Website errors: 6 most common errors and how to fix them

Website errors are messages that are displayed to a user when a website is unable to function properly.

These errors can be caused by a variety of factors, such as problems with the website’s code, server, or database.

They can be frustrating for users, but they are important to fix because they can prevent users from accessing your website and can also damage your reputation.

Website errors can be classified into two main types:

1. Client-side errors are errors that occur on the user’s computer, such as when the user’s internet connection is down or when their browser is not up to date.
2. Server-side errors are errors that occur on the website’s server. These errors can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a problem with the website’s code, database, or server configuration.

400 Bad Request Error

A 400 Bad Request error is a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) status code that indicates that the server cannot or will not process the request due to something that is perceived to be a client error.

This client error can include malformed request syntax, invalid request message framing, or deceptive request routing.

How does a 400 Bad Request error occur?

1. Malformed request syntax: The request from the client is not formatted correctly. This can be caused by a typo in the URL, a missing or invalid request header, or a problem with the request body.
2. Invalid request message framing: The request message is not framed correctly. This can be caused by a problem with the request line, the request headers, or the request body.
3. Deceptive request routing: The request is being routed to the wrong server or service. This can be caused by a misconfigured domain name system (DNS) record or a problem with the client’s network.
4. Other client errors: There are a number of other client errors that can cause a 400 Bad Request error, such as trying to access a file that does not exist or trying to upload a file that is too large.

How to fix a 400 Bad Request error

There are a number of things that you can do to try to fix a 400 Bad Request error, including:

1. Check the URL: Make sure that the URL is spelled correctly and that it points to a valid page on the website.
2. Refresh the page: Sometimes, a 400 Bad Request error can be caused by a temporary glitch. Refreshing the page can sometimes fix the problem.
3. Clear your browser cache and cookies: Your browser cache and cookies can sometimes cause website errors. Clearing your browser cache and cookies can sometimes fix these errors.
4. Try a different browser: If you are still experiencing a 400 Bad Request error, try using a different browser. This will help you to determine if the problem is with your browser or with the website itself.
5. Contact the website administrator: If you have tried all of the above and you are still experiencing a 400 Bad Request error, you can contact the website administrator. They may be able to help you to fix the problem.
6. File upload: If you are trying to upload a file, make sure that the file is not too large and that it is in a supported file format.
7. Correct password: If you are trying to access a file that is protected by a password, make sure that you are entering the correct password.
8. Software updates: Make sure that your WordPress CMS software is up to date and that you are using the latest versions of all plugins and themes.

401 Unauthorized error

A 401 Unauthorized error is an HTTP status code that indicates that the request has not been completed because it lacks valid authentication credentials for the target resource.

This error code is sent with an HTTP WWW-Authenticate response header that contains information on how the client can request the resource again after prompting the user for authentication credentials.

How does a 401 Unauthorized error occur?

1. Invalid authentication credentials: The user entered an incorrect username or password.
2. Expired authentication credentials: The user’s authentication credentials have expired.
3. No authentication credentials were provided: The user did not provide any authentication credentials.
4. Insufficient access privileges: The user does not have the necessary access privileges to access the requested resource.
5. Misconfigured server: The server is not configured correctly to handle authentication requests.

How to fix a 401 Unauthorized error

1. Check your authentication credentials: Make sure that you are entering the correct username and password.
2. Reset your password: If you have forgotten your password, you can usually reset it by clicking on a “Forgot password?” link on the login page.
3. Contact the website administrator: If you have tried all of the above and you are still experiencing a 401 Unauthorized error, you can contact the website administrator. They may be able to help you to fix the problem.
4. Software update: If you are using a content management system (CMS) such as WordPress, make sure that your CMS is up to date and that you are using the latest versions of all plugins and themes.
5. Firewall permissions: If you are trying to access a file that is protected by a firewall, make sure that you have the correct firewall permissions.

403 Forbidden error

A 403 Forbidden error is an HTTP status code that indicates that the server understands the request but refuses to fulfill it.

Authorization failed, or the server is configured to deny access to the requested resource.

How does a 403 Forbidden error occur?

1. Incorrect permissions. The user does not have the necessary permissions to access the requested resource. This can be caused by a number of factors, such as the file permissions being set incorrectly or the user not being logged in to a required account.
2. Misconfigured server. The server is not configured correctly to handle requests for the requested resource. This can be caused by a number of factors, such as a missing or incorrect configuration file or a problem with the server’s software.
3. Blocked IP address. The user’s IP address has been blocked from accessing the server. This can be done for a number of reasons, such as the user’s IP address being associated with malicious activity or the user’s IP address being from a country that is blocked by the server.

