Learn how to diagnose website issues fast using free tools. Check downtime, DNS records, HTTP status, and security errors to keep your site online.

Introduction

A website that suddenly stops working can cause panic, lost revenue, and frustrated users. The problem could be on your server, your DNS settings, your SSL certificate, or even your own browser. Knowing where to look and what to check can save hours of guessing.

The good news is that you can run a full diagnostic using simple, free, browser-based tools. These tools help you find the root cause of the problem in minutes without needing advanced technical knowledge.

In this guide, you will learn how to:

• Check if your site is down for everyone or just you
• Analyze HTTP status codes and server responses
• Inspect DNS records for misconfigurations
• Validate your SSL certificate
• Confirm that your browser and connection are not the problem

Step 1: Check if the Website Is Down for Everyone

Use: Website Status Checker

The first step is to confirm whether the problem is global or only happening on your device. If a site is down for everyone, it means the issue is on the hosting side. If it is just you, the problem could be local (browser cache, DNS cache, firewall).

How it works:

• Enter the URL and click check
• The tool pings the website from different servers
• It reports if the website is online or offline

Why it matters:
This step saves time by confirming if the issue is not on your end.
External reference: Cloudflare - Website availability

Step 2: Analyze the HTTP Status Codes

Use: HTTP Status Code Checker

Even if a site loads, it might be showing errors behind the scenes. HTTP status codes reveal what the server is actually returning.

Common codes to know:

• 200 OK: Page is working
• 301/302: Redirects (check if they loop)
• 404 Not Found: Page does not exist
• 500 Internal Server Error: Server issue

Why it matters:
Status codes let you detect broken links, infinite redirect loops, or pages that are silently failing.

Reference: MDN Web Docs - HTTP response status codes

Step 3: Check DNS Records

Use: DNS Lookup

If your domain is not resolving at all, the problem might be your DNS configuration. DNS (Domain Name System) tells browsers which server your website lives on. A wrong DNS record can make your site completely unreachable.

Records to check:

• A record: Points your domain to an IP address
• MX record: Handles email delivery
• CNAME: Redirects one domain to another
• NS: Lists your domain’s name servers

Why it matters:
Misconfigured DNS records are a common cause of sudden downtime after hosting changes or domain transfers.

Reference: ICANN - DNS basics

Step 4: Test SSL Certificate Validity

Use: SSL Checker

SSL certificates secure your website and build user trust. If an SSL certificate is expired or not installed properly, users will see security warnings and may not be able to access your site.

What to check:

• Is the certificate valid and not expired
• Does the domain match the certificate
• Is the certificate issued by a trusted authority

Why it matters:
SSL errors block visitors, harm SEO, and can stop forms or logins from working.

Reference: Google Search Central - HTTPS and SEO

Step 5: Verify Browser and Network Configuration

Use: What’s My Browser

Sometimes the problem is local. Outdated browsers, blocked cookies, or browser extensions can prevent a site from loading correctly. Use this tool to quickly see your browser version, user agent, JavaScript status, and cookies.

What to check:

• Browser version is up to date
• JavaScript is enabled
• Cookies are allowed
• Try incognito mode or another browser

Why it matters:
Eliminates local browser issues before you dive into server-side troubleshooting.

Reference: Mozilla Support - Troubleshoot website issues

Step 6: Check Redirect Chains

Use: Redirect Checker

If your website has recently been moved or restructured, misconfigured redirects can cause infinite loops or send users to the wrong pages. This tool shows the full redirect path and the status codes of each hop.

What to check:

• Redirects end in a valid page (200 OK)
• No loops (e.g. A redirects to B which redirects back to A)
• No long redirect chains

Why it matters:
Fixing redirect errors improves SEO and ensures users reach the correct pages.

Reference: Google Search Central - Redirects and SEO

Step 7: Test Email and Domain Delivery Issues

Use: E-Mail Validator
and DNS Lookup

Sometimes users report they cannot receive emails from your site. This could be caused by missing or incorrect MX and SPF DNS records. Use the DNS Lookup tool to check MX records and the E-Mail Validator to test the email domain.

Why it matters:
Broken email systems often go unnoticed but can harm customer support, order confirmations, and trust.

Reference: Google Workspace - Email delivery troubleshooting

Step 8: Use Multiple Tools Together for Faster Diagnosis

The fastest way to solve problems is to combine these tools in a logical order:

1. Website Status Checker → confirms global downtime
2. HTTP Status Code Checker → shows the response code
3. DNS Lookup → checks domain configuration
4. SSL Checker → verifies security
5. Redirect Checker → inspects link structure
6. What’s My Browser → rules out local browser issues

Doing this full sweep can pinpoint the root cause of most issues within minutes.

Step 9: Document Your Findings and Fixes

Troubleshooting is faster when you keep records. When you find the cause, write down:

• The date and time of the issue
• What tool you used
• The exact error or status code
• The fix you applied

This creates a reference you or your team can use if the issue happens again.

Reference: Atlassian - Incident management best practices

Conclusion

Website downtime is stressful, but it does not have to be complicated. With the right free tools, you can quickly detect whether the issue is on your side, your hosting provider, or your configuration.

By using the tools from Recipesz Online Tools
such as Website Status Checker

• DNS Lookup
• HTTP Status Code Checker
• and SSL Checker
• you can diagnose and fix most website problems in minutes without hiring a developer or contacting support.

Staying proactive with regular checks can prevent small issues from becoming major outages, keeping your site reliable, your users happy, and your productivity high.