HTTP Error: 503

[Pessoa]

Problem Description: Just recently I started experiencing the following error when trying to access my server in a browser:

HTTP ERROR: 503
SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE
RequestURI=/
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The Subsonic icon in my taskbar is green and shows that the server is indeed running but i can't access it at all in a browser or in the isub app. i tried reinstalling to no avail. i will say that before reinstalling getting the icon to go from red to green was difficult just over the past few days. reinstalling seems to have helped that, but i still can't gain access. also, a couple of days ago i notice a strange error in the top segment of the server window (where the server tabs like home, more, about, etc. are) that said Subsonic had encountered an error. what steps or additional info can i provide to help diagnose the issue? thank you

Playback Application and version: unable to access the server in several browsers or isub iphone and ipad apps
Subsonic Version: I was running the latest version, and tried reinstalling it again after I started experiencing the problem
Server Version: can't get there to get it
Hardware Platform: WinXP
Java Memory Limit: 256 but have tried altering to higher and lower to no effect

[Pessoa]

I also forgot to mention that I'm on port 4040, which is forwarded and everything was working fine with it until the last few days. thanks in advance for your help.

[BKKKPewsey]

Can you access SS using a browser on the local machine eg: via the link shown in the SS console?
Also what version of SS and what version of java?

[Pessoa]

thanks for the response BKKKPewset. I get that same 503 error page when trying to access through a machine on the local network, but trying to use the local IP address and my custom subsonic server URL. Same happens outside of the local network too. Java version is (Version 7 Update 25), SS version is 4.8. Let me know if there's any other info that could help diagnose. Thank you.

[gurutech]

Check firewall settings - may need to open port 4040 on the windows firewall, as well as any other firewall (ie. Norton 360) that you have...

[Pessoa]

I just doublechecked and the port is indeed open

[msujdog]

I'm having this exact same problem, and I installed the Java update yesterday as well. That could be our problem. I can't access my server with any portable devices or my miniSub Chrome extension.

[gurutech]

Restarting the service or the entire "server" will fix this as well.

[Pessoa]

stopping and restarting doesn't fix it unfortunately, and I'm not able to access anything either locally, mobily, or outside of the network...even though the SS control panel says SS is running and the icon is green.

[gurutech]

WinXP, is this 32-bit or 64-bit? I know you need the 32-bit Java for Subsonic - maybe ensure that's installed or uninstall/reinstall that.

[msujdog]

I got mine working again. Here's what I did:

1. Uninstalled Java and rolled it back to update 21. Didn't help.
2. Logged on to my ATT Uverse router and saw that the display had changed. Was it my imagination, or did a new firmware download? Hmm. Tried an experiement:
2. Went on my spare computer and set up a fresh subsonic account with a fresh subsonic download and Java v25. It worked fine.
3. Went back to my main computer, uninstalled subsonic, rebooted, reinstalled, and it worked ok.

So my suggestion is just to reinstall. When you do, use the automatic port forwarding feature and hope it plays well with your router.

[Pessoa]

Thanks, I'll try that. Is there a way to save my Subsonic settings and users when uninstalling?

[GJ51]

A 503 error is usually the result of corruption of the database sue to an improper shutdown, which can even be caused by automatic updates with reboots that don't let everything shutdown properly. More often, it's caused by holding that power button for more than 4 secs when the system hangs.

The best protection against the error is to occasionally back up the \Subsonic directory.

You usually need to do a fresh install to get it all working again.

[Pessoa]

got it working again and most of the settings back to normal, thanks all for your help!

[GJ51]

That's great news - it doesn't always work. Try to remember to back up the \Subsonic directory at least once a week in case it happens again.