If your website is not working, there could be several reasons ranging from DNS issues, server problems, or configuration errors. This guide will help you identify the cause and provide solutions to get your website back online using OzSpeed’s hPanel.
Step 1: Check Website Status #
The first step is to determine if the issue is affecting everyone or just you.
How to Check: #
- Use a tool like Down For Everyone Or Just Me to see if your website is down globally.
- Open your website in an incognito/private browsing window or use a different browser.
Tip: #
- If your website loads in incognito mode but not in a regular browser window, try clearing your browser cache.
Step 2: Verify DNS Settings #
If your website shows a “Server Not Found” or “DNS Error,” it might be a DNS configuration issue.
How to Check DNS Settings: #
- Log in to hPanel at ozspeed.com.au.
- Go to Domains > DNS Settings.
- Verify that your DNS records (e.g., A Record, CNAME) are pointing to the correct server IP address.
Example A Record: #
| Type | Name | Value | TTL |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | @ | 203.0.113.123 | Auto |
Tip: #
- Allow up to 24-48 hours for DNS changes to propagate.
Step 3: Check Server Status #
Your website may not be working due to server maintenance or an outage.
How to Check Server Status: #
- Go to Hosting > Manage Hosting in hPanel.
- Click on Server Status to check if there are any ongoing server issues or maintenance.
Tip: #
- If there is a server outage, wait for the issue to be resolved. You can contact OzSpeed Support for more information.
Step 4: Verify SSL Certificate #
If your website shows a “Not Secure” warning or won’t load with HTTPS, there may be an issue with your SSL certificate.
How to Check SSL: #
- Go to Security > SSL/TLS in hPanel.
- Verify that SSL is enabled for your domain.
- If the SSL certificate is expired or missing, click Reissue SSL.
Tip: #
- Enable Force HTTPS in hPanel to ensure all traffic is redirected to the secure version of your site.
Step 5: Clear Cache #
Sometimes, cached data can cause issues, making it appear as if your website is not working.
How to Clear Cache: #
- Go to Performance > Caching in hPanel.
- Click Clear All Cache to remove cached files.
Clear Browser Cache: #
- Open your browser settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security > Clear Browsing Data.
- Select Cached Images and Files and click Clear Data.
Tip: #
- Use an incognito window to bypass cached data.
Step 6: Check Website Files #
Your website may not work if essential files are missing or corrupted.
How to Check Files: #
- Go to Files > File Manager in hPanel.
- Open the public_html folder and ensure all necessary files (e.g.,
index.html,wp-config.php) are present. - If files are missing, restore them from a backup.
Tip: #
- Use the Preview feature in hPanel to quickly check if your files are intact.
Step 7: Check Database Connection #
A “Database Connection Error” usually indicates an issue with your database credentials.
How to Fix Database Connection: #
- Go to Databases > phpMyAdmin in hPanel.
- Verify that the database exists and is not corrupted.
- Open the wp-config.php file (for WordPress sites) and check the database credentials:phpCopy code
define('DB_NAME', 'your_database_name'); define('DB_USER', 'your_database_user'); define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_database_password'); define('DB_HOST', 'localhost'); - Update any incorrect details and save the file.
Tip: #
- If the database is corrupted, try restoring it from a backup.
Step 8: Disable Plugins and Themes (For WordPress) #
A faulty plugin or theme can cause your website to break.
How to Disable Plugins: #
- Go to Files > File Manager in hPanel.
- Navigate to wp-content/plugins.
- Rename the plugins folder to plugins_old to disable all plugins.
How to Disable Theme: #
- Go to wp-content/themes.
- Rename the active theme folder (e.g., theme_old) to disable it.
- Your website will revert to the default theme.
Tip: #
- Enable plugins one by one to identify the problematic plugin.
Step 9: Check Error Logs #
Error logs can provide detailed information about what’s causing your website to fail.
How to View Error Logs: #
- In hPanel, go to Advanced > Logs.
- Open the Error Logs section.
- Look for recent errors and troubleshoot based on the log entries.
Tip: #
- Common errors include 500 Internal Server Error (often due to server misconfiguration) and 404 Not Found (missing files).
Step 10: Contact OzSpeed Support #
If you’ve tried all the steps above and your website is still not working, it’s time to get professional help.
How to Contact Support: #
- Go to Support > Contact Us in hPanel.
- Provide details about the issue, including any error messages you’ve encountered.
- Submit a support ticket for further assistance.
Tip: #
- Include screenshots or detailed descriptions of the problem to help the support team diagnose the issue quickly.
Troubleshooting Tips #
- Website Loading Slowly:
- Enable caching and use a CDN like Cloudflare.
- Optimize images and reduce the number of plugins.
- Mixed Content Warning:
- Update all internal links to use HTTPS instead of HTTP.
- Use a plugin like Really Simple SSL in WordPress to fix mixed content issues.
- Website Redirecting to Another URL:
- Check the .htaccess file for any unwanted redirects.
- Clear the browser cache and check the DNS settings.
Additional Tips: #
- Regular Backups: Schedule regular backups in hPanel to prevent data loss.
- Enable Maintenance Mode: Use Maintenance Mode while troubleshooting to prevent visitors from seeing a broken website.
- Monitor Website Uptime: Use tools like UptimeRobot to receive alerts if your website goes down.
