---
title: Synthetic monitoring: Troubleshoot downtime
source: https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/synthetics/synthetic-monitoring/pages/synthetic-monitoring-troubleshoot-downtime
---

Use the **Failures** page to locate and troubleshoot downtime alert events or other errors. A downtime alert event occurs whenever a monitor fails to completely execute. For example, a ping monitor is "down" when the GET request fails, while a scripted browser monitor is "down" if any part of the script fails to execute. After locating an interesting downtime, select it to [view detailed results from that downtime alert event](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/synthetics/new-relic-synthetics/using-monitors/viewing-monitor-results#understanding) and troubleshoot.

## View the failures page [#viewing]

To access your monitor's failures: **[one.newrelic.com >Synthetic monitoring](https://one.newrelic.com/synthetics-nerdlets)** > (select a monitor) > **Failures**.

![Synthetic monitoring - Failures page](https://docs.newrelic.com/images/synthetic_screenshot-full_failure-page.webp "Synthetic monitoring - Failures page")

Hover the mouse over a failure to get quick data about it. Click on the dot to open a detailed report of the failure. You can also click **Run check** to [recheck the failed monitors](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/synthetics/synthetic-monitoring/using-monitors/recheck-failed-monitors).

## View individual downtimes [#individual]

You can select individual downtime alert events to view them in more detail. Depending on the specific failure, a downtime result could include only the server error message (such as **Server replied with "HTTP 500" error**), or a full or partial [waterfall view](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/synthetics/new-relic-synthetics/using-monitors/viewing-monitor-results#understanding).

Downtime results include waterfalls when only part of a monitor executed correctly. For example, a [301 redirect](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_301) could link to a failing web page. The browser correctly executes the redirect, but the destination web page returns an error. Use the error message or waterfall to troubleshoot the downtime alert event.

## Use page functions [#using]

The **Failures** page supports the following features:

| **If you want to...**                                   | **Do this...**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| ------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Sort the list of downtimes                              | In the table header, select **Time** or **Message** to sort the list. Select **Time** or **Message** again to change from ascending sort to descending sort order.                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Filter by location                                      | Select a location label to hide downtime alert events from that location. Select the location label again to unhide those results. To view results from only one location, hide every other location.                                                                                                                                                                      |
| Quickly access another monitor                          | - At the top of the screen, click on the name of the current monitor to open the dropdown menu. - Select from the list of recent monitors, or enter a name in the search field to search for a specific monitor. ![Switch synthetic monitor quickly](https://docs.newrelic.com/images/synthetic_screenshot-crop_new-monitor-quick.webp "Switch synthetic monitor quickly") |
| Change the time frame                                   | Use the [time picker](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/query-your-data/explore-query-data/dashboards/manage-your-dashboard/#dash-time-picker) to adjust the number of downtime alert events returned.                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Avoid extra noise and get notified after three failures | Read our blog post on the [three strikes rule](https://support.newrelic.com/s/hubtopic/aAX8W0000008b18/relic-solution-understanding-the-three-strikes-behavior-in-synthetics).                                                                                                                                                                                             |