HTTP 508 Loop Detected
Updated Free mock REST & WebSocket APIs
HTTP 508 Loop Detected — The server stopped processing because it found an infinite loop.
- Class
- 5xx Server Error
- Defined in
- RFC 5842 (WebDAV)
- Official
- Yes (IANA registry)
- Cacheable by default
- No (unless Cache-Control/Expires say so)
- Safe to retry
- Sometimes — idempotent requests only
Try it: get a real 508 response
Our test endpoint answers every request with 508 Loop Detected.
curl -i https://mockfox.dev/api/status/508Use it in tests, health-check monitors or to see how your client handles a 508. Add ?delay=2000 to slow it down.
What does HTTP 508 mean?
Defined for WebDAV operations with Depth: infinity that encounter cyclic bindings. Some shared hosts (LiteSpeed, cPanel CloudLinux) also show "508 Resource Limit Is Reached" when an account exceeds its CPU or process limits — that's a hosting resource cap, not a loop.
How to fix 508
- Visitors: This is a server-side problem — wait a moment and retry, or check the site's status page.
- Developers: Check application and proxy logs at the time of the error, verify upstream services are healthy, and alert on 5xx rates.
Example 508 response
HTTP/1.1 508 Loop Detected
Content-Type: application/json
{"status":508,"error":"Loop Detected"}5xx Server Error: The server failed to fulfill a valid request — usually temporary, or a server-side bug. See the full list of HTTP status codes.
Related status codes
- 208 Already ReportedInside a 207 body: this resource was already listed earlier, so it isn't repeated.
- 500 Internal Server ErrorThe server hit an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request.
- 509 Bandwidth Limit ExceededA shared hosting account has used up its bandwidth allowance.
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
What does HTTP 508 Loop Detected mean?
The server stopped processing because it found an infinite loop.
Is 508 a client or a server error?
508 is a 5xx code: the server failed to handle a request that may be perfectly valid. It's often temporary.
Where is 508 defined?
In RFC 5842 (WebDAV). It's listed in the IANA HTTP Status Code Registry.
How can I test how my app handles a 508?
Call https://mockfox.dev/api/status/508 — it responds with 508 to any method, with CORS enabled. Add ?delay=2000 to simulate a slow response.