HTTP 206 Partial Content vs 502 Bad Gateway
HTTP 206 (Partial Content) is a 2xx Success response, while 502 (Bad Gateway) is a 5xx Server Error response. 206 indicates that the server is delivering only part of the resource due to a Range header sent by the client. Used for resumable downloads and video streaming. In contrast, 502 means that the server, acting as a gateway or proxy, received an invalid response from the upstream server.
Description
The server is delivering only part of the resource due to a Range header sent by the client. Used for resumable downloads and video streaming.
When You See It
During video streaming, large file downloads, or when resuming interrupted downloads.
How to Fix
No fix needed. This is normal behavior for range requests.
Description
The server, acting as a gateway or proxy, received an invalid response from the upstream server.
When You See It
When Nginx/Apache can't reach the application server (e.g., Gunicorn is down, upstream timeout).
How to Fix
Check if the upstream server is running. Verify proxy configuration. Check for upstream timeouts.
Key Differences
206 is a 2xx Success response, while 502 is a 5xx Server Error response.
HTTP 206: The server is delivering only part of the resource due to a Range header sent by the client. Used for resumable downloads and video streaming.
HTTP 502: The server, acting as a gateway or proxy, received an invalid response from the upstream server.
You encounter 206 when during video streaming, large file downloads, or when resuming interrupted downloads.
You encounter 502 when when Nginx/Apache can't reach the application server (e.g., Gunicorn is down, upstream timeout).
When to Use Which
For 206 (Partial Content): No fix needed. This is normal behavior for range requests. For 502 (Bad Gateway): Check if the upstream server is running. Verify proxy configuration. Check for upstream timeouts.