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What is a timeout?

A timeout happens when a computer waits too long for a reply and gives up, showing an error instead of the page.

A timeout is a limit on how long one computer will wait for another to answer. If a browser, server or app does not get a response in time, it stops waiting and shows an error. On websites, timeouts often appear as a page that spins and then fails, or as a 504 Gateway Timeout error. Common causes are an overloaded server, a slow database, a poor network connection, or a script that takes too long.

Why it matters for your business: Frequent timeouts mean customers give up before a page or checkout finishes. They point to a hosting or code problem that needs fixing.

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What is a timeout? | Website Wannabe Support