If your site goes offline after making changes to Cloudflare or Joomla configurations, follow these troubleshooting steps:
- Check Cloudflare Status:
Verify Cloudflare Status by visiting the Cloudflare Status page to see if there are any ongoing issues that could affect your site.
- Review Recent Changes:
Undo recent changes made in Cloudflare or Joomla, reverting them one by one to identify the culprit.
- Inspect DNS Settings:
Ensure your DNS settings in Cloudflare are correctly pointing to your server's IP address, checking for any accidental changes in the DNS records.
- Check Server Status:
Access your server directly (bypassing Cloudflare) using your server's IP address. If it’s down, the issue may be with your hosting provider.
- Validate Firewall Rules:
Ensure that your server’s firewall isn’t blocking Cloudflare’s IP ranges. Check both server and firewall configurations.
- Review Page Rules:
Double-check your Cloudflare Page Rules to ensure they are set correctly and aren’t inadvertently blocking access to your site.
- Examine Error Logs:
Review your server error logs for any signs of issues that may help identify the problem.
- Test with Browser Cache Cleared:
Clear your browser cache or try accessing the site in incognito mode, as cached data can sometimes cause issues.
- Disable Plugins:
If using Joomla plugins, temporarily disable any recent or performance-related plugins to see if they are causing conflicts.
- Contact Support:
If you're still having issues, contact your hosting provider or Cloudflare support for assistance. Provide them with details about the changes made and any error messages.
By systematically going through these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue causing your site to go offline.
