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What Is a 504 Gateway Timeout?

A 504 Gateway Timeout is an HTTP status code that means one server didn’t receive a timely response from another server it was trying to communicate with. In plain terms, it’s like calling someone who doesn’t pick up—the request times out.

504 — Tiempo de espera de la puerta de enlace504 — Tiempo de espera de la puerta de enlace

El error 504 — Gateway Timeout se produce cuando un servidor que actúa como puerta de enlace o proxy no recibe una respuesta del servidor ascendente a tiempo. Indica un retraso o un fallo de comunicación entre los servidores.

Causas comunes de un error 504:

  • Servidor Upstream lento: El servidor con el que se está contactando tarda demasiado en responder.
  • Problemas de red: Conectividad deficiente entre los servidores.
  • Servidores sobrecargados: El servidor ascendente está gestionando demasiadas solicitudes.
  • Problemas de configuración del proxy: Los proxies mal configurados pueden provocar retrasos o fallos en la comunicación.

Cómo le afecta

El error 504 impide que se complete tu solicitud y no puedes acceder al contenido deseado. Para los usuarios de proxy, podría indicar que el servidor de destino es demasiado lento o inalcanzable.

504 — Correcciones rápidas de errores de tiempo de espera de la puerta de enlace:

  1. Actualiza la página: El problema podría ser temporal.
  2. Cambie los servidores proxy: Utilice un proxy diferente para evitar el retraso.
  3. Compruebe el estado del servidor Upstream: Asegúrese de que el servidor al que intenta acceder esté operativo.
  4. Optimizar la configuración del proxy: Verifique la configuración del tiempo de espera y la estabilidad de la conexión.

Cómo evitar el error 504 — Gateway Timeout:

  • Utilice un proveedor de proxy fiable con servidores rápidos y estables.
  • Implemente el equilibrio de carga para reducir la carga de los servidores.
  • Supervise y pruebe con regularidad el rendimiento del servidor y del proxy.

Si estás lidiando con tiempos de espera relacionados con el proxy, no te pierdas nuestra guía completa, Cómo corregir y solucionar errores de proxy, para obtener medidas prácticas para resolver el problema de manera eficiente.

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Use Cases

Web Scraping Large Datasets

When scraping at scale, 504s may appear if the target server can’t handle concurrent requests. Smart rotation of residential or ISP proxies can distribute the load.

API Integrations

APIs with strict response windows often trigger 504 errors if requests involve large payloads. Configuring longer proxy timeouts ensures those API calls don’t drop.

E-commerce Traffic Surges

During high-demand events (like Black Friday), overwhelmed servers may not respond in time. Proxies with load balancing and failover options reduce failed requests.

Best Practices

Use Adaptive Proxy Routing

Route requests through optimized proxies that balance speed and reliability, reducing the risk of hitting a slow or unresponsive upstream server.

Implement Retry Logic

Automate retries for failed requests. Many 504 errors are temporary—retrying after a short delay often succeeds.

Monitor and Log Requests

Keep detailed logs to identify whether the issue comes from proxy misconfigurations, upstream servers, or DNS delays.

Scale Infrastructure Ahead of Time

For businesses expecting high traffic, scaling server and proxy resources proactively helps avoid bottlenecks leading to 504s.

Conclusion

A 504 Gateway Timeout means a server acting as a gateway (often a proxy) didn’t get a timely response from an upstream server. Within the proxy industry, this usually reflects either an overloaded origin server or a proxy misconfiguration. Adjusting timeout settings, monitoring infrastructure, and retrying requests can often resolve the issue.

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Frequently Asked Question

What causes a 504 Gateway Timeout?

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It’s caused by an upstream server taking too long to respond, often due to overload, network delays, or proxy timeout settings.

Is a 504 error my fault as a user?

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Usually not. It’s a server-side issue, but proxies and DNS configurations can sometimes play a role.

How does the proxy industry help avoid 504 errors?

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Proxies can reroute requests through faster or more reliable nodes, apply retries, and balance traffic loads to reduce upstream delays.

Can retrying fix a 504 error?

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Yes, in many cases. Temporary overloads often resolve on the next attempt, especially when using smart retry logic with proxies.

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