What is a 304 Error

What is a 304 Error? – Odds are, you use of one of the “Big Five” website browsers when surfing the internet. These five (in order of popularity) include:

1. Google Chrome
2. Safari
3. UC
4. Firefox
5. Opera

No matter what browser you favor, you are likely to encounter error messages occasionally.  If you have ever wondered what these error messages mean or if they should concern you, check out our recent article explaining a 503 error. Our series explaining some of these errors continue with this blog about 304 errors.

A Brief Explanation of Error Codes in General

Error codes or response codes are designed to let the host (server) and the client (user) know there is an issue and help them troubleshoot that error. Error codes begin with 100 series codes and end with 500 series codes. Each of these hundred code series designations addresses certain types of problems that are occurring and affecting connectivity.

What Do 300 Series Codes Indicate?

In the case of 3xx series codes, these indicate that the client would generally need to take more steps to complete the request. Many codes in this series, however, are used for redirection of the URL to another web address. In this instance, a user’s browser may carry out this additional step without any more user interaction.

What Specifically Does the 304 Code Mean?

A 304 error will generally be returned with verbiage similar to the following:

“The remote server returned an error: (304) Not Modified.”

It really is more of a message than an error. It is telling you that the page being visited has not been modified, or changed, since the last time it was visited. Therefore, it should redirect you to the page previously saved in your cache. This is exactly what the cache on your device does. It saves frequently visited pages so they will load faster when maneuvering throughout the internet.

For those browsing the internet, the 304 Not Modified message can be frustrating but there isn’t much you can do. For users, it can be largely disregarded. It is more of an indication that something has gone wrong on the server side of things. It can be a significant problem for those hosting websites.

Diagnosing 304 Errors on the Server Side

If you feel your application is issuing 304 codes when it shouldn’t be, it could be a problem that needs to be diagnosed and addressed. A significant amount of visitors may be getting this code affecting the effectiveness of your application. There are several tips you can use to diagnose the problem.

Check the configuration files. It is possible your server software is sending unintentional redirect 304 codes.

Check server side logs. These logs keep a history of server activity like what servers connected to it, what pages were requested and other details. You can often see the status of your server’s performance by reviewing these server side logs.

Check any custom coding within your application. You may ultimately find yourself having to manually debug your application.

Of course, with any error code, there is a wealth of information available with an internet search. If none of the above provides relief from the errors, you can often find answers through a search.

Keeping Your Server Running Error Free

Error monitoring software may be available for your server that will notify you immediately about errors being issued so you can best respond. Today, users expect a more error-free experience on the internet and that includes uptime. That is why selecting a web hosting company that guarantees uptime is so important.

At OrangeWebsite.com, we have a 99.9% uptime guarantee. This guarantee is backed with a superior technical team that is available 24/7 to provide assistance when you need it. But, there are a variety of other valuable reasons you should select OrangeWebsite.com as your web hosting provider.

• Choose from a hosting plan right for you. Plans range from hosting small websites to dedicated servers. You choose the package and price to suit your needs and budget.
• Sign up and pay anonymously. We accept Bitcoin, wire transfer, and cash by mail. You can also pay via Paypal. The choice is yours.
• Host in Iceland. Iceland is an Internet-friendly country with modern freedom of speech legislation in place.
• There is no risk. OrangeWebsite.com offers a 30-day money back guarantee.

You can also take pride in knowing that we are an Eco Web Hosting solution provider. Iceland derives almost 100% of its energy from renewable sources like geothermal and hydropower. Our cooler Icelandic temperatures allow for us to minimize the use of air conditioning, making us more energy efficient. Much of our staff work from home, using less fuel for transportation and keeping roadways clearer. At OrangeWebsite.com, we serve companies in over 100 countries, making better use of our servers throughout multiple time zones. Our location is perfect for those in or trying to reach visitors in European and North American markets.

In addition, to be the right thing to do, organic hosting is a good marketing tool for our clients. To help them take advantage of the trend to eco web hosting, we offer use of a variety, easy to install, “Green Seals” for placement on customer websites. These easy to install seals demonstrate the commitment to environmentally-friendly hosting and can be a good way to attract like-minded visitors to hosted websites.

We are also proud to be involved in “green” initiatives to help prevent and even reverse negative environmental impacts on our planet. We invite you to join us in our efforts.

Keep your visitors happy with responsive 24/7 technical support, a 99.9% uptime guarantee, and eco web hosting solutions. Learn more about OrangeWebsite.com today.