Why is my monitor status wrong? (false-positive alerts)

Occasionally, Pulsetic may generate a false-positive alert. In many instances, this can be attributed to external factors beyond the control of the monitoring service. Below is a compilation of the most common issues that lead to false-positives and their corresponding resolutions:

1. Temporary network connectivity issues: Intermittent network problems between your website's server and the monitoring service can trigger false-positive alerts. In such cases, it is essential to check the stability of your server's network connection and work with your hosting provider to resolve any identified issues.
2. Server maintenance or scheduled downtime: If your website's server undergoes maintenance or experiences planned downtime, it may cause a temporary false-positive alert. To mitigate this, you can configure your monitoring service to pause during scheduled maintenance periods or adjust the notification settings accordingly.
3. Content delivery network (CDN) issues: If you're using a CDN to distribute your website content, occasional service disruptions or configuration problems with the CDN can lead to false-positive alerts. Collaborate with your CDN provider to identify and address any potential issues in order to maintain optimal website performance.
4. Firewall or security settings: Overly restrictive security settings, such as firewalls or rate-limiting rules, may interfere with the monitoring service's ability to access your website, causing false-positive alerts. Review your security settings and make necessary adjustments to ensure the monitoring service can accurately assess your website's status.
5. Misconfigured monitoring settings: Incorrectly configured monitoring settings, such as wrong URL, monitoring intervals, or response time thresholds, can contribute to false-positive alerts. Regularly review and fine-tune your monitoring settings to match your website's specific requirements and minimize the occurrence of false-positives.
6. Changes in website content or structure: Substantial modifications to your website's content or structure may cause the monitoring service to generate a false-positive alert if it's unable to recognize the updated version. Ensure that your monitoring service is set up to accommodate any significant changes to your website to maintain accurate monitoring results.
7. Pulsetic requests are being blocked by your website's security software: Examine your website's security software settings (such as Wordfence for WordPress, Sucuri, Cloudflare or other services). Ensure that you whitelist all requests originating from our IP addresses within the security software settings.

By understanding and addressing these common issues, you can enhance the accuracy and reliability of Pulsetic's monitoring service, ensuring you receive timely and relevant alerts when your website requires attention.

F.A.Q - Monitor Status

How does the monitoring service determine the status of my website?

The monitoring service determines the status of your website by periodically sending requests to your website's URL and checking the HTTP response status code, response time, and content. It then compares these results against predefined thresholds to determine if your site is online, offline, or experiencing issues.

What factors can cause my monitor status to display incorrectly?

Factors that can cause an incorrect monitor status include temporary connectivity issues, server downtime, incorrect settings, false positives/negatives, and monitoring service bugs.

Pulsetic requests may be blocked by your website's security software, preventing accurate monitoring results. Check your website's security software settings (for example, Wordfence for WordPress, Sucuri, Cloudflare etc.) and make sure to whitelist all requests coming from our IP addresses within the security software settings. This will allow Pulsetic to accurately monitor your website and provide reliable results.

How often is my website's status updated, and can this frequency affect the accuracy of the monitor status?

Your website's status is updated based on the monitoring interval you've set in the service (e.g., every minute, every 5 minutes). A longer interval may result in a less accurate monitor status if your website experiences brief issues between checks.

Can temporary connectivity issues or server downtime lead to an incorrect monitor status?

Temporary connectivity issues or server downtime can lead to an incorrect monitor status if the monitoring service checks your website during these periods. Once the issue is resolved, the status should update correctly in the subsequent check.

Is there a possibility of false positives or negatives in the monitoring system that can affect the status of my website?

False positives or negatives can occur if the monitoring service encounters issues with its own infrastructure, misinterprets the response from your website, or if your website returns unexpected results. These are rare occurrences, and the monitoring service is constantly improved to minimize such cases.

How can I verify the accuracy of the monitor status displayed on the app?

To verify the accuracy of the monitor status, you can manually check your website by visiting its URL, using third-party tools, or checking your server logs for any errors or inconsistencies.

Are there any known bugs or issues with the monitoring service that may cause the status to be incorrect?

While the monitoring service strives to provide accurate results, occasional bugs or issues may cause incorrect statuses. Regular updates and patches are released to address these issues, and users are encouraged to keep their service up-to-date.

Can user settings or configuration errors in the monitoring service lead to wrong monitor statuses?

User settings or configuration errors can cause wrong monitor statuses if, for example, an incorrect URL is entered or if the monitoring thresholds are set too low, causing false alarms.

How can I resolve discrepancies in my monitor status and ensure it reflects the accurate state of my website?

To resolve discrepancies in your monitor status, verify your website's actual status, ensure your settings are correct, and contact support if necessary. Adjusting monitoring intervals or thresholds may also help improve accuracy.

Who should I contact for support if I believe my monitor status is incorrect, and what information should I provide to facilitate a resolution?

If you believe your monitor status is incorrect, contact the support team for assistance. Provide details such as your website's URL, the current monitor status, your expected status, and any additional information that may help diagnose and resolve the issue.

F.A.Q - False-Positive Alerts

What is a false-positive monitor status, and how can it affect my website monitoring?

A false-positive monitor status occurs when the monitoring service mistakenly reports your website as offline or experiencing issues when it is actually functioning correctly. This can lead to unnecessary alerts and confusion for the website owner or administrator.

What is a false-negative monitor status, and how can it impact my website monitoring?

A false-negative monitor status happens when the monitoring service incorrectly reports your website as online and functioning properly when it is actually experiencing issues or downtime. This can cause a delayed response in addressing the actual problems, potentially affecting your website's performance and user experience.

How can I identify if I have received a false-positive or false-negative monitor status?

To identify a false-positive or false-negative monitor status, you can manually check your website's accessibility and functionality, use third-party monitoring tools for comparison, and examine server logs for discrepancies between reported and actual website status.

What are some common causes of false-positive and false-negative monitor statuses?

Common causes of false-positive and false-negative monitor statuses include temporary connectivity issues, misconfigured settings in the monitoring service, issues with the monitoring service infrastructure, and unexpected responses from your website.

How can I prevent false-positive or false-negative monitor statuses in the future?

To prevent false-positive or false-negative monitor statuses, ensure that your monitoring settings are correctly configured, keep the monitoring service up-to-date, and consider using multiple monitoring tools for redundancy. Regularly reviewing and adjusting monitoring thresholds can also help minimize false alerts.

What should I do if I receive a false-positive or false-negative monitor status?

If you receive a false-positive or false-negative monitor status, first verify your website's actual status and functionality. Next, review your monitoring settings and make any necessary adjustments. If the issue persists, consider contacting the support team for assistance or exploring alternative monitoring solutions.

Can I adjust the monitoring service settings to reduce the likelihood of false-positive or false-negative monitor statuses?

Yes, adjusting monitoring settings such as monitoring intervals, response time thresholds, and content checks can help reduce the likelihood of false-positive or false-negative monitor statuses. Fine-tuning these settings to match your website's specific requirements will improve the accuracy of the monitoring service.

Should I contact the monitoring service support team if I frequently receive false-positive or false-negative monitor statuses?

If you frequently receive false-positive or false-negative monitor statuses despite verifying your website's status and adjusting settings, contacting the support team can help identify and resolve any underlying issues. Provide relevant information such as your website URL, monitor status history, and any additional details that might help diagnose the problem.