There's nothing more frustrating than trying to access a website only to find it unresponsive. The immediate question that comes to mind is: Is the website truly down for everyone, or is the problem specific to my internet connection or device? Knowing how to quickly and accurately diagnose the cause can save you time and unnecessary worry. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to test whether your website is down or if the issue is on your end.

Step-by-Step Diagnostic Tests

1. Check Your Internet Connection

Before you panic, rule out the most common cause: your local internet connection. Try accessing several other popular websites like Google, YouTube, or BBC News. If they load normally, your internet connection is likely working fine, and the problem is with the website you're trying to reach. If other websites also fail to load, restart your router and modem. This simple action can often resolve temporary network glitches.

2. Clear Your Browser Cache and Cookies

Your web browser stores a significant amount of data from websites to speed up future visits. However, this cached data can become corrupted or outdated, causing a website to appear broken even if it’s perfectly fine. Clearing your browser's cache and cookies forces it to download the latest version of the website, which can resolve the issue. For a more detailed look at this and other maintenance tasks, see our article on 5 Signs Your Website Needs Maintenance.

3. Use an Online "Is It Down" Checker

This is the most reliable way to determine if your website is down for everyone. Go to a website like "Down for Everyone or Just Me" (downforeveryoneorjustme.com) or "Is It Down Right Now?" (isitdownrightnow.com). Simply enter your website's URL, and the tool will check its status from multiple locations around the globe. If the result says it's down for everyone, the problem is with the web server. If it says it's just you, the issue is on your end. For a more in-depth look at what to do in a server downtime situation, read our guide on What to Do When Your Web Server Goes Down.

4. Test with a Different Device and Network

If the online checkers say your website is up, try accessing it on a different device, such as your smartphone, while using cellular data instead of Wi-Fi. This test helps you determine if the issue is with your computer's configuration or your local network. If the website loads on your phone but not your computer, the problem is localized to your home network or device. If it still doesn't load, you may have a DNS issue or a problem with your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

5. Run a Ping Test

A ping test is a basic network utility that checks the connectivity between your device and the web server. It sends a small packet of data and measures how long it takes to receive a response. Here's how to do it:

• Windows: Open Command Prompt, type ping yourdomain.com, and press Enter.
• macOS: Open Terminal, type ping yourdomain.com, and press Enter.

If you get a series of "Request timed out" messages, it means your computer can't reach the server. A successful ping will show a series of replies with response times in milliseconds.

6. Perform a Traceroute

A traceroute is a powerful diagnostic tool that maps the path your connection takes to reach the web server. This can help identify where the connection is failing—whether it's on your local network, your ISP, or somewhere on the route to the server. For a deeper understanding of these types of issues, check out our guide on How to Fix Website Downtime and Server Errors.

• Windows: Open Command Prompt, type tracert yourdomain.com, and press Enter.
• macOS: Open Terminal, type traceroute yourdomain.com, and press Enter.

The results will show each hop (router) along the path. If the connection fails at the beginning of the list, the issue is likely with your local network or ISP. If it fails near the end, the problem could be with the web server itself.

When to Call the Experts

If you've followed these steps and confirmed that your website is down for everyone, it's time to seek professional help. Common signs include server-side errors like the 500 Internal Server Error, continuous timeouts on ping and traceroute tests, or persistent DNS configuration issues that are beyond your expertise. Remember, attempting to resolve complex server-related problems without the proper knowledge can often make the situation worse. In such scenarios, it's one of the 5 Signs You Need Professional Help to Fix Your Website.

If you’re still having trouble, don’t worry! WebCare SG is here to help. Contact us today for fast and reliable website fixes.