Resolving the “1.28K Pages Not Indexed” Issue Due to Server Error (5xx) on WordPress Website
If you’re managing a WordPress website and have recently encountered the troubling notification that approximately 1,280 of your pages are not being indexed due to server errors (5xx), you’re not alone. This issue can be frustrating, especially after investing significant time into website optimization and maintenance. In this article, we’ll explore common causes, troubleshooting steps, and best practices to help you resolve this problem effectively.
Understanding the Issue
Google Search Console’s report indicating that a large number of your pages aren’t indexed due to server errors suggests that Google’s crawlers are experiencing server-side issues when attempting to access your pages. Server errors (HTTP 5xx status codes) generally point to problems with your hosting environment or server configuration.
Common Causes of Server Errors (5xx) During Crawling
- Server Overload or Unavailability: Your hosting server may be temporarily overwhelmed or down.
- Misconfigured Server Settings: Incorrect configurations can lead to errors.
- Resource Limits: Exceeding bandwidth, memory, or CPU quotas imposed by your host.
- Hosting Environment Issues: Particularly relevant if you’re using hosting platforms like Netlify, which may have specific configurations for dynamic sites.
- Plugin or Theme Conflicts: Certain WordPress plugins or themes can sometimes cause server errors.
Steps Taken and Observations
From your description, you’ve already implemented several important steps:
- Removed unnecessary subdomains.
- Updated your sitemap and submitted it to Google Search Console.
- Verified canonical tags and implemented JSON-LD schema markup.
- Ensured proper meta tags are in place.
- Removed obsolete redirects.
- Considered hosting environment (Netlify).
Despite these efforts, the persistent server error indicates that the root cause might be deeper in your server or hosting setup.
Recommended Troubleshooting and Solutions
1. Check Server Logs
Access your server logs to identify specific errors when Googlebot or visitors attempt to crawl your pages. This can provide clues—whether it’s a timeout, memory issue, or specific configuration error.
2. Test Server Response
Use tools like GTmetrix, Pingdom, or WebPageTest to simulate crawlers and see if errors occur consistently or under specific conditions.
**3. Verify Hosting Configuration