What is HTTP Error Code 403

What Causes the "Forbidden 403" Error?

Server-Side Issues

• File Permission Misconfigurations: HTTP error code 403 is usually caused by incorrect file or directory permissions. If the server has set permissions and does not allow random access, it will give a 403 forbidden error, and people will not be able to enter.
• .htaccess File Errors: On an Apache server, a 403 error code often appears if the .htaccess file has an error or is not configured correctly. Malware that modifies this file might also cause that annoying 403 error.
• Missing Index Page: If there is no default file like index.html in the directory and listing its contents is not allowed, the server will return http error code 403.
• WordPress Plugin Conflicts: Incompatible plugins, especially several security tool plugins, will lock the wp-content folder, resulting in a 403 error code.
• IP Address Restrictions: If the IP segment is disabled or the old DNS record is used, the website may display a 403 forbidden access is denied prompt.
• Directory Listing Disabled: If there are no indexed files, people accessing the folder will see error code 403.
• Rate Limiting: When it receives too many requests (like when crawling data), the server may temporarily return a 403 and prevent you from continuing to access.
• Hotlink Protection Misconfigurations: Incorrect anti-hotlinking rules might block legitimate traffic with http error code 403.
• CDN Configuration Flaws: If the CDN cache configuration is wrong, even if the source server is fine, it may distribute incorrect 403 codes.
• Overly Strict Security Policies: Aggressive server-level security settings might wrongly flag valid requests as 403 forbidden access is denied.

Client-Side Issues

• Incorrect URLS: Misspelling the location may result in a 403 error code if the paths do not match the resource on the server.
• Outdated Browser Data: Old paths or expired cookies saved in the computer may cause the browser to visit several invalid websites, resulting in a 403 error code.
• VPN/Proxy Blocking: If the server blocks the VPN/Proxy IP, they will get a 403 forbidden error.
• Malware Interference: Once the client is contaminated, it may modify the query, sometimes causing a 403 error code.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Solve Error Code 403

For Website Visitors

• Refresh the Page: Sometimes this kind of failure is temporary, and simply refreshing the page can solve the problem.
• Double-Check the URL: Check if the URL you entered is correct. Also, don't try to open the folder directly; it has to be a specific website.
• Clear Browser Cache and Cookies: Sometimes, old browser information can cause this problem. Clearing your browser cache and cookies may fix the problem.
• Try a Different Browser: To troubleshoot possible browser-specific issues, visit the website using a different web browser.
• Turn off VPN Temporarily: If you are using a VPN, turn it off temporarily and see if you can access the website smoothly. Several websites block traffic from known VPN servers.
• Check if the Site is Down for Everyone: While "forbidden 403" is usually caused by insufficient permissions, you can use several online detection tools to confirm whether everyone is unable to access the website. If this is the case, the problem is on the server.
• Contact the Website Owner: If the previous approaches do not work, there is a high probability that there is a problem with the server. It is recommended to directly contact the administrator or person in charge of the website to report the situation.

For Website Owners

• Review Server Error Logs: Check the server's error log to get a more detailed understanding of where the "HTTP error code 403" is reported from. These logs often give hints about authorisation problems or other server-related issues.
• Check and Reset File and Directory Permissions: To avoid the web page error "forbidden 403," the first task is to check whether the file and directory permissions are set correctly. Incorrect permissions are the most common reason. Permissions can be viewed and adjusted using an FTP client or your hosting control panel. Generally speaking, it is superior to set file permissions to 644, and for directories, setting them to 755 is about the same.
• Assess and Restore the .htaccess File (Apache): A corrupted .htaccess file can lead to a "forbidden 403" error. Protect your .htaccess file and try deleting it. If your website becomes accessible, the .htaccess file was likely the problem. You can try to rebuild it, or build a new one with the regulation settings.
• Deactivate WordPress Plugins: If you are using WordPress, disable all plugins. If the 403 Forbidden error is gone, re-enable your plugins one by one to see which one was causing the problem.
• Check for a Missing Index Page: If the directory listing function is turned off, you need to check whether there is a file called index.html or index.php in the root directory of your website and other directories you want users to go to.
• Verify IP Address Configuration: Check the DNS records for your domain name to see if they point to the correct IP address of your server. An incorrect or outdated IP address can sometimes lead to a "forbidden 403" error.
• Scan for Malware: Take a good look at your server to see if there's any malware hiding there. Sometimes, malicious software can modify file permissions or settings, resulting in a 403 Forbidden error.
• Check Hotlink Protection Settings: If you have hotlink protection enabled, check your configuration to ensure it does not prevent legitimate access to resources.
• Temporarily Disable CDN: If you use a CDN, disable it first to see if the problem continues. If the problem resolves on its own, then there may be something wrong with the content delivery network configuration.
• Review Server Configuration: In more troublesome cases, you may need to check the main configuration file of your web server, like httpd.conf for Apache or nginx.conf for Nginx, to see if there are any access restrictions set there that are causing the "403 Forbidden" error.
• Contact Hosting Provider: If you’ve tried all of the above and are still getting a 403 Forbidden error, contact your hosting provider for technical assistance. They can detect and pinpoint what is going wrong at the server level.

Frequently Asked Questions on Forbidden 403

Does "403 forbidden" mean I'm blocked?

Does "403" mean a site is down?

Error code 401 vs. 403: What's the difference?

• 401 Unauthorised means that the client must first prove who they are before they can access what they want to see. The server can find the resource, but you have to log in first to access it. It needs the correct login credentials, like username and password. Look at it as if you need a ticket to attend an event.
• 403 Forbidden means that the server understands the request and can identify the client if authenticated, but the client does not have permission to access the resource, regardless of whether they provide credentials or not. Using the event analogy, this would be like having a valid ticket but still being denied entry because you are not on the guest list for a specific area.

Preventing "Forbidden 403" from Occurring

• Maintain proper file/directory permissions: To allow the web server to read the files it needs smoothly, you must also limit its access to sensitive resources. Improperly configured permissions often result in forbidden 403.
• Back up .htaccess (Apache users): Before modifying your .htaccess file, make multiple backups so you can switch it back if you get a 403 forbidden error later.
• Update WordPress plugins/themes: Old plugins or themes may not be compatible or have security issues, which may cause troublesome 403 errors. Choosing reliable plugins and themes can decrease security risks and make them safer.
• Strengthen security practices: Use more complex passwords, update software when necessary, and install a few security plugins to prevent malicious software from appearing, together with error code 403.
• Monitor server logs: Discover abnormal operations or permission configuration problems early to prevent massive 403 error code problems.
• Configure hotlink protection/CDNs carefully: To avoid 403 forbidden errors, it is best to carefully configure hotlink protection and CDN settings. If they go wrong, resource access may be interrupted, or the connection between CDN and the origin server may fail.
• Conduct security audits: Regularly review server settings and application code to look for "little holes" that could cause 403 error codes to appear. Consistently following these measures can reduce the likelihood of error code 403 and secure smoother visitor interactions.

Troubleshooting Error Code 403 From Now On