What should I check if my website isn’t working?

5 things to check when your website is not working

Something is off with your website. Maybe a page won't load, a form isn't sending, or something just looks wrong. Whatever the reason your website is not working, before you spiral, close fourteen tabs, or call anyone — run through this list first. Most website problems are simpler than they look.

1. Clear your cache and try a different browser

Your browser stores a saved version of your website to load it faster. Sometimes that saved version is outdated or corrupted — and what you're seeing isn't what's actually live. Clear your cache, then open the site in a different browser entirely. Chrome, Firefox, Safari — pick whichever one you don't normally use. If it looks fine there, the problem was your browser, not your site.

2. Check if the problem is just on your device

Pull out your phone and load the site there. Ask a friend to check it too. If everyone else can see it fine and you can't, something is going on locally on your end — not with the website itself. This saves a lot of unnecessary panic.

3. Look at your third-party integrations

If a form stopped submitting, a payment button stopped working, or a booking tool went quiet — check whether the connected app is still active. Platforms like Mailchimp, Calendly, and PayPal occasionally disconnect from your site without warning. Log in and reconnect the integration before assuming something bigger is wrong.

4. Check your domain and email settings

If your site suddenly shows a generic error page or says 'domain not found,' check whether your domain subscription is still active. Domains renew annually and it's easy to miss the renewal email — especially if it went to an old address. Log into wherever you registered your domain and make sure everything is current.

5. Give it 24 hours

This one sounds too simple but it works more often than it should. Platforms like Wix and Squarespace occasionally have their own outages or update issues that resolve on their own. If you've checked everything above and nothing explains the problem, wait a day and check again. You'd be surprised how often the laptop closes in defeat and the problem is just gone by morning.

Still dealing with a website not working?

If you've gone through all five and something is still off, it's probably worth getting a second set of eyes on it. Sometimes it really is something specific that needs to be tracked down. That's what I'm here for — feel free to reach out.