Google console error: "Failed: Hostload exceeded"
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When using the Google URL Inspection Tool, you may encounter an error message stating “Failed: Hostload exceeded”. This error is indicative of your website reaching its maximum capacity for Google crawling or inspection requests. In simpler terms, Google is unable to run tests on your website because the traffic load (as estimated by Google) is too high.
According to Google’s support article this error message is based on Google’s estimation of your site’s traffic load and its capacity to handle Google’s crawling or inspection requests. It’s important to note that server errors can be transient, meaning they may occur during a live test but not during crawling, or vice versa.
What Does “Failed: Hostload Exceeded” Mean?
The “Failed: Hostload exceeded” error is a signal from Google that your site appears to be at its maximum capacity for handling Google’s crawling or inspection requests. This means that Google is unable to run tests until your site’s traffic load decreases.
This error is not necessarily indicative of a permanent issue. It could be a transient server error that occurs during a live test but not during crawling, or the other way around. Therefore, it’s crucial not to panic when you see this error. Instead, understand what it means and take the necessary steps to resolve it.
How to Resolve the “Failed: Hostload Exceeded” Error
The recommended solution for this error is to allow 24 hours for the limits at Google to reset. This allows Google’s limits to reset. During this time, Google’s estimation of your site’s traffic load should decrease. After this period, you should try again to use the URL Inspection Tool.