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Resolving WordPress Redirect Loops and 301 Errors in .htaccess

22 threads Sep 7, 2025 Core → Networking wordpress

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Redirect loops and misconfigured 301 redirects are among the most common and frustrating issues faced by WordPress site owners. These problems often manifest as "ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS" in the browser or cause unexpected behavior like non-existent pages redirecting to a homepage instead of showing a 404 error. Based on community discussions, this guide explains why these issues occur and provides the most effective solutions.

Why Do Redirect Loops and Errors Happen?

Redirect issues in WordPress typically stem from conflicts within the site's configuration. The most common causes are:

  • Conflicting Redirect Rules: Multiple systems (e.g., WordPress, a caching plugin, Cloudflare, and the server's .htaccess file) trying to enforce the same rule, such as forcing HTTPS or adding a www prefix.
  • Incorrect .htaccess Syntax: A single misplaced character or incorrect regular expression in an .htaccess file can create an infinite loop, resulting in a 500 error.
  • Multisite Complexity: The default WordPress multisite .htaccess rules are intricate. Adding custom redirects on top of them without a deep understanding often leads to conflicts, such as a deactivated subsite not redirecting properly.
  • Cached Redirects: Browsers and external testing tools often aggressively cache 301 (permanent) redirects. Even after you fix the problem, an old, cached redirect might still be reported for some time.

Common Solutions to Fix Redirect Problems

1. Audit and Simplify Your .htaccess File

The .htaccess file is often the primary culprit. The 'Networking WordPress' team suggests keeping this file as simple as possible. For basic domain-level redirects (e.g., forcing www or HTTPS), consolidate your rules. A recommended, combined approach is:

RewriteEngine On

# Force HTTPS and www in a single rule
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www. [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^(?:www.)?(yourdomain.com)$ [NC]
RewriteRule ^ https://www.%1%{REQUEST_URI} [R=301,L]

Important: Always place custom redirect rules above the default WordPress rewrite block. Rules placed after it will likely be ignored.

2. Check for Configuration Conflicts

If you use a service like Cloudflare, ensure you are not duplicating efforts. For example, if you have "Always Use HTTPS" enabled in your Cloudflare SSL/TLS settings, you should not also have a force HTTPS rule in your .htaccess file. Choose one method to avoid a loop.

3. Use a Redirection Plugin for Complex URL Changes

For redirecting specific posts or pages (e.g., changing a permalink structure), manually editing .htaccess is error-prone. Community members frequently recommend using a dedicated plugin like Redirection. These plugins provide a user-friendly interface to manage 301 redirects, monitor 404 errors, and even import redirects in bulk, saving significant time and preventing syntax errors.

4. Clear All Caches

After making any changes, clear every cache involved:

  • Your WordPress caching plugin (e.g., WP Super Cache).
  • Your browser cache.
  • Server-level caches (e.g., LiteSpeed or Varnish).
  • CDN caches (e.g., Cloudflare).

Remember that 301 redirects are "permanent" and can be stubbornly cached by browsers. It may take some time or a hard refresh (Ctrl+F5) for the fix to be visible to you.

5. Troubleshoot Multisite Redirects Carefully

Redirecting an entire deactivated subsite in a multisite network is a advanced task. The standard .htaccess rules may interfere. Community findings suggest that successful multisite redirects often require highly specific conditions that match the old site's path exactly. If a plugin fails, carefully test any custom .htaccess rules in a staging environment first.

When to Be Patient

Some issues resolve with time. After implementing proper 301 redirects, search engines like Google need to re-crawl your site to index the new URLs and transfer ranking signals. This process can take from a few days to several weeks. Monitoring Google Search Console for crawl errors is the best way to track this progress.

By methodically checking for conflicts, simplifying configuration, and using the right tools, most redirect issues can be resolved efficiently.

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