5xx server error on WhatsApp generally occurs when there is an issue with the WhatsApp server. However, sometimes, the problem may also occur due to network issue at your end.
This problem hampers the smooth operation of WhatsApp, which is otherwise a reliable messaging platform.
This also stops you from sending or receiving messages/calls from your friends and family via this platform.
If the problem is at the server’s end, no hacks/solutions will help you solve the 5xx server error problem in WhatsApp. You have to patiently wait till the server is back online.
What can you do when WhatsApp shows 5xx Error?
- First of all, check if there is any network issue at your end. To find out, simply browse other sites and check if they are working.
- Visit https://downdetector.com to check the real-time status of the WhatsApp server.
- You can also visit https://www.speedtest.net to test your network strength.
- Connecting to a VPN or a proxy server may also solve the issue if the issue is location specific.
What is 5xx Server Error?
5xx server error, as the name suggests, is an error that occurs generally due to a server outage. This kind of error gives fatal blows to the software or script, leading to app crashes.
It can also happen if the app server is under maintenance. Even a network issue at your end may also be responsible for this error.
How long does a 5xx error last normally?
5xx server error generally lasts for a few minutes to a few hours. It depends on the time taken by the site developers/ programmers to solve the issue.
5xx Server Error on WhatsApp
5xx server error in WhatsApp is caused mainly because of problems in the WhatsApp server. But sometimes, it may occur due to a network issue at your end.
This type of error occurs generally when you are trying to connect to WhatsApp web using a browser.
Types of 5xx Server Error
These are the common 5xx server errors :
500: Internal Server Error
This type of error occurs when the server has encountered an unexpected condition preventing it from fulfilling the request. It happens when the server is unable to find out the exact problem.
501: Not Implemented
This type of error occurs when the server doesn’t support the functionality which is required to fulfil the request.
502: Bad Gateway
This type of error occurs when the server received invalid response from the upstream server when it was acting as proxy or gateway.
503: Service Unavailable
This type of error occurs when the server is not ready to handle the request because of overloading or any maintenance in progress.
504: Gateway Timeout
This type of error hints that the web server, while attempting to load a webpage, did not receive a timely response from an upstream server.
What Causes 5xx Server Error on WhatsApp or Any Other Platforms
These are the probable causes of 5xx server error in WhatsApp or any other similar platforms:
1. Configuration Issue in the Server
5xx server issue can occur if the server is improperly configured.
2. Server Outage
If the server/data center is down, this error will occur.
3. Development issue
Development issues may also be the culprit. If the developers make a testing site live without properly testing it, this error may occur.
4. Cyber Attack on the Site Server
If the server is attacked by hackers, it will crash because of its inability to handle sudden traffic increases.
5. Network issue at the Clients’ end
A network problem on the client side may also cause 5xx server error.
How to Fix 5xx Server Error
This is how you solve 5xx server error:
1. Refresh browser
Some server errors are temporary. Therefore, reloading the webpage may fix the issue. Close the current page and then, re-enter website URL to visit the site again for refreshing the browsing page.
2. Try clearing Cookies & Site Data of browser
Clearing cookies and then refreshing the browser may solve the 5xx server error. This is how to clear the cookies:
A) For Google Chrome:
1. Click on the 3 dots icon on the top corner of the extreme right and then select Settings.
2. Hit Privacy and security.
3. Then, choose Clear browsing data.
4. Select the Advanced tab and make sure the Time range is set to All time. Then, click Clear data.
B) For Mozilla Firefox:
1. Click on the 3 parallel lines icon on the top corner of the extreme right and then select Settings.
2. Choose Privacy and security.
3. Scroll down to Cookies and Site Data section. Then, hit Clear Data.
4. Click Clear.
5. Finally, confirm by selecting Clear now.
3. Fix any network-related issue
Check whether you have any network connectivity issues.
Switch to Wi-Fi connection or toggle Mobile data OFF and ON to see if it fixes the problem. Also, try switching ON and OFF Airplane mode.
To know the network strength, visit https://www.speedtest.net and click Go.
4. Use a VPN or a proxy
If the server outage is not global, and only some regions are affected by the outage, you can solve the issue by connecting to a VPN or a proxy for changing the original IP address/location.
