The Comprehensive Guide to Understanding and Resolving 403 Errors

A 403 error can interrupt a user’s day and result in frustrated visitors to your website. It can even lead to loss in traffic and revenue depending on the affected page. But what causes such errors? And what’s the remedy? Find out more in this insightful post.

Table of Contents

  1. What is a 403 error?
  2. How are 403 errors different from other 4xx errors?
  3. What Causes a 403 error?
  4. How to fix a 403 error on your site?

What is a 403 Error?

A 403 forbidden error typically pops up when a user tries to access a website directory or a page with restricted permissions. Most websites disallow directory browsing to protect sensitive files. In some cases, a 403 error could be an indicator of a website compromise, resulting from malware or a compromised .htaccess file.

How are 403 errors different from other 4xx errors?

Unlike the generic 400 errors, 4xx response errors indicate specific client-side issues. While a 400 error denotes a bad request, a 401 error signifies unauthorized access, and so on. A 403 error specifically denotes forbidden access to a specific resource.

What Causes a 403 Error?

A plethora of reasons can lead to a 403 error, including:

  • Restricted directories or pages
  • Incorrect file or folder permissions
  • Corrupt .htaccess file
  • WordPress plugin issues
  • Missing index page
  • Incorrect IP address
  • Malware infection

To ensure a smooth user experience and maintain the website’s reputation, it’s crucial to address these issues promptly.

How to fix a 403 error on your site?

403 errors can often be solved with simple actions. Below is a chronological step-wise guide for troubleshooting:

  1. Verify the Address and Refresh the Page: Check the URL and its spelling. Try reloading (refreshing) the page.

  2. Clear your Browser Cache: This will force your browser to fetch the most recent version of the webpage directly from the server.

  3. Modify your File and Directory Permissions: Connect to your server via FTP/SFTP and review the file permissions. Update as necessary.

  4. Check for Recently Installed or Updated Software: Inspect your website for any new and unfamiliar plugins or themes. Check the vendor’s website for specific instructions. If you find anything unusual, remove the component and scan your website for malware.

  5. Check your .htaccess File: Locate the .htaccess file-a hidden file in the public_html folder. Checking this file is specific to cPanel users.

  6. Temporarily Deactivate your CDN: Content delivery networks (CDNs) can sometimes block access to certain resources due to misconfigurations or security policies. Temporarily disabling your CDN could help find out if this was the source of your error.

  7. Disconnect from your VPN: Some websites block access to users connected through a VPN to prevent potential abuse or circumvention of geo-restrictions.

  8. Scan your Website for Security Issues and Malware: Run an extensive scan of your website’s files.

Follow up with your hosting provider if none of the above solutions work. They can assist you with server configuration or hosting infrastructure issues.

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