Hi,
The 503 service unavailable error usually happens when your web server is unable to get a proper response from a PHP script (like a plugin, a theme, or a misbehaving custom code snippet) If the error is caused by heavy usage, a server glitch, or a DDoS attack, then it could automatically disappear in a few minutes.
However, if it is caused by bad code on your website, then it will keep occurring unless you find and disable the code that’s causing it.
If you have already checked with plugins, try to switch to a default theme like Terntysevnteen and see how it works. If that does not help, you will have to Contact hosting and they may be able to pin-point what’s causing the issue. You can also try to reinstall WordPress with a fresh copy.
thank you for answering.
I tried swapping to the twentyseventeen last night and it made no difference, so I swapped back this morning, so we at least look normal, even if we are slow. Right now we are getting a lot of slow/unresponsive servers and database connection errors, but it is all sporadic. One minute it loads in about 6 seconds, then next it takes a minute or more
now the big one besides database connection errors is ERROR 504 – GATEWAY TIMEOUT
Now I am seeing “Error establishing a database connection”, most probably your server is down (if you have not changed database details in wp-config.php) please get in touch with your Hosting.
it’s up and down and Bluehost keeps giving me a song and dance, changing their answers and possible solutions. I’ve cleaned my databse, compressed my images, eliminated plug ins, removed ezoic, changed themes, changed the bot rate for google and bing (havent figured out yandex yet)…and all the only solution they keep offering is to upgrade my hosting package, which I’m not going to do if they can’t solve my problems.
Try to create a test WP installation in a subfolder and see how things work there if you see the database issue, 503 errors there is as well, the issue is with Bluehost.
This kind of issues can happen if your site traffic is more than what a shared hosting can cope with.
Bluehost is a brand name of a company named Endurance International Group (EIG). Among its other brand names is Hostgator, Arvixe, Site5, Fastdomain, and Justhost. The only difference between these “companies” is the name — they are all hosted at a large server farm in Provo, Utah, and they all use the same support staff.
Do some searches on EIG to read about the quality of its hosting and support (or lack thereof). In case you’re wondering, the reason websites “recommend” Bluehost and other EIG brands so often is because EIG offers lucrative payouts to companies who make large numbers of referrals.
My suggestion is to find new hosting. Don’t bother looking at “best hosting” sites for recommendations…many of them are owned and operated by EIG. You could use webhostingtalk.com, but keep in mind that most of the people there are hosting company representatives and will try to upsell you to more profitable plans/features.
Good luck!
