Imagine this: You try to access a webpage on your site, but instead of the expected content, you are greeted with an error message that states “403 Forbidden.” Isn’t it frustrating? Don’t worry, though; you are not alone. 403 Forbidden Errors are a common problem for most website owners. But what is Forbidden 403, and how can you fix it to keep your website running smoothly?
In this post, we’ll look at Forbidden Errors, their causes, and an effective way to resolve them. So strap in and prepare to get your website back on track!
What is a Forbidden 403 Error?
A Forbidden 403 Error is an HTTP status code that shows that the server understands the client’s request but cannot offer more access. This error message is usually displayed when users try to access a page or resource on a site they are not allowed to access.
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The website’s owners may have properly configured access permissions, but you are not allowed access to the resource. On the other hand, the website’s owners may have improperly configured permissions, and you are being denied access when you should not be. Therefore, website owners need to understand the causes of this error to take action to resolve it and ensure that their website is accessible to all users.
What Are the Key Causes of the 403 Forbidden Error?
A 403 Forbidden Error may occur for several different reasons. Some of the key causes are as follows:
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1. Incorrect File or Directory Permissions
An incorrect file or directory browsing permission on your website might cause a Forbidden 403 Error. For instance, if a file or directory is configured to “read-only” and a user tries to access it, the server will send a 403 Forbidden message and deny them access.
2. IP Blocking
Some sites use security plugins or firewalls that block access from specific Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. Suppose a user’s IP address is blocked. In that case, a 403 Forbidden Error message will show, and they will be unable to access the website.
3. Authentication Issues
Suppose a site requires users to log in or enter credentials to access certain web pages or resources. A Forbidden 403 Error might occur if the user enters incorrect login information or the authentication system fails.
4. Web Server Misconfiguration
A Forbidden 403 Error code might result from misconfiguration in the web server software or if the web server is not set up correctly. This may occur if the hosting server is upgraded or a website is moved to a new server configuration file.
What Are the Common 403 Forbidden Error Variations?
Like most other HTTP status codes, this error code can appear in several ways. Here are some common variations:
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- “Error 403: Forbidden”
- “403 Forbidden: nginx.”
- “403: Forbidden: Access is denied”
- “403 Forbidden: IP Address Rejected”- the server has blocked the client’s IP address
- “HTTP Error 403 Forbidden: “You cannot access the program you requested.”
It’s crucial to pay attention to the variation of the 403 error you get since it can help you determine the problem’s primary cause and help you take action to resolve it.
Tips on How to Resolve 403 Forbidden Errors
Resolving a 403 Forbidden Error can be time-consuming. Still, you can get your site back up and running with troubleshooting. Check out these practical tips to get you going:
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1. Refresh the Web Page and Verify the URL.
The easiest solutions are often the only ones able to solve complex problems. If you are still having trouble, try refreshing the page. The 403 Error is sometimes temporary, so keep trying.
Conversely, you can verify the URL by ensuring it’s spelled correctly. You may get a 403 Error if the address you’re trying to access is a directory rather than a web page.
2. Deactivate and Reactivate Your Plugins.
Check your WordPress plugins if the issues aren’t related to your site’s file permissions or .htaccess file. Possible causes include incompatible plugins or plugin bugs. In this case, trial and error is your best bet for identifying the problematic plugin. Specifically, you will need to disable all of your plugins before reactivating them one by one.
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Once you have determined the plugin causing the issue, you can consult the plugin’s developer for help or go for an alternate plugin that achieves the same goal.
3. Clear Your Browser Cache.
Clearing your browser’s cache is another handy solution. Although caching helps us see websites faster, there are situations when the cached version of a page differs from the real version. Clearing your browser cache will remove any stored data and reload the site’s resources, possibly resolving a 403 Error caused by corrupt or outdated cached files.
4. Disconnect from Your VPN.
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Here’s another easy tip that works every time: Some websites usually block VPN users, which may be the reason the Forbidden 403 Error is showing up. To verify this, we recommend disconnecting from the VPN and trying to access the website using a different method than your VPN. Conversely, you can connect to a server in a different location provided by your VPN.
