While surfing the internet, we all have come across some of the errors when we click on a specific website. Some of the errors get fixed instantly while some do not. One of such errors is HTTP error 502 known as Bad Gateway. This error comes under HTTP error 5xx known as Server Error. This error usually occurs from the server end’s which means that the server is unable to fulfill your request.

So, let's dig in and find out what exactly is this Error 502 and whether or not we can fix it!

What is a 502 Error?

As mentioned above, Error 502-Error Bad Gateway comes under the 5th category i.e., the Server Error Status Code. When you enter a website and get encountered with this error, it means that the server got an invalid response from another server which is an upstream server,  while acting as a proxy or gateway. 

Gateway is a networking hardware tool used for transmission of data from one to another discrete network. So, when you click on a website, it sends a request to the server used by the website owner and then the server used by you acts as a gateway which transmits the data to the website. But during that transmission, sometimes it gets an invalid response as a result of which, we get a Bad Gateway error.

Now, you must assume what is an upstream server mentioned. Well, an upstream server is a server that transmits data from a local machine ( in this case, your computer/system) to a server (here, the server used by the website you want to access). Some of the other errors are the 504 gateway timeout error

Hence, Error 502 i.e., Bad Gateway error is an HTTP error status code that occurs when your request remains unfulfilled because a server gets an invalid response from the upstream server”.

But now the question is why does it happen? Why does it get an invalid response when a request is sent?

Reasons, why you get this error!

Well, there are some mistakes either from our side or from the server’s that leads to this error. And in this case, it does have a number of causes for it to happen. 

• An inaccurate URL: We all have gone through this. We sometimes type an incorrect web address due to which the server receives an invalid response from your request.
• The cache of your browser: We go through a number of websites while researching or surfing, due to which we accept numerous cookies and the browser's cache gets affected and corrupts the internet data.
• Network issues: sometimes the server goes through overloading due to network issues. When many try to enter the same website, it creates traffic which results in receiving an invalid response and your requests remain unfulfilled resulting in Bad Gateway.
• The DNS: The DNS i.e., the Domain Name System can cause error 502 while translating the URL into the IP address. This can result in getting an invalid response and your request might get canceled.

Fixing the error 502- Bad Gateway.

Well, all problems come with a solution. So are there any solutions to resolve this 502 error? Yes, of course, there are!! Mostly, the errors are on the user’s side. So, it is quite possible to fix this error by applying the below solutions.

• Simply, Refresh!!

Sometimes it's all because of the network. Your network might have got disrupted while connecting to the website. So this error might occur for a temporary period of time. Therefore, if you come across this error, first refresh the page. Give it two more shots if it's not fixed for the first time.

• Is it your browser or the site is actually down?

The error 502 can be temporary. It might be the website is down due to which you get this error. So there are tools available online, to check whether or not the website is down or not. All you have to do is type “Tool to check the website is down or not” in your search engine and go to one of the results. Then type the URL of the website that gives you an error. It will show you whether or not the site is down or it’s an error from your end.

• Take the help of another browser.

Sometimes your browser does not support some websites or there must an issue with your browser. So to check that always use another browser to open the same website. If it opens, then look at the previous browser for change. You can use, Google,  Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, etc. If you see the same error, then there is an issue with the server but not your browser.

• Keep an eye on those cookies and cache.

As we go through different browsers, there might be a chance that your main browser's cache must have been outdated or must include some corrupted files that create this Bad Gateway. So, go to your browser's settings and clear those cache and cookies. Then try to open the desired website.

• Look out for the extensions and plugins.

Extensions are cool sometimes, right? You can really design your browser. But one of the extensions might be possible for being a cause of this error. So, disable the extension and then try to access the website again. If not, then maybe the plugins are causing the error. Therefore, one by one, enable those plugins and check out the issue.

• Look out for the DNS.

Your DNS might cause you this error. So, it is better that you change the DNS server. It might not be considered as a 100% resolve, but it can be possible to be the one. It is not rocket science to change the DNS if you have changed by yourself once. ISP sets up your DNS. So, all you can do is changing the already set DNS to a third-party DNS server such as Google DNS or OpenDNS. And then try accessing the website. Also, changing the DNS server might not only fix the error 502, but it guarantees reliability and better speed.

• If nothing, then Restart your system

The best solution to be honest. You tried refreshing! Checked those cache,  cookies, extensions, and plugins. Even changed the browser. But still, the result is the same. Error 502- Bad Gateway. What else can you try? Well, let's try restarting the system because maybe it's something on our end, not the browser. Maybe it is our network devices that creating an issue. So, restart your system and check if it's resolving the issue.

Fixing an error is not that difficult as it seems. All errors are fixable as it is created on our own end. So, if you ever come across this error, do try out the above-mentioned solutions. For sure, your error will get fixed within some time.