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cpp-httplib/docs-src/pages/en/cookbook/w03-websocket-close.md
2026-04-10 19:02:44 -04:00

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---
title: "W03. Handle Connection Close"
order: 53
status: "draft"
---
A WebSocket ends when either side closes it explicitly, or when the network drops. Handle close cleanly, and your cleanup and reconnect logic stays tidy.
## Detect a closed connection
When `ws.read()` returns `ReadResult::Fail`, the connection is gone — either cleanly or with an error. Break out of the loop and the handler will finish.
```cpp
svr.WebSocket("/chat", [](const httplib::Request &req, httplib::ws::WebSocket &ws) {
std::string msg;
while (ws.is_open()) {
auto result = ws.read(msg);
if (result == httplib::ws::ReadResult::Fail) {
std::cout << "disconnected" << std::endl;
break;
}
handle_message(ws, msg);
}
// cleanup runs once we're out of the loop
cleanup_user_session(req);
});
```
You can also check `ws.is_open()` — it's the same signal from a different angle.
## Close from the server side
To close explicitly, call `close()`.
```cpp
ws.close(httplib::ws::CloseStatus::Normal, "bye");
```
The first argument is the close status; the second is an optional reason. Common `CloseStatus` values:
| Value | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| `Normal` (1000) | Normal closure |
| `GoingAway` (1001) | Server is shutting down |
| `ProtocolError` (1002) | Protocol violation detected |
| `UnsupportedData` (1003) | Received data that can't be handled |
| `PolicyViolation` (1008) | Violated a policy |
| `MessageTooBig` (1009) | Message too large |
| `InternalError` (1011) | Server-side error |
## Close from the client side
The client API is identical.
```cpp
cli.close(httplib::ws::CloseStatus::Normal);
```
Destroying the client also closes the connection, but calling `close()` explicitly makes the intent clearer.
## Graceful shutdown
To notify in-flight clients that the server is going down, use `GoingAway`.
```cpp
ws.close(httplib::ws::CloseStatus::GoingAway, "server restarting");
```
The client can inspect that status and decide whether to reconnect.
## Example: a tiny chat with quit
```cpp
svr.WebSocket("/chat", [](const auto &req, auto &ws) {
std::string msg;
while (ws.is_open()) {
if (ws.read(msg) == httplib::ws::ReadResult::Fail) break;
if (msg == "/quit") {
ws.send("goodbye");
ws.close(httplib::ws::CloseStatus::Normal, "user quit");
break;
}
ws.send("echo: " + msg);
}
});
```
> **Note:** On a sudden network drop, `read()` returns `Fail` with no chance to call `close()`. Put your cleanup at the end of the handler, and both paths — clean close and abrupt disconnect — end up in the same place.