RedirectLoops

RedirectLoops occur when a sequence of URL redirects forms an endless cycle, preventing a request from reaching a final destination. This condition typically arises from misconfigurations or conflicting redirect rules that cause a server, CDN, or client to repeatedly send a request to another URL already seen in the chain.

Common causes include circular redirects where URL A redirects to B and B redirects back to A, inconsistent canonicalization between www and non-www or http and https, and mismatched trailing slash handling. Other sources are chained redirects that extend beyond a reasonable limit, or server-side rewrite rules that generate contradictory targets. Client-side code that changes location in a way that interacts with server redirects can also contribute.

The effects are users receiving browser errors such as “Too many redirects” or a redirect loop message. This results in degraded user experience, increased network traffic, and potential caching complications. From an SEO perspective, search engines may fail to index the page correctly, leading to diminished rankings or crawl inefficiency if loops persist.

Diagnostics involve examining the redirect chain with browser developer tools or command-line tools (for example, inspecting the Location headers and the sequence of responses). Logs from the web server, application, or CDN can reveal repeating targets. A practical check is to trace redirects step by step to identify where the cycle begins.

Mitigation focuses on terminating the chain and avoiding loops: ensure redirects point to a stable final URL, unify domain canonicalization, prefer permanent redirects to a final destination, and implement cycle detection or redirect limits on the server. Regular audits of redirect rules help prevent future loops.