5. Deactivate the CDN Temporarily.
Your content delivery network (CDN) may be the issue if you are getting 403 Forbidden Errors on your assets (JavaScript, CSS, and images). If that’s the case, temporarily turn off your CDN and check your website to see if the issue is fixed.
6. Delete and Restore the .htaccess File.
If your web host usually uses the Apache web server, a bug in your site’s.htaccess file may cause the 403 Forbidden error. The .htaccess file is a basic Apache web server configuration file. You can use it to create redirects, restrict access to all or sections of your website, and so on.
Since it is so powerful, even a minor mistake can result in a major issue, such as the 403 Forbidden error. Instead of debugging the .htaccess file, an easier solution is to make WordPress create a new, clean .htaccess file.
To do that:
- Connect to your web server through FTP.
- Search for the .htaccess file in your root directory.
- Download the file to your computer in case you need backup files.
- Delete the .htaccess file from your server after making a backup copy on your local computer.
7. Change Your File and Directory Permissions.
Each file and folder on your website’s server has its special file permissions that usually control who can:
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- Write: change the file, delete, or add files to a folder.
- Read: view the contents of a folder or see the data in the file.
- Execute: execute the file as a script, run it, or access a folder and perform functions and commands.
A 3-digit number usually indicates these permissions; each digit shows the permission level for the three categories above.
Usually, these permissions “work” for your website. However, if something goes south with the file access permissions on your website, it can cause the 403 Forbidden Error.
To view and change your website’s file access permissions, you must connect it through FTP or SFTP. The key principles will apply to any FTP program, although you will need to apply them to a different interface.
8. Check for Possible Misconfigurations of Hotlink Protection
Hotlinking is when a site owner uploads an image to their website, but the hosted link is still pointed to someone else’s website. Some site owners use “hotlink protection” with their host or CDN provider to prevent this from happening.
Hotlink protection may cause a 403 Forbidden Error in the case of misconfigurations. This is normal. Therefore, we recommend ensuring hotlink protection is set up properly to avoid getting a 403 Forbidden Error on something you shouldn’t be doing.
9. Contact Your Hosting
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We recommend contacting your hosting provider if none of the tips above worked for you. They can help you handle the issue and get back up and running. Besides, you can consult your internet service provider to ensure you are still connected.
Frequently Asked Questions on What is a Forbidden 403 Error
1. How Can I Fix a 403 Forbidden Java Error?
The 403 Error is often temporary; a quick refresh could fix things. Most browsers have a refresh button on the address bar and the F5 key to refresh the page. Although it doesn’t resolve the issue often, it just takes a moment to try.
2. How Can I Recover a Forbidden File?
This Forbidden 403 Error means you can’t download this file from the server. To resolve this:
- Visit the site where the file is hosted.
- Determine if you need to sign in or provide another kind of authentication.
- If you can’t sign in, consult the site or web server owner or try finding the file attributes on a different website.
3. Why Do I Keep Receiving a 403 Forbidden Error?
In this case, there are two common possible reasons: either the site owner modified the file permission settings to deny you access to the resources, or they did not configure the correct permissions. The second reason is incorrect or corrupt .htaccess file settings.
4. Does “403 Forbidden Error” Mean “Blocked”?
Although it may look intimidating initially, a Forbidden 403 Error is much easier to fix than you might think. This signifies that the site content you try to access is blocked for some predetermined reason.
5. Is a 403 Forbidden Error Bad?
The HTTP 403 Forbidden response status code shows that the web server understands the request but denies authorizing it. This status is quite similar to the 401, but reauthenticating for the 403 Forbidden status code will not fix it. Access is usually tied to the application logic, such as inadequate rights to a resource.
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Jacky Chou is an electrical engineer turned marketer. He is the founder of Indexsy, Far & Away, Laurel & Wolf, a couple FBA businesses , and about 40 affiliate sites. He is a proud native of Vancouver, BC, who has been featured on Entrepreneur.com, Forbes, Oberlo and GoDaddy.
