Experiencing redirect loops or unwanted redirects on multiple WordPress sites? Here’s a guide to diagnosing and fixing the problem.
Common Causes & Fixes
1. Incorrect WordPress URL Settings
Check if the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) are correctly set.
Fix: Update URLs in wp-config.php if access to the dashboard is lost.
define('WP_HOME', 'https://yourwebsite.com');
define('WP_SITEURL', 'https://yourwebsite.com');
Replace yourwebsite.com with your actual domain.
2. Redirects from .htaccess File
Misconfigured .htaccess rules can cause infinite redirects.
Fix: Reset .htaccess by replacing its content with the default WordPress rules.
# BEGIN WordPress
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
# END WordPress
3. Conflicting Plugins Causing Redirects
SEO, security, or redirection plugins may be forcing unwanted redirects.
Fix: Disable all plugins via FTP by renaming the plugins folder:
- Connect via FTP/SFTP.
- Go to
wp-content. - Rename the
pluginsfolder toplugins-disabled. - Check if the issue is resolved.
4. Force HTTPS Redirect Issues
Improper HTTPS settings may cause redirect loops.
Fix: Modify .htaccess for proper HTTPS enforcement.
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} !=on
RewriteRule ^ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
5. Incorrect Redirect Rules in Database
Manual redirects in the database may be interfering.
Fix: Run the following SQL query via phpMyAdmin to find redirects:
SELECT * FROM wp_options WHERE option_name LIKE '%redirect%';
If any incorrect rules are found, update them manually or delete unnecessary ones.
6. Cloudflare or CDN Issues
If using Cloudflare or a CDN, incorrect page rules may trigger redirects.
Fix: Disable Cloudflare’s “Always Use HTTPS” setting and check redirect rules.
7. Theme Issues
Some themes have built-in redirects that might cause conflicts.
Fix: Switch to a default WordPress theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-Four) and check.
Final Checks
- ✔ Clear browser and server cache.
- ✔ Use https://redirectdetective.com to trace redirect chains.
- ✔ Test on different devices and networks.
Still facing issues? Let me know the specific redirect behavior!