A redirect loop happens when two layers disagree about the canonical URL or keep redirecting the same request between states such as HTTP/HTTPS, www/non-www or login/non-login.
Symptoms
- Browser displays ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS.
- The site alternates between HTTP and HTTPS or www and non-www.
- Only wp-admin or login loops.
- The problem appears only behind Cloudflare, a proxy or a caching layer.
Common causes
The same visible WordPress error can have several causes. A reliable fix starts by matching the symptom to logs, request behavior and recent changes.
- WordPress home/siteurl values do not match the intended domain.
- Reverse proxy does not pass or interpret HTTPS correctly.
- Conflicting redirects in .htaccess, hosting panel and CDN.
- Plugin-level canonical or SSL redirects.
- Cached 301/302 responses.
Safe diagnosis
- Trace the redirect chain and record each Location header.
- Confirm one canonical scheme and hostname across WordPress, server and CDN.
- Check proxy HTTPS headers and origin configuration.
- Temporarily bypass caches to test the origin behavior.
Production safety: create a recovery point before changing code, plugins, database values or server configuration. Business-critical WooCommerce sites should avoid random deactivate/update experiments during active traffic.
How the issue is fixed
- Remove duplicate or contradictory redirect rules.
- Correct WordPress URLs and proxy HTTPS detection.
- Keep one authoritative canonical redirect path.
- Purge redirect caches after the server behavior is correct.
Avoid this shortcut: Do not stack new redirect rules on top of an unknown existing chain. First identify where every redirect is generated.
When to request expert WordPress bug fixing
Professional troubleshooting is useful when the site is business-critical, the error returns after a temporary fix, wp-admin is unavailable, the failure began after a complex update/migration, or you cannot identify the responsible code from logs. WP•FIX focuses on the smallest safe change that restores the failing path and explains the root cause.
FAQ
Can cookies cause a redirect loop?
Yes, especially around login and authentication flows, but site-wide loops more often involve URL or HTTPS configuration.
Does clearing the browser cache fix it?
It can clear a cached redirect, but it will not repair a server-side loop.
Can Cloudflare Flexible SSL cause loops?
It can when the origin forces HTTPS while the proxy connects to the origin over HTTP. SSL mode and origin redirects must agree.
Why does only wp-admin loop?
Authentication cookies, admin URL rules or security plugins can create an admin-specific redirect cycle.
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