Quote from Winter on 11/05/2026, 5:12 pm

Not really a helpful idea, more of an observation. I have been experiencing sporadic "500" errors during auto feed updates from archive.org based feeds for a few weeks.. using podcast addict and firefox on android. Generally speaking an individual manual refresh, or two, fixes the issue for the affected feeds. On the occasions when this hasn't been the case further investigation usually results in indications that the site is extremely busy or down.. long load times, failed page loading, or simply errors. So far I've not encountered a situation where I can load pages from archive.org yet can't refresh feeds, or download files, via my app.. albeit sometimes with a few attempts. 

My assumption, so far, is been weight of traffic at archive.org.. not least because these issues seem more common at times when higher U.S. bases traffic might be expected. 

All of the above may be unrelated to what you're experiencing Joker, as I don't seem to be experiencing issues this afternoon, but thought I'd share in case it's useful.. even if just to confirm it's an archive.org issue.

Correction.. I am experiencing the same issue on some feeds. I hadn't checked enough feeds and had been lucky that the ones I'd tried were working.

Quote from TheJ0ker on 11/05/2026, 5:26 pm

You are absolutely right. In the past 500 error has usually been due to heavy traffic to the site and as you stated normally related to the USA traffic. 

But this seems to have increased to the point where other users are reporting links down, and I'm finding that if I normally wait a while and try again it works. But that's not happening anymore. Archive links are down more than they are up. 

As u say using the podcast links seems to be a better option because you download the links once to the podcast app.

Let hope archive sort out there load issues and @winter thanks for commenting. I hope others can use your experience to help them to continue to listen to comtent.

Quote from Alix on 28/06/2026, 10:23 am

I'm still experiencing this problem in the UK. All my devices are on Firefox and I've added archive.org to my safe lists but just get 'secure connection failed'.

There are various sites that run tests and insist that the site is running in Europe and London (and everywhere) but scores of user reports saying they can't access it.

As Joker says, it usually sorts itself out quickly but it's been over a week now.

Any other suggestions would be most welcome, if the site is up, why can some of us not access it? 

Quote from YasserTariq on 28/06/2026, 8:14 pm

Which links? Paste them here, so the webmaster can check.

Quote from TheJ0ker on 29/06/2026, 6:20 pm

Which provider are you trying to access from.. Have you tried connect to a different network. Ie tried from your phone rather than your PC to try and isolate the issue.

Dont forget to disable wifi when trying to access the links.

We also find the mobile phone providers especially in the UK have archive.org set as a unallowed site so wont allow you to access.

Let us know we are always happy to help

Quote from Alix on 30/06/2026, 6:42 pm

Hi Joker thanks for replying so  quickly. 

I live in a minibus so I have mobile data only. I have 2 Android devices and a laptop on Windows 11. It worked fine until recently but it doesn't seem to be resolving itself this time. Sometimes it happens for a day or two at most.

I also have a raspberry pi with a 12v screen that was my computer when I only had one solar panel! Should I revive it and see if makes a difference? Linux tends to just do what you tell it and little else.

I use Firefox with some privacy addons, but I have whitelisted the site. 

I was nearly at the end of Holmes and Moriarty! Be great to figure this out. 

Maybe a VPN? I will try from work's wifi to see if it is my mobile provider, and let you know the result.

Thanks for your time 

Quote from TheJ0ker on 01/07/2026, 10:47 pm

Ok... so your only source of connection to the internet is mobile data. Whether is is via the phone laptop or raspberry PI. 

I have found that some mobile networks list archive.org, which is where I find the files, is classed as a non friendly site and is blocked by the network itself. To resolve this you need to either go into your setting on O2, Vodafone or whichever provider. Below is a quick search I did, I suggest you do something similar.

and Good luck

______________________________________________

To resolve mobile provider blocks on archive.org (often triggered by network-level adult content filters miscategorizing the site as "proxies" or "unrated"), use a VPN or switch your DNS settings. In the UK, this issue frequently impacts providers like EE, giffgaff, Three, and Vodafone. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Apply one of these methods to regain access:

1. Disable Adult Content Filters (Network Settings)

Often, the default 18+ filter applied by UK mobile networks will restrict access to the Wayback Machine. [1, 2]

• giffgaff / O2: Log into your giffgaff Account and navigate to "Adult Content Settings". You will need to toggle the setting off, which typically requires a valid UK driving license or passport to prove age. [1, 2]
• EE: Log into your EE Account and manage your "Content Lock" or parental controls. Ensure over-18 access is permitted. [1]
• Three / Vodafone: Access your account dashboard on the provider's official app or website and look for "Web Safeguard" or "Family Filters" to disable them. [1]

2. Bypass using a VPN

Because mobile providers inject restrictions at the DNS and ISP level, using a secure VPN masks your connection and bypasses the block instantly. [1]

• Turn on a trusted mobile VPN app (such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Mullvad) before attempting to browse archive.org.

3. Change DNS on Mobile Devices

If filters are disabled but the site is still inaccessible, your mobile provider’s DNS server may still be actively refusing the connection. You can change your DNS to a public resolver: [1]

• For Android: Go to Settings > Connections > More connection settings > Private DNS. Select "Private DNS provider hostname" and enter dns.google or 1.1.1.1

• giffgaff / O2: Log into your giffgaff Account and navigate to "Adult Content Settings". You will need to toggle the setting off, which typically requires a valid UK driving license or passport to prove age. [1, 2]
• EE: Log into your EE Account and manage your "Content Lock" or parental controls. Ensure over-18 access is permitted. [1]
• Three / Vodafone: Access your account dashboard on the provider's official app or website and look for "Web Safeguard" or "Family Filters" to disable them. [1]

• Turn on a trusted mobile VPN app (such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Mullvad) before attempting to browse archive.org.

• For Android: Go to Settings > Connections > More connection settings > Private DNS. Select "Private DNS provider hostname" and enter dns.google or 1.1.1.1

Quote from Alix on 04/07/2026, 12:45 pm

Hi

Thanks. 

My provider is Smarty, I think they use Three.

I finally got them to enable adult content and now I can listen to Sherlock Holmes again! 

I never knew he was racey..

Alix 

Quote from TheJ0ker on 07/07/2026, 1:49 am

No worries... Had the same issue myself.. glad you got it sorted.