Creating a Monitor
Learn how to set up a new monitor in UptimeObserver to track the availability and performance of your websites, APIs, and services.
Overview
A monitor is a check that UptimeObserver performs at regular intervals to verify that your endpoint is available and responding correctly. When an issue is detected, you'll receive instant alerts through your configured integrations.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Access the Dashboard
Log in to your UptimeObserver dashboard. You'll see an overview of your existing monitors and their current status.
2. Click "Add Monitor"
Go to "Monitoring" then "Monitors"
Click the "New Monitor" button to open the monitor creation form.
3. Select Monitor Type
Choose the type of monitor that matches your needs:
| Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| HTTP(S) | Websites, REST APIs, web applications |
| DNS | Domain configuration, DNS record validation |
| Port | Web servers, mail servers, custom TCP/UDP services |
4. Configure Basic Settings
All monitor types share these common settings:
Monitor Friendly Name
Give your monitor a descriptive name that helps you identify it quickly (e.g., "Production API", "Main Website", "Website AAAA DNS Record").
Check Frequency
Set how often UptimeObserver should check your endpoint:
| Interval | Recommended For |
|---|---|
| 30 seconds to 1 minute | Mission-critical services requiring immediate detection |
| 5 minutes | Production websites and APIs |
| 15 minutes | Less critical services, staging environments |
| 30+ minutes | Low-priority endpoints |
Plan Availability
Check frequency options may vary based on your subscription plan.
Timeout
Configure how long UptimeObserver should wait for a response before marking the check as failed. A typical timeout is 15 seconds, but you may need to adjust this for slower endpoints to avoid false positives.
5. Configure Type-Specific Settings
Depending on your chosen monitor type, you'll need to configure additional settings:
- HTTP(S): URL, HTTP method, expected status code, HTTP body encoding, HTTP body, SSL monitoring
- DNS: Hostname, record type, expected value, DNS server
- Port: Hostname/IP, port number, protocol (TCP/UDP)
See the individual monitor type guides for detailed configuration options.
6. Set Up Alerts
Connect your preferred notification channels to receive alerts when issues are detected:
- Click "Add Alert" or navigate to the alerts section
- Select from your configured integrations (Slack, email, SMS, etc.)
- Choose when to be notified (on failure, on recovery, or both)
Alert Best Practices
Set up at least two alert channels for critical monitors to ensure you never miss a notification.
7. Save and Activate
Click "Create Monitor" to create your monitor. UptimeObserver will immediately begin monitoring your endpoint at the configured interval.
What Happens Next
Once your monitor is active:
- First check runs immediately after saving
- Subsequent checks run at your configured interval
- Response times are recorded for performance tracking
- Alerts trigger when failures are detected
- Recovery notifications are sent when the endpoint comes back online
Managing Your Monitor
After creation, you can:
- Edit settings — Update configuration at any time
- Pause monitoring — Temporarily disable checks during maintenance
- View history — See uptime statistics and response time trends
- Delete — Remove monitors you no longer need
Need Help?
If you need assistance setting up a monitor, reach out using the "Need Help?" button on the bottom right corner or email us at support@uptimeobserver.com.