5. Get in touch with the server/host
If the issue still persists, then the problem is on the host’s side (server’s side). There is a higher chance that the developers/programmers are working to get the server back online as soon as possible.
But you can always contact them to know the approximate time they will take to get the server back online.
How to Fix 5xx Server Error in WhatsApp
These are the possible solutions to fix 5xx server error in WhatsApp:
1. Fix any network connectivity problems
Check whether there are any network issues on your side. There are a few ways to do it. You may visit other websites and check if they are running.
If they are running, then the problem is related to WhatsApp server. But if they are not, then you probably have slow internet.
You may also visit https://www.speedtest.net and test your network strength.
If your internet speed is good, then you don’t need to worry about the internet connection. But if you have weak internet, you should troubleshoot your network to fix the internet issue.
Here are a few hacks you should consider:
1. Troubleshoot your Wi-fi/Modem.
2. Switch OFF and ON Wi-fi/Mobile data.
3. Change ISP/Contact your ISP to solve the network issue.
4. Restart device.
2. Refresh the Whatsapp Webpage
Try refreshing the Whatsapp Webpage. If the problem is temporary, this trick will help fix it.
3. Clear Browser cookies and site data
Try clearing browser cookies and site data to fix the problem
We have already discussed how to clear browser cookies in the previous section.
4. Use a VPN
VPN will help change your IP address/ location. Thus, if the 5xx server issue is location specific, it will help you solve the problem.
Surfshark is a brilliant VPN for bypassing your IP address and keeping your identity secret, thus protecting you from online threats.
Don’t forget to refresh the webpage after connecting to a VPN.
5. Use a Proxy
You can try using proxy servers for WhatsApp. The most notable proxy servers are ProxyEmpire, BeeProxy, PrivateProxy, etc.
6. Wait till the server is back online
If your internet connectivity is alright and connecting to a VPN or a proxy didn’t solve the issue, then it’s a global server outage.
Check the real-time status of the Whatsapp server by visiting https://downdetector.com.
If the outage is global, you can’t do anything to fix it. You just need to be patient and wait till the server is back up and running.
The developers/ programmers will soon solve the problem and the site will be back online.
How to Solve 5xx Server Error on Facebook/Instagram
These are the ways to solve 5xx server error on Facebook/ Instagram:
- Try restarting the Facebook/Instagram Application.
- Fix any Internet issues.
- Switch to a Wi-Fi connection.
- Toggle Mobile Data Off & On.
- Try Restarting your device.
- Update the Facebook/Instagram Application.
- Try Reinstalling Facebook/Instagram Application.
- Use Facebook/Instagram on a web browser.
- Try re-logging into your Facebook/Instagram account.
- If the server is down, Wait till the server is back online.
Why am I Unable to Send WhatsApp Videos?
You are unable to send a WhatsApp video probably because you don’t have a working internet connection.
It can also happen if the video (or any other file) you are trying to send is over 16 MB. Either the video is too lengthy or has high resolution.
It’s true that WhatsApp also compresses the file. But there is a certain limit up to which WhatsApp can compress files. It can’t compress a 500MB file and magically make it a 15 MB file.
Fixes to solve the issue:
1. Check whether you have any internet problems.
2. Compress the video file and then, send it.
We have two detailed guides on compressing videos:
How to compress Videos on Windows
How to Compress Videos on Android
3. Fix any network issues.
4. Trim the video (Remove any unnecessary parts from the video) and send it.
We have two detailed guides on trimming videos:
5. Correct the time & date of your device.
Recap: Whatsapp 5xx Server Error
Whatsapp 5xx server error simply means there’s server issue at WhatsApp’s end or network issue at your end.
If the Whatsapp 5xx server error is because of a global Whatsapp server outage, unfortunately, you cannot do anything to solve the problem. You have to wait till the server is back online.
You may visit https://downdetector.com to learn the real-time status of the WhatsApp server and see whether the Whatsapp server is down or not.
You could also diagnose your internet connection and check whether any network issue is causing the error. Lastly, try connecting to a VPN and check whether it solves the issue.
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