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Fix Common Cloudflare Connection Problems

This guide helps you work out why your site shows an error or acts strangely after you use Cloudflare.

Speed and Performance2 min read14 steps

What is happening?

Cloudflare sits between your visitors and your server. A visitor talks to Cloudflare, and Cloudflare talks to your server. If either link breaks, the visitor sees an error. Your job is to find which link is the problem.

The error page usually names the problem. It may also show a number, such as 520, 521, 522, 523 or 525. It often shows a Ray ID too. This is a code that identifies that one visit.

Step 1: Read the error

  1. Open your site and look at the error page.
  2. Note the number and the Ray ID.
  3. Check whether the page says the problem is the browser, Cloudflare or the host.

Step 2: Check your server is online

  1. Pause Cloudflare for a moment, as described in the Cloudflare pause steps, or make the DNS record cloud grey.
  2. Open the site again.
  3. If the site works, Cloudflare is the likely cause. If it still fails, your server is the problem. Open a support ticket.

Step 3: Check your DNS records

DNS is like a phone book for the internet. It turns a website name into a number that computers understand.

  1. Log in to Cloudflare and click your domain.
  2. Open DNS and then Records.
  3. Check that the A record points to the right IP address. An IP address is the number that identifies a server. Your welcome email shows the right one, or ask Hostvento support.

Step 4: Check the SSL mode

SSL keeps the link to a site private. A wrong mode often causes redirect loops or 525 errors.

  1. Open SSL/TLS in the left menu.
  2. Look at the mode. If your server has a valid SSL certificate, Full or Full (strict) is a good choice.
  3. If your server has no certificate, ask Hostvento support how to get one.

Step 5: Check for blocks

  • A firewall on your server may block Cloudflare's addresses. Ask Hostvento support to check.
  • Look at Security and Events in Cloudflare. They show requests that were blocked.
  • Check your page rules for a wrong rule.

Step 6: Clear caches

  1. In Cloudflare, open Caching and click Purge Everything.
  2. Clear your browser cache.
Tip: When you open a support ticket at https://secure.hostvento.com/submitticket.php, include the error number, the Ray ID and the time. It helps us find the cause faster.

Quick recap

  • Read the error number and Ray ID.
  • Pause Cloudflare to see if your server works alone.
  • Check DNS records and the SSL mode.
  • Look for blocks and purge caches.
  • Send the details to support if it keeps failing.