How to fix a 403 Forbidden error

1. Check the URL: Make sure that the URL is spelled correctly and that it points to a valid page on the website.
2. Refresh the page: Sometimes, a 403 Forbidden error can be caused by a temporary glitch. Refreshing the page can sometimes fix the problem.
3. Clear your browser cache and cookies: Your browser cache and cookies can sometimes cause website errors. Clearing your browser cache and cookies can sometimes fix these errors.
4. Try a different browser: If you are still experiencing a 403 Forbidden error, try using a different browser. This will help you to determine if the problem is with your browser or with the website itself.
5. Contact the website administrator: They may be able to help you fix the problem including setting the correct permissions for files and folders, configuring your server’s software correctly, and unblocking any IP addresses that you do not want to block.

404 Not Found error

A 404 Not Found error is an HTTP status code that indicates that the server cannot find the requested resource.

This error can occur for a number of reasons, such as the requested page having been moved or deleted, the user having entered a typo in the URL, or the server being down.

How does a 404 Not Found error occur?

1. The requested resource does not exist: This can be caused by the page having been moved or deleted, the user having entered a typo in the URL, or the server being down.
2. The user does not have permission to access the requested resource: This can be caused by the page being password-protected or the user’s account not having the necessary permissions.
3. The server is misconfigured: This can be caused by a problem with the server’s software or a problem with the server’s configuration files.

How to fix a 404 Not Found error

1. Check the URL: Make sure that the URL is spelled correctly and that it points to a valid page on the website.
2. Refresh the page: Sometimes, a 404 Not Found error can be caused by a temporary glitch. Refreshing the page can sometimes fix the problem.
3. Clear your browser cache and cookies: Your browser cache and cookies can sometimes cause website errors. Clearing your browser cache and cookies can sometimes fix these errors.
4. Try a different browser: If you are still experiencing a 404 Not Found error, try using a different browser. This will help you to determine if the problem is with your browser or with the website itself.
5. Contact the website administrator: They may be able to help by redirecting users to the correct page if a page has been moved or deleted, and making sure that all of your pages are accessible to users with the necessary permissions.
6. Custom 404 page: You can publish a custom 404 Not Found page to redirect users to a relevant page on your website or to provide them with more information about why they are seeing a 404 Not Found error.

Fixing broken links

Follow this guide on fixing broken links to learn more about managing broken links on your website.

500 Internal Server error

A 500 Internal Server Error is an HTTP status code that indicates that the server encountered an unexpected error and was unable to complete the request.

This error can occur for a variety of reasons, such as a problem with the server’s software, a problem with the server’s hardware, or a problem with the server’s configuration.

500 Internal Server Errors are a common occurrence on the web, and they are not necessarily a sign of a problem with your website.

How does a 500 Internal Server Error occur?

1. Server software errors: A problem with the server’s software, such as a bug in the server’s code or a conflict between two different software applications running on the server.
2. Server hardware errors: A problem with the server’s hardware, such as a faulty hard drive or a problem with the server’s network connection.
3. Server configuration errors: A problem with the server’s configuration, such as a missing or corrupted configuration file.
4. Other errors: Other errors, such as a power outage or a denial-of-service attack.

How to fix a 500 Internal Server Error

1. Try refreshing the page: Sometimes, a 500 Internal Server Error can be caused by a temporary glitch. Refreshing the page can sometimes fix the problem.
2. Try a different browser: If you are still experiencing a 500 Internal Server Error, try using a different browser. This will help you to determine if the problem is with your browser or with the website itself.
3. Contact the website administrator: They may be able to help by monitoring your server for errors as well as troubleshooting these errors, using the server’s error logs and web development tools.

Monitoring your server

You can use a variety of tools to monitor your website for 500 Internal Server Errors, such as Google Search Console and uptime monitoring services.

503 Service Unavailable error

A 503 Service Unavailable error is an HTTP status code that indicates that the server is currently unavailable and cannot handle the request.

This error can occur for a variety of reasons, such as the server being overloaded, the server being down for maintenance, or the server being experiencing a technical issue.

How does a 503 Service Unavailable error occur?

1. Server overload: The server is receiving more requests than it can handle. This can happen during peak traffic times or when the server is under attack.
2. Server maintenance: The server is down for maintenance. This can happen when the server administrator is performing updates or making changes to the server’s configuration.
3. Server technical issue: The server is experiencing a technical issue, such as a hardware failure or a software error.

How to fix a 503 Service Unavailable error

1. Try refreshing the page. Sometimes, a 503 Service Unavailable error can be caused by a temporary glitch. Refreshing the page can sometimes fix the problem.
2. Try again later. If you are still experiencing a 503 Service Unavailable error after refreshing the page, try again later. The server may be overloaded or down for maintenance, but it should come back online soon.
3. Contact the website administrator. They may be able to prevent 503 Service Unavailable errors by making sure that your server is properly configured and sized to handle the amount of traffic that it receives. They would also monitor your server for performance issues and take corrective action as needed.