When browsing the internet, few things are more frustrating than encountering an error message that prevents you from accessing a website. One such common issue is the HTTP 403 Forbidden Error. If you are facing the 403 Error on your own site, don’t worry, it can happen on any site, and it is common for users to be left confused as to what went awry.
In this blog, we’ll cover what exactly the 403 Error is, the reasons why it happens, and how we can resolve the issue.
Related Articles –
HTTP 400 Bad Request Error: What It Is & How to Fix It?
HTTP 401 Unauthorized Response Error: What it is & How to Fix it?
What is an HTTP 403 Forbidden Error?
The 403 Forbidden Error is an HTTP response that means the server has a legitimate understanding of the request you are making, but is refusing to authorize it. In other words, the server knows who you are, but it’s denying you access to that page or resource.
The 403 Forbidden Error differs from other errors, like the 401 Unauthorized Error (which generally means you need to log in), because access is expressly denied even if you are authenticated.
Common Causes of the 403 Forbidden Error
To remediate the issue, it is important to understand the foundation of the problem. These are the most common reasons you may be seeing 403 Error Codes:
Incorrect File or Folder Permissions
Websites run on servers with AJAX that have strict permission settings are an important distinction to make. If there are improper file or folder permissions, access to files or access to certain directories could be obstructed.
IP Address Blocking
Your IP address may have been blocked because of suspicious events or geographical-based restrictions set by the website.
Incorrect .htaccess File Configuration
A damaged or incorrectly set .htaccess file will commonly create 403 Forbidden Errors.
Authentication Issues
Some sites reserve certain portions of a site for only logged-in users. If your credentials are incorrect or simply missing, you can expect to see this error.
Directory Browsing Disabled
If you access a directory without an index file, and the browsing directory is disabled, it will send a 403 Forbidden response.
Security Plugins or Firewalls
Security tools on some websites may misidentify users and block access because they detect a normal user as a threat.
How to Fix the 403 Forbidden Error?
The methods of resolution will differ if you are a visitor to the website or an owner of the website. Let’s look into both points of view:
For Website Visitors:
Refresh the Page
This is sometimes a temporary error. A refresh (Ctrl + R) can fix it.
Check the URL
Make sure you have typed the right URL. Mistypes, even small ones, can produce the 403 Error Codes.
Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
Old backup files or bad cookies may be preventing you from accessing the site. Clearing those will often solve the problem.
Log in if Required
Some sites restrict content for logged-in users only. Ensure you are properly logged in.
Choose a Different Network or VPN
If you suspect that your IP address was blocked, then switching networks or using a VPN may be the best option.
For Website Owners:
Check File Ownership and Permissions
Review and set file and folder permissions:
- Files: 644
- Folders: 755
Check the .htaccess file
Look through the .htaccess file to see if there are problems. If you do not know if it worked, you can rename your .htaccess file to see if the error message disappears.
Check any security plugins or firewall rules
You can disable plugins one at a time or check for firewall rules that are blocking legitimate traffic.
Check and Validate Any Authentication Settings
Double-check to make sure the restricted pages actually do need the right credentials, and look into how the pages were configured.
Contact Your Hosting Provider
If you are unable to find anything, your hosting provider should be able to assist you in finding configuration problems.
Why it’s Important to Fix 403 Errors?
If a website does not fix 403 Forbidden Errors, it can cause negative effects on:
- User Experience: A visitor may visit your website but leave within seconds.
- SEO Rankings: Multiple instances of errors can illustrate to search engine crawlers that the issue prohibits ranking.
- Business Reputation: If customers are unable to reach important pages, they are less likely to trust your site.
Final Thoughts
Encountering the HTTP 403 Forbidden Error is not as scary as it seems, and it is usually relatively easy to troubleshoot and fix! No matter if you’re a visitor or a website-owner (they’re not mutually exclusive!), following a few steps in the right direction can help you gain access back to important webpages.
If you have an Adobe Commerce (Magento 2) store, regardless of its size, errors like these can negatively impact your business. At MageComp, we offer a plethora of solutions for everything regarding Magento development, troubleshooting, and server optimization. Our experts will fix your issues quickly and get your eCommerce store running smoothly again.
FAQ
1. What does the 403 Forbidden Error mean?
The server has understood your request, but it is denying access to the resource.
2. Is the 403 Error the same as the 401 Error?
No, a 401 Error indicates that authentication is required, and it will be denied until authentication is provided, while a 403 Error indicates that authentication will not allow access.
3. Can the 403 Error be caused by my browser?
Yes, sometimes obsolete cache or cookies can trigger the error.
4. How do I fix the 403 Forbidden Error as a site owner?
Check the file permissions and .htaccess configuration, and security settings.
5. Can a hosting provider help fix 403 Errors?
Yes, hosting providers can diagnose the other errors that may have originated from the server–the 403 Error does indicate there is a server issue that needs to be addressed.
