cURL Error 28: Connection Timed Out

Overview

The cURL error 28 indicates a timeout occurred when your site attempted to make an HTTP request to the server. This error often happens if your server fails to respond to your chosen mailer’s request in a timely manner.

Causes

There are several reasons why cURL error 28 might occur:

  1. Server-related issues: Your server’s firewall may be blocking requests from your SMTP plugin.
  2. Outdated software: Using outdated versions of PHP or cURL can lead to server timeouts.
  3. Low server timeout limit: If your server has a low timeout threshold, requests exceeding this limit will result in the error.

The complete error message reads: ‘cURL error 28: Operation timed out after 5001 milliseconds with 0 bytes received.’

Solution

To resolve the cURL error 28, try the following steps:

  1. Update Your Software: Ensure your site uses updated versions of PHP and cURL.
  2. Check Firewall Settings: Temporarily disable firewall protection on your site to see if this resolves the issue.
  3. Increase Server Timeout Limit: You may need to increase your server’s HTTP request limit. Contact your web host for help with this adjustment.
  4. Contact Web Hosting Support: If the above methods don’t resolve the issue, or you have trouble implementing any of them, reach out to your web host for additional support, as the error is likely server-related.

Note: While this error is usually not caused by your SMTP plugin, ensuring you’re using the latest version of your plugin can help rule out any potential conflicts.

That’s it! Now you know how to troubleshoot and fix the cURL error 28 issue.

Would you like to learn more about integrating your site with specific email services? Check out our guides on integrating with SendLayer and setting up the Brevo mailer.