Knowledgebase

Learn the common reasons why your website might not be working and how to fix them with this beginner-friendly guide from AlpineHost.

Introduction

If your website is not working, it can be frustrating, especially if you are not familiar with web hosting. There are several common reasons why a website might not be functioning correctly. This guide will help you troubleshoot and identify the issue using basic steps that anyone can follow. By the end of this article, you should have a better idea of what might be wrong with your website and how to fix it. If you still need help, our support team at AlpineHost is ready to assist you at support@alpinehost.ch or info@alpinehost.ch.

 

1. Check Your Domain and Hosting Status

a) Domain Expiry

One of the most common reasons a website stops working is that the domain name has expired. Your domain name is the address people use to find your website, like www.alpinehost.ch. Domains need to be renewed periodically, usually every year.

  • How to Check:

    • Log into your domain registrar’s website (the company where you purchased your domain).
    • Check the status of your domain and renew it if it has expired.
     

b) Hosting Account Status

If your hosting account has expired or is suspended, your website won’t be accessible. Your hosting account is what keeps your website online.

  • How to Check:

    • Log into your AlpineHost account.
    • Go to the Billing or Services section to check if your hosting plan is active.
    • If your account is suspended, you may need to make a payment to reactivate it.
     

 

2. DNS Issues

a) DNS Propagation

DNS (Domain Name System) is responsible for directing visitors to your website. When you make changes to your DNS settings, it can take time for these changes to take effect, a process known as DNS propagation. This can take anywhere from a few hours to 48 hours.

  • How to Check:

    • Use a DNS checker tool (such as DNS Checker) to see if your DNS settings have propagated correctly.
    • If the DNS has not propagated, you may need to wait a bit longer.
     

 

b) Incorrect DNS Settings

If your DNS settings are incorrect, your website won’t load properly. This could happen if you recently moved to a new host or made changes to your DNS records.

  • How to Check:

    • Log into your cPanel account.
    • Go to Domains > Zone Editor.
    • Check if the DNS records (like A records, CNAME, etc.) are correctly pointing to your hosting server.
     

 

3. Website Files and Configuration

a) Missing or Corrupted Files

If critical website files are missing or corrupted, your website may not load correctly or at all. This can happen if files were accidentally deleted or if an update went wrong.

  • How to Check:

    • Log into cPanel and go to File Manager.
    • Navigate to the public_html directory where your website files are stored.
    • Check if all your files are present. If some are missing, you may need to restore them from a backup.
     

b) Incorrect File Permissions

File permissions control who can read, write, or execute your website files. If the permissions are set incorrectly, your website may not work properly.

  • How to Check:

    • In cPanel’s File Manager, right-click on a file or folder and select Change Permissions.
    • Ensure that your files have the correct permissions (typically 644 for files and 755 for directories).
     

 

4. Server Issues

a) Server Downtime

Sometimes, your website may not work because your hosting server is down. This could be due to maintenance, a technical issue, or unexpected downtime.

  • How to Check:

    • Contact AlpineHost support to check if there are any ongoing server issues.
    • You can also monitor server status using tools like DownDetector.
     

b) Exceeded Resource Limits

If your website has exceeded its allocated resources (like bandwidth or CPU usage), it may stop working or become very slow.

  • How to Check:

    • Log into cPanel and go to Resource Usage under the Metrics section.
    • Check if your website has exceeded any limits and consider upgrading your hosting plan if needed.
     

 

5. Website Code or Database Issues

a) Errors in Website Code

If there are errors in your website's code, such as in HTML, CSS, or PHP files, it can cause your website to break.

  • How to Check:

    • Use cPanel’s File Manager to review and edit your website’s code.
    • Look for syntax errors or other issues in the code and correct them.
     

b) Database Connection Issues

If your website relies on a database and there’s an issue with the database connection, your site may display errors like "Error establishing a database connection."

  • How to Check:

    • In cPanel, go to MySQL Databases and check the status of your databases.
    • Ensure that your database credentials (username, password, hostname) are correct in your website’s configuration files.
     

 

Contacting Support

If you've tried the steps above and your website is still not working, it may be time to contact support. The AlpineHost team is here to help with any issues you might encounter.

 

Conclusion

There are many reasons why your website might not be working, but with the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to identify and resolve the most common issues. Remember, if you're still having trouble, don't hesitate to reach out to AlpineHost's support for further assistance.

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