How to Fix a 408 Request Timeout Error

Methods to Fix a 408 Request Timeout Error

by Tim Fisher
Tim Fisher has 30+ years' professional technology support experience. He writes troubleshooting content and is the General Manager of Lifewire.
Updated November 11, 2019

The 408 Request Timeout error is an HTTP status code that means the request you sent to the website server (e.g. a request to load a web page) took longer than the website's server was prepared to wait. In other words, your connection with the website "timed out."

408 Request Timeout error messages are often customized by each website, especially very large ones, so keep in mind that this error may present itself in more ways than the common ones listed below:

408: Request Timeout
HTTP Error 408 - Request Timeout

The 408 Request Timeout error displays inside the internet browser window, just as web pages do.

Cause of 408 Request Timeout Errors

Illustration of a frustrated person looking at a 408 Request Time-out on a computer
Lifewire / Theresa Chiechi

The most common cause of a 408 Request Timeout error is an incorrect URL. It could also be caused by a slow connection or connectivity issues.

How to Fix the 408 Request Timeout Error

Errors Like 408 Request Timeout

The following messages are also client-side errors and so are somewhat related to the 408 Request Timeout error: 400 Bad Request, 401 Unauthorized, 403 Forbidden, and 404 Not Found.

A number of server-side HTTP status codes also exist, like the commonly seen 500 Internal Server Error, among several others. See all of them in our HTTP Status Code Errors list.

  1. Retry the web page by clicking the refresh/reload button or trying the URL from the address bar again. Many times a slow connection causes a delay that prompts the 408 Request Timeout error and this is often only temporary. Trying the page again will often be successful.

    If the 408 Request Timeout error message appears during the checkout process at an online merchant, be aware that duplicate attempts to checkout may end up creating multiple orders - and multiple charges! Most merchants have automatic protections from these kinds of actions but it's still something to keep in mind.

  2. You may be experiencing an issue with your internet connection that's causing long delays when accessing pages. To rule this out, visit another website like Google or Yahoo. If the pages load as fast as you're used to seeing them load, the issue causing the 408 Request Timeout error is probably with the website.

  3. If all websites are running slow, however, your internet connection may be having issues. Run an Internet speed test to benchmark your current bandwidth or contact your Internet Service Provider for technical support.

  4. Come back later. The 408 Request Timeout error is a common error message on very popular websites when a huge increase in traffic by visitors (that's you!) is overwhelming the servers. As more and more visitors leave the website, the chances of a successful page load for you increases.

  5. If all else fails, you may want to attempt to contact the webmaster or another site contact and inform them of the 408 Request Timeout error message.

The webmaster of most websites can be reached via email at webmaster@website.com, replacing website.com with the actual website name.