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check_circleWP Rocket•hourglass_bottomTimeoutlockssldnsDNSerrorcURL error 28stylecritical-css•labelCommon•warningModerate

cURL error 28: Connection timed out

cURL error 28 occurs when the WP Rocket Critical CSS generator fails to receive a response from the site URL. The request stops after the default 30 seconds, so the generator aborts.

The timeout is triggered by blocked outbound traffic, DNS failures, SSL handshake problems, low PHP execution limits, or server overload. When the generator cannot reach the page, no Critical CSS file is produced.

Symptoms

[dashicons-warning]
Error shown in WP Rocket settings
WP Rocket displays “Critical CSS generation failed – cURL error 28”.
[dashicons-warning]
Progress bar stalls
The generate Critical CSS wizard never advances.
[dashicons-warning]
No Critical CSS file
Pages load without the expected performance boost.

Common Causes

Outbound request blocked
Firewall or security plugin prevents the generator from reaching the site URL.
DNS or SSL mis‑configuration
Name resolution fails or SSL handshake aborts the request.
Low PHP execution limits
max_execution_time or curl.timeout is set below the time needed for the request.
Server overload
High CPU, RAM, or I/O usage slows the response past the timeout window.
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