Types of error in hosting

May 30, 2024

When it comes to web hosting, various types of errors can occur that may affect the availability and performance of websites. These errors can be categorized into several types based on their causes and the components they affect. Here are the main types of errors in hosting:

Types of error:

1. HTTP Errors

These types of errors are related to issues encountered by the web server when processing HTTP requests.

  • 400 Bad Request: The server cannot process the request due to client error (e.g., malformed request syntax).
  • 401 Unauthorized: The request requires user authentication.
  • 403 Forbidden: The server understood the request but refuses to authorize it.
  • 404 Not Found: The requested resource could not be found on the server.
  • 500 Internal Server Error: A generic error message when the server encounters an unexpected condition.
  • 502 Bad Gateway: The server received an invalid response from the upstream server.
  • 503 Service Unavailable: The server is currently unable to handle the request, often due to temporary overload or maintenance.

2. DNS Errors

These errors relate to issues with domain name system (DNS) configuration.

  • DNS Server Not Responding: The DNS server is not reachable.
  • Domain Not Found: The domain name cannot be resolved to an IP address.
  • Misconfigured DNS Records: Incorrect DNS settings (e.g., A, CNAME, MX records) that prevent proper resolution.

3. Server Errors

These are issues directly related to the web server or the hosting environment.

  • Server Overload: Excessive traffic or resource consumption leading to slow performance or crashes.
  • Resource Limit Reached: Limits on CPU, memory, or disk space are exceeded.
  • Server Downtime: The server is offline due to maintenance or unexpected failures.
  • Misconfigured Server Settings: Incorrect server configuration files (e.g., Apache or Nginx settings).

4. Database Errors

Errors related to database connectivity and operations.

  • Connection Timeout: The application cannot establish a connection to the database.
  • Database Not Found: The specified database does not exist.
  • Query Errors: Syntax errors in SQL queries or issues with database schema.
  • Corrupted Database: Data corruption due to improper shutdowns, hardware failures, or software bugs.

5. Application Errors

Errors within the web application code or environment.

  • Code Bugs: Programming errors leading to unexpected behavior or crashes.
  • Dependency Issues: Missing or incompatible libraries, frameworks, or packages.
  • Configuration Errors: Incorrect application settings (e.g., incorrect environment variables).
  • Security Vulnerabilities: Exploits due to insufficient security measures (e.g., SQL injection, XSS).

6. Network Errors

Issues with the network infrastructure that affect connectivity.

  • Latency: High latency affecting the speed of data transmission.
  • Packet Loss: Data packets are lost during transmission.
  • Bandwidth Limitations: Insufficient bandwidth leading to slow loading times or connection drops.

7. Email Errors

Issues related to email services provided by the hosting environment.

  • SMTP Errors: Problems with sending emails (e.g., server not responding, authentication failed).
  • Email Bouncing: Emails returned due to issues like non-existent addresses or spam filters.
  • Mail Server Misconfiguration: Incorrect settings preventing email delivery or reception.

8. SSL/TLS Errors

Issues related to secure connections.

  • Certificate Expired: The SSL/TLS certificate has expired and needs renewal.
  • Certificate Mismatch: The certificate does not match the domain name.
  • Insecure Connection: Issues with establishing a secure connection (e.g., outdated protocols).

9. Connection Refused by Host:

This error message, like the 403 error, usually means that the user does not have the authorisation to access the site or that an attempted login failed, usually because the password was incorrect. If you’ve recently updated your login credentials, make sure that you are using the correct information. If this problem persists, contact your hosting provider for additional help in troubleshooting the issue.

10. File Contains No Data:

Users will see a File Contains No Data error when a page is present, but nothing shows up. This can be caused by bad table formatting or stripped header information. Try running an integrity check on your database to make sure there are no issues with the structure. If that doesn’t work, get in touch with a developer who can help you find and resolve the issue.

11. Cannot Add Form Submission Result to Bookmark List:

When a user attempts to save a type of form that is not a document or a web address, they will get this error.

12. Helper Application Not Found:

This error may appear when a server cannot find the helper application required to download a file.

Addressing these errors typically involves a combination of troubleshooting steps, such as checking server logs, verifying configurations, ensuring up-to-date software, and sometimes consulting with the hosting provider’s support team.