508 Loop Detected
The server stopped because it detected an infinite loop while processing the request.
What it means
HTTP 508 Loop Detected is a WebDAV status meaning the server gave up on an operation because it ran into an infinite loop while resolving the request. Rather than spin forever, it stops and reports the loop.
When it happens
It happens with WebDAV operations that traverse resources containing circular references, where following the links would never terminate.
How to fix it
- Find and break the circular reference among the resources involved.
- Review symbolic links or bindings that point back into themselves.
- Check the server log for the specific path where the loop was detected.
SEO impact
Negative if it affects real pages, but rare. It is a WebDAV-specific 5xx that seldom touches public, indexable content.
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Related codes
A generic error meaning the server encountered an unexpected condition.
501 Not ImplementedThe server does not support the functionality required to fulfil the request.
502 Bad GatewayA server acting as a gateway received an invalid response from the upstream server.
503 Service UnavailableThe server is temporarily unable to handle the request, often due to overload or maintenance.
504 Gateway TimeoutA gateway server did not receive a timely response from the upstream server.
505 HTTP Version Not SupportedThe server does not support the HTTP protocol version used in the request.
Related guides
A plain-English primer on HTTP status codes for SEOs: what the 2xx, 3xx, 4xx, and 5xx families mean, which ones affect rankings, and the codes worth knowing.
How to find and fix broken linksA practical walkthrough for finding broken links on your site, working out why each one breaks, and fixing them so visitors and crawlers stop hitting dead ends.