article

Error Code 520: What is it and How to Troubleshoot it?

Troubleshoot Cloudflare Error 520 in your scraping projects. Understand its causes, implement fixes, and see how MrScraper can help. Bonus: Tips for resolving Cloudflare Error 1015.
Error Code 520: What is it and How to Troubleshoot it?

Error Code 520: What is it and How to Troubleshoot it? Ever embarked on a web scraping mission, only to be met by the cryptic error code 520? You're not alone. This seemingly innocuous code can throw even seasoned scrapers for a loop. But fear not, data warriors! In this blog post, we'll decode the secrets of error code 520 and equip you with the tools to overcome it, all with the help of your trusty companion, MrScraper.

Table of contents

What is Error Code 520?

What is Error Code 520?

Unlike other error codes that provide a clear indication of the issue (like 404 - Not Found), error code 520 is a bit of a chameleon. It's often used by Cloudflare, a popular content delivery network (CDN), as a catch-all when the origin server (the server hosting the website you're scraping) returns an unexpected response. This could be anything from a temporary glitch on the server's end to a misconfiguration that Cloudflare can't decipher.

Why Does it Happen During Scraping?

There are two main reasons why you might encounter error code 520 while scraping:

  • Server-Side Issues: Sometimes, the website you're scraping might be experiencing technical difficulties, causing an unexpected response. In these cases, there's little you can do directly except wait and try again later.
  • Your Scraping Behavior Looks Suspicious: Websites can be protective of their data, and if your scraping requests come across as automated, they might trigger security measures that lead to a 520 error.

Strategies to Avoid Error Code 520

Respect Rate Limits: Adhere to the target website's rate limits to avoid overwhelming the server. Use tools like MrScraper's built-in rate limiters to ensure responsible scraping.

  1. Utilize Proxies: Rotate proxies to simulate human behavior and avoid being flagged as a bot. MrScraper offers advanced proxy management features.

  2. Handle Captchas: If you encounter CAPTCHAs, consider using a CAPTCHA-solving service or implementing techniques to bypass them.

  3. Check Server Status: Monitor the target website's status to identify any known issues that might be causing 520 errors.

  4. Adjust Scraping Intervals: Experiment with different intervals between requests to find the optimal balance between speed and avoiding detection.

  5. Leverage MrScraper's Features: MrScraper offers features like headless browsers and custom user agents to enhance your scraping capabilities and reduce the risk of encountering 520 errors.

Conclusion

Error code 520 can be a frustrating obstacle in web scraping. By understanding its causes and implementing the strategies outlined in this blog post, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of encountering this error and ensure successful data extraction. MrScraper's powerful features and tools provide valuable support in overcoming 520 errors and achieving your scraping goals.

It's also important to be aware of other common errors, such as Cloudflare Error 1015, which is often triggered by rate limiting. For more information on how to handle and prevent it, check out our detailed guide: Cloudflare Error 1015: Causes, Fixes, and Prevention Tips.

Remember: Always prioritize ethical scraping practices and respect the terms of service of the websites you're targeting. With the right approach and tools, you can navigate the complexities of web scraping and extract valuable data efficiently.

Get started now!

Step up your web scraping

Try MrScraper Now

Find more insights here

How to Use Curl to Ignore SSL Certificate Warnings

How to Use Curl to Ignore SSL Certificate Warnings

Learn how to bypass SSL certificate validation in curl using the -k or --insecure options, ideal for testing and development environments. This guide explains when to use it and the associated risks.

How to Enable Notion Dark Mode: A Complete Guide

How to Enable Notion Dark Mode: A Complete Guide

Learn how to enable dark mode in Notion to reduce eye strain and improve battery efficiency. This comprehensive guide also includes troubleshooting tips to help you get the most out of your Notion experience.

Shadowrocket: A Comprehensive Technical Guide to Proxy Management and Network Optimization

Shadowrocket: A Comprehensive Technical Guide to Proxy Management and Network Optimization

Shadowrocket is a versatile iOS app designed to function as a rule-based proxy client. It allows users to intercept, analyze, and route their network traffic through various proxy servers (e.g., HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5), offering both enhanced privacy and the ability to bypass geo-restrictions.

What people think about scraper icon scraper

Net in hero

The mission to make data accessible to everyone is truly inspiring. With MrScraper, data scraping and automation are now easier than ever, giving users of all skill levels the ability to access valuable data. The AI-powered no-code tool simplifies the process, allowing you to extract data without needing technical skills. Plus, the integration with APIs and Zapier makes automation smooth and efficient, from data extraction to delivery.


I'm excited to see how MrScraper will change data access, making it simpler for businesses, researchers, and developers to unlock the full potential of their data. This tool can transform how we use data, saving time and resources while providing deeper insights.

John

Adnan Sher

Product Hunt user

This tool sounds fantastic! The white glove service being offered to everyone is incredibly generous. It's great to see such customer-focused support.

Ben

Harper Perez

Product Hunt user

MrScraper is a tool that helps you collect information from websites quickly and easily. Instead of fighting annoying captchas, MrScraper does the work for you. It can grab lots of data at once, saving you time and effort.

Ali

Jayesh Gohel

Product Hunt user

Now that I've set up and tested my first scraper, I'm really impressed. It was much easier than expected, and results worked out of the box, even on sites that are tough to scrape!

Kim Moser

Kim Moser

Computer consultant

MrScraper sounds like an incredibly useful tool for anyone looking to gather data at scale without the frustration of captcha blockers. The ability to get and scrape any data you need efficiently and effectively is a game-changer.

John

Nicola Lanzillot

Product Hunt user

Support

Head over to our community where you can engage with us and our community directly.

Questions? Ask our team via live chat 24/5 or just poke us on our official Twitter or our founder. We're always happy to help.