Webmaster Tools cannot re-verify "due to a server timeout"

[lee_sufc]

I haven't changed anything on my site / webmaster tools account, however, when I log in, it is asking me to verify my site again.

when i try doing this using the file that's already on my site, i get We were unable to verify your file due to a server timeout.

As far as I'm aware, my site is working at the moment?

Anyone else got this problem?

[tedster]

The key is whether you can access the verification file with your own browser. If you can, then the error was either temporary on your server or just an error on Google's side (this is, IMO the more common). I just kept trying every so often, and the error finally cleared.

[joestern]

I've had this before - I had a redirect page as my main page, and that didn't have the code on it, causing the problem. Is that possible?

[lee_sufc]

Thanks, Tedster - just have to wait it out and hopefully it will sort itself out.

Hi Joe - no - definitely not the problem

[bwnbwn]

I have as well had this happen. I delete the old file uploaded a new one same name and number and verify it workes everytime.

[lee_sufc]

bwnbwn - just tried doing that but it didn't seem to work - think I'll just have to wait for the problem to sort itself out.

[lee_sufc]

I have just tried verifying with the meta tag instead of the html file
and it worked, first time?!?

[bwnbwn]

Is it working yet as this sounds to me another issue.

have you pinged your site to make sure it is the correct ip address showing up?

[lee_sufc]

apparently, according to someone on the official google webmaster tools support site, my website isn't showing the 404 response to pages that don't exist which they said could be causing the problem.

Does anyone know if this is a serious problem?

[bwnbwn]

yes it is a serious issue. Have you typed in a url that doesn't exist to see what happens
The check the header response to see what you get post back the results