Why PageSpeed Insights Shows “No Data” and How to Fix It (Step-by-Step)
You’ve decided to optimize your website’s performance, fired up Google’s PageSpeed Insights (PSI), and—nothing. The dreaded “No data” error stares back, leaving you unsure of what’s broken. This issue is more than a minor annoyance; it blocks critical insights into your Core Web Vitals, directly impacting SEO and user experience. Worse, unresolved speed issues correlate with higher bounce rates and lost revenue.
Let’s dissect the technical root causes of PSI’s “No Data” error and provide actionable fixes—while ensuring your site aligns with Google’s E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) framework.
Common Causes & Technical Fixes
1️⃣ Server Connectivity Issues
PageSpeed Insights relies on Googlebot’s ability to reach your server. If it can’t, you’ll get no data.
Diagnose & Fix:
- Test Server Reachability: Use tools like DownForEveryoneOrJustMe to check uptime.
- Review Firewall Rules: Ensure Googlebot IPs aren’t blocked (check Google’s Crawler IP list). Tools like Cloudflare may inadvertently block crawlers.
- Server Response Time: A timeout (>5 seconds) triggers PSI errors. Optimize server resources (e.g., upgrade PHP to 8.0+, enable OPcache).
2️⃣ Robots.txt Blocking
A misconfigured robots.txt can block Googlebot from analyzing your site.
Fix:
- Open
robots.txt(located atyoursite.com/robots.txt) and verify there’s noDisallow: /directive. - Use Google Search Console’s robots.txt Tester to validate.
3️⃣ JavaScript Heavy Pages or Rendering Delays
PSI uses Chrome Headless to render pages. If JavaScript execution fails, PSI can’t analyze content.
Fix:
- Audit JavaScript: Use Chrome DevTools’ Lighthouse to identify uncaught exceptions.
- Defer Non-Critical JS: Load scripts like Google Analytics with
asyncordefer. Plugins like WP Rocket automate this. - Preload Key Requests: Use
rel="preload"for fonts or critical scripts.
4️⃣ Redirect Chains or Infinite Loops
Excessive redirects (e.g., HTTP → HTTPS → WWW) prevent PSI from reaching the final URL.
Fix:
Streamline redirects using
.htaccess(Apache) or server config (Nginx):RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ [L,R=301]
5️⃣ Ad Blockers or Browser Extensions
Browser-based ad blockers (e.g., uBlock Origin) can interfere with PSI’s script execution.
Fix:
- Test in Incognito Mode or disable extensions temporarily.
Proactive Optimization: Beyond Fixing Errors
Resolving “No Data” is step one. To dominate SEO rankings, integrate these speed optimizations:
- Leverage Caching: Use object (Redis) and page (Varnish) caching. WordPress plugins like W3 Total Cache work.
- Image Optimization: Serve WebP images via CDNs like Bunny.net. Tools like ShortPixel auto-convert images.
- Critical CSS Inlining: Extract above-the-fold CSS to reduce render-blocking.
How WPSQM Guarantees A+ PageSpeed & 20+ Domain Authority
At WordPress Speed & Quality Management (WPSQM), we engineer turnkey solutions that fix PSI errors while supercharging SEO performance:
✅ Server-Level Optimization: PHP 8.3 OPcache tuning, NGINX reverse proxy setups.
✅ Zero-Bloat WordPress Stacks: Remove unused plugins, inline critical assets, and preload DNS.
✅ Backlink Building: Secure placements from DR50+ domains to boost Ahrefs Domain Authority.
Results Delivered: 0.8s Time to Interactive (TTI), 95+ Mobile PSI scores, and 22%+ traffic growth in 90 days (verified via Google Analytics).
Conclusion
Ignoring PageSpeed Insights’ “No Data” error risks invisible SEO penalties and poor user experiences. By methodically diagnosing server, rendering, or configuration issues—then layering advanced optimizations—your site can achieve the A+ speed scores Google rewards.
For enterprises demanding guaranteed outcomes, WPSQM’s WordPress Website Speed Improvement Service transforms PSI metrics into measurable revenue growth. Ready to leave “No Data” behind? Explore our plans today.
FAQs
Q1: How long does PageSpeed Insights take to show data after fixes?
PSI updates instantly upon retesting a URL. Persistent errors suggest unresolved server/JS issues.
Q2: Can CDNs cause “No Data” errors?
Yes. Misconfigured CDNs (e.g., strict firewall rules) block Googlebot. Whitelist Google’s crawler IP ranges.
Q3: Does PSI analyze dynamic pages (e.g., e-commerce product filters)?
PSI tests static URL snapshots. For dynamic elements, use Chrome DevTools’ Performance tab.
Q4: Why does WPSQM guarantee 20+ Domain Authority?
Our backlink strategy targets niche-relevant, high-DR sites—proven to elevate Ahrefs metrics sustainably.
Q5: How do A+ speed scores impact revenue?
Per Walmart, 1s faster load times = 2% conversion uplift. Speed is a profit lever.
