Encountering errors in website development and internet browsing is a common experience for users. One such error that can disrupt the functioning of a website is the “401 Unauthorized” error.
This error can be frustrating for users because it prevents them from accessing the content they were trying to view. It can also be frustrating for web administrators because it indicates a potential security issue with the website.
Let us dive deeper into what a 401 Unauthorized error is, the reasons behind it and how to effectively fix it to ensure seamless access to your web resources.
What is the “401 Unauthorized” Error?
The 401 Unauthorized error is an HTTP status code which indicates that the client is not authorized access to the requested source.
It is an authentication error, which means that the web page an individual is trying to visit is password protected, has restricted access and that the individual does not have the correct permissions to access it. This usually happens when an individual enters a wrong password or when there is a restriction on accessing the web page from the user’s geographical location.
401 errors can be a false alarm as the error might occur even when the visitor has the right credentials to that specific website. Chances are that it may even occur if the web page is not supposed to be password-protected at all. The error might be caused by a troublesome plugin, a jittery firewall or an uncooperative extension added to your website.
You may notice the HTTP 401 unauthorized error as one of the following pops up in your browser window:
- 401 Authorization Required
- 401 Unauthorized
- HTTP 401 Error – Unauthorized
- Access Denied
- HTTP Error 401
Reasons for 401 Error
The 401-error page pops up on your screen when you are trying to visit restricted sites or web pages in some cases. It will also show the error page when you try to access the restricted resources on a website.
It is prevalent to see the 401 unauthorized error when an individual tries to access a web page that requires a login using valid credentials first. An individual will get the error when they enter the wrong credentials or when they do not enter them to access a password protected page. The main message on the 401-error page is unauthorized access, which means an individual is accessing a web page without providing valid login details.
The server can block general or specific individual access to various online resources and then the error will show you a message page rather than taking you to the actual site.
Understanding the reasons behind the HTTP 401 Unauthorized error can assist in understanding and fixing the issue more efficiently. Here are some common causes of the error:
- Trying to access a protected resource without the correct URL can lead to triggering a 401 error.
- If the request made by a user does not include valid authentication credentials, then the server responds with the error.
- Providing an incorrect username or password to a restricted page is one of the most common causes of the 401 unauthorized error.
- The expiration of the user’s session might lead to the user encountering a 401 error as they try to access a resource.
How to Fix the 401 Unauthorized Error
After going through a bit of background on the 401 error, let us go through how we can resolve it. Fixing the 401 Unauthorized error involves addressing the root causes and following are several steps that help you resolve this issue:
- The easiest potential fix is to make sure you use the correct URL. 401 unauthorized errors can sometimes appear if the URL was not correctly entered in.
- Another fix for the HTTP 401 unauthorized error is that the link used to visit the page in question points to the wrong URL as it can be outdated or lead to a page that no longer exists, and no redirects are in place. It is always worth double checking the URL used. If you have typed it in yourself, verify that everything is spelled correctly. Confirm that the link that has been clicked is pointing to the page you are trying to access or try to visit the page directly through the website.
- Browser’s cache improves the online experience by reducing page loading times. Sometimes it can also cause unwanted interruptions. One such common cause of the HTTP 401 unauthorized error is the outdated or incorrect cache data or cookies. Therefore, if there are no issues with the page’s URL then the next step is to clear the browser’s cache. This will clean out any invalid information that is locally stored in your browser, which could interrupt the authentication process. Similarly, your browser’s cookies might contain authentication data that simply needs to be refreshed.
- Another method that can be tried to resolve the 401 unauthorized error is by flushing the Domain Name Server. While this is a rare issue, it can be a cause so a user can always try the method if the first two solutions do not work.
- The problem that is causing the 401 error might not be due to your browser. If there is a problem accessing your WordPress site, it is also possible that one or more plugins are to be blamed. Some plugins like the security focused plugins are configured to show a HTTP 401 unauthorized error when they suspect login activity that indicates an attack. Others might just be suffering from compatibility issues. Therefore, Deactivating all of WordPress plugins is an innovative idea and then you can see if that resolves the issue.
Staying informed about common errors and their solutions is essential. Addressing issues like the 401 unauthorized error not only improves site security but also ensures a seamless and secure browsing experience for the users. Whether it is double-checking your credentials, clearing browser cache and cookies, or verifying server configurations, addressing these issues promptly can help maintain a secure and user-friendly website environment.
By partnering with reliable website hosting providers and following best practices mentioned above, you can keep your web applications running smoothly and efficiently.
