HTTP Error Codes and Solutions | Common Error Messages Explained

Common HTTP Error Codes and Solutions

It can happen that your website suddenly becomes unavailable, with a three-digit error code on your screen. What now? We discuss the six most common HTTP error codes, what they mean, and how to fix them.

401 Error - Unauthorized

A 401 error means that you cannot access a certain page without logging in first. You often see this in a customer portal, employee environment, or admin area. Usually it is a temporary problem, but sometimes you need to intervene.

Causes and solutions:

  1. Invalid login details: Please check that your username and password are correct, and check for typos.
  2. Missing Authorization: Make sure you have sufficient rights to access.
  3. Session Expired: Log in again if your session has expired or the access token no longer works.
  4. Firewall or IP restrictions: Sometimes access is blocked based on IP address. Check your settings and try logging in from a different network or device.
Idea
Quick tip: Check your login details, try a different device, or connect via VPN if required.

403 Error - Forbidden

Are you getting a 403 error? Then you do not have the right permissions for the page. You may need to be logged in or the page may not be accessible.

Solutions:

  1. Blocking .htaccess rule: Temporarily rename the .htaccess file to see if a rule is blocking access.
  2. Incorrect folder: Check that your website is in the correct folder, such as public_html.
  3. Incorrect index filename: Make sure the index filename is exactly correct (e.g. index.html, index.php), and pay attention to capitalization.

404 Error - Page Not Found

The well-known 404 error indicates that the requested page or path no longer exists. This can be caused by broken links or missing files.

Solutions:

  1. Recover Deleted Page: Restore accidentally deleted pages.
  2. Use a 301 redirect: Redirect old URLs to the correct new location.
  3. Check Link Structure and URLs: Check that links are correct and free of typos.
  4. Check file name and path: Verify that the file name and location are correct.
  5. Reset WordPress Permalink: In WordPress, go to Settings > Permalinks and click Save Changes.

Want to learn more about the impact of 404 errors on your SEO? Check out our article here .

500 Error - Internal Server Error

A 500 error indicates an internal server error, meaning something fundamental is going wrong, such as a code error or database problems.

Solutions:

  1. Reload the page: Sometimes the problem is temporary and goes away after a reload.
  2. Clear your cache: Clear your browser cache to see if the error goes away.
  3. Check the .htaccess file: An error in it can cause a 500 error.
  4. PHP Error Message: Check if the error is caused by a PHP error.
  5. Check hosting limit: Consider a larger hosting package if your current package is too small.
Are you considering expanding your hosting package? Feel free to contact our sales department, they will be happy to help you!

502 Error - Bad Gateway

A 502 error means that there is a problem between the server and a remote connection, often due to stuck PHP processes.

Solutions:

  1. Control cURL requests: Limit the number of external connections.
  2. Use APM tools: Tools like New Relic can help pinpoint issues.
  3. Reduce the cURL timeout: For example, reduce it from 30 to 5 seconds.
  4. Pause external connections: Create a workaround to temporarily pause them.

Want to learn more about 502 errors? Check out our article here .

503 Error - Service Unavailable

The 503 error indicates a (temporary) unavailability of the server, often due to maintenance or overload.

Solutions:

  1. Check Status Page: Check if any maintenance or outages have been reported on our status page.
  2. Problems caused by plugins: Temporarily disable problematic plugins and see if that helps.

Other errors

If the error you are looking for is not listed or you are unable to solve the problem, please contact our customer service, we are happy to help you!


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