If you’re a website owner, you know how irritating it can be when it fails. You get online expecting things to run smoothly, only to be met with a total shutdown. Without any obvious answers, you’re likely going to be left in the dark wondering “What’s wrong with WordPress today?” “How come my links are busted?” or “Why is my Wix website not working?”
Unfortunately, there are many reasons why websites can encounter technical difficulties, and it’s best to be prepared for troubleshooting in advance. Errors can range from crashing software to the dreaded “404 not found” screen, and how you address them can depend on a variety of complex factors.
Fortunately, if you understand common problems that affect your Wix site you’ll be familiar with how to handle issues that can affect almost any platform. To save yourself time and energy, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with standard errors and common ways to resolve them. These technical hiccups just happen sometimes, so let’s explore 14 of the most common errors and what to do about them to get your site back up and running in no time.
1. Can’t View the Live Site
When your website doesn’t appear like it should, the first thing to check is your internet connection. Make sure you have a secure and reliable connection before moving on to more technical troubleshooting. A handy online tool to check your upload and download speeds is Speedtest by Ookla.
If your hookup is reliable, the next step is to use an online tool like Is It Down Right Now? to check if the site is running but your browsers are not displaying it correctly. Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies can also provide a quick and easy solution.
FYI: A cache is temporary data stored on your computer or device, like your web browser or smartphone. Whenever you access a website, your computer automatically stores certain data to make it easier for future visits. Emptying your cache can erase the stored data and free up memory.
If those two tests indicate your website isn’t working as expected, it’s time to dive into the nitty gritty.
First, check your router. Ensure all the cables are plugged in correctly, and the router is powered on. If you have a wireless router (no cables), try moving closer so the connection is at its most potent. If that doesn’t fix it, you can always try using an Ethernet cable to eliminate a purely wireless problem.
If you can connect to the internet, there’s a chance that the problem may be with your website’s servers. If that’s the case, contact the hosting provider, and they should be able to help you resolve the issue.
Finally, remember that many more technical issues can cause your Wix website to malfunction. If none of these steps have worked, consider diving into more technical results, like checking the browser’s settings, running diagnostics, and scanning for malicious programs or viruses. And when in doubt, contact a professional!
2. 401 Unauthorized Error
This frustrating setback pops up when there is an incorrect username or password. The corresponding message is a reminder to double-check your account credentials. Be sure you’re typing in the correct information and that it matches what you set up initially. After resolving the issue, you should be able to publish your website.
3. 403 Forbidden Error
This occurs when the server isn’t allowing your specific IP address access to the page. It typically means you must modify an existing .htaccess file or make a new one to allow access.
4. 404 Not Found Error
This hiccup occurs when the page you’re looking for can’t be found. It can be terrifying, because instead of asking “Why is my Wix website not working?” you’ll be wondering “Does my site still exist at all?!?”
Fortunately, it’s almost never a make-or-break moment for your business. The most common cause is the page was either accidentally deleted or moved around on the server, and in many cases it’s easily retrievable from a backup or resolvable with a simple phone call. In the meantime, try checking the exact URL you’re attempting to access for typos and make sure you’re not using any outdated links.
5. 500 Internal Server Error
This type of error can come from a variety of sources, and it’s usually a good idea to contact your hosting company to investigate the issue further. It could be something with Wix’s server or a server-side problem with another external source.
6. 502 Bad Gateway Error
Similar to the 500 error, the 502 error is a server-side issue. It’s more commonly seen when two servers can’t communicate on the same port, so the request sent from one server can’t be received by the other. While clearing your cookies and cache may help this problem, it’s likely best to contact your hosting service for more help figuring out the source of this issue.
7. 10104 Error
This code indicates that Wix cannot recognize the URL. Check the URL, ensure it’s correctly linked, and ensure the file path matches it. No matter how technical these errors might seem, don’t panic: customer service is the go-to if nothing else works.
8. Unable to Load Update Images
When you try to upload images, you may see an error message saying, “Encountered an error: unable to load the new image.” A slow connection or a temporary server issue causes this. You can try refreshing your page or clearing your cache to fix it, and the steps you use depend on the browser you’re working on at the time.
9. Can’t Clear Cache
Sometimes, the cache won’t clear, which can pose a problem. To solve this, first log out of your Wix account. Then, reboot your computer and try clearing the cache again.
10. Flushing Your DNS Cache
Your domain name server (DNS) cache is a database your web host manages. It records all website addresses you’ve recently visited so that the computer can access them faster when you revisit them.
When you make changes to your website, sometimes the DNS cache prevents them from appearing until it’s updated. If you’re ready to take the plunge, here’s how to flush the DNS cache in Wix.
- Log in to your Wix account
- Click on “My Domain”
- Click “Advanced Settings”
- Scroll down to “DNS”
- Click on “Flush DNS Cache”
And that’s it! Your website should start working correctly once you’ve replaced the DNS cache with your most recent changes.
11. The Browser Isn’t Working or Isn’t Compatible
One of the most common reasons your Wix site may not work is that it’s incompatible with your browser. Make sure you’re using the most up-to-date version, and double-check that you have the correct settings for your Wix site.
12. Clearing Cookies
If you’re still having trouble, try clearing your cookies. To do this, open the settings tab for your browser, select “Clear Cookies” and hit “Confirm”. Refresh your page and try again.
13. Can’t Log In
If you have difficulty logging in, double-check that you have the correct email address and password. You may also need to reset your password, or you might have enabled two-factor authentication.
14. Editor Issues
Finally, if your website isn’t working correctly in the Editor, you may need to upgrade your browser or try a different one.
Let Buddy Figure Out Your Website Issues
No matter how technical some of these errors may seem, don’t worry! As frustrating as it is, you don’t have to spend the rest of your life wondering “why is my Wix website not working?” (or any other platform!).
Hiring a team of experienced website professionals like Buddy Web Design and Development can save you time and alleviate the headaches of a website that’s barely getting the job done. We’re experts at troubleshooting all your online concerns, and we’re committed to empowering your vision with the gorgeous design, thoughtful layout, and the business tools you need to give your customers the inspiring experience they deserve. We can even help you transition your website seamlessly from Wix to WordPress if you choose that solution for your Wix website troubles.
So, let’s work together to ensure your website looks great, functions seamlessly, and establishes you as a leader in your field!
