403 Forbidden Error Explained: Easy Fixes For Your Website

A 403 Forbidden error is a common issue found when browsing or managing your website. This error occurs when a server denies you permission to access a particular resource or a web page on your site. When visitors see this error, they can’t view the content they were looking for, which can be frustrating and negatively impact your website’s user experience and performance.

For website owners, a 403 Forbidden error code can lead to decreased traffic, lost revenue, and a drop in search engine rankings. So it’s essential to address this error promptly to ensure your site remains accessible and functional for all users. In this guide, we’ll explore the causes of the 403 Forbidden error and provide easy steps to fix it, helping you get your website back on track quickly and efficiently.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. A 403 Forbidden error occurs when access to a webpage or resource is denied.
2. Common causes include corrupt .htaccess files, incorrect file permissions, and problematic plugins.
3. Simple fixes include refreshing the page, clearing browser cache, and checking file permissions.
4. Deactivating plugins one at a time helps identify the faulty one that could be causing the issue.
5. If you disable your CDN temporarily and ensure hotlink protection is properly configured, you could also resolve the error.
6. Disconnecting from a VPN may solve access problems.
7. Use tools like Sitechecker to perform a comprehensive site scan.
8. If all else fails, contact your hosting provider for further assistance.

What Is 403 Forbidden Error?

A 403 Forbidden occurs when a server refuses to allow you to access a web page or resource on a website. This happens because the web server understands your request but rejects it due to insufficient permissions.

Error Code	403
Error Type	Authentication error
Error Variations	403 ForbiddenHTTP 403Forbidden: You don’t have permission to access [directory] on this server.403 Forbidden – nginxError 403 – Forbidden403 – Forbidden: Access is denied403 – Forbidden Error – You are not allowed to access this address

The 403 Forbidden error code is an HTTP status code that a server uses to communicate with your web browser.

What is the HTTP status code? Think of HTTP status codes as short notes from the server to your browser about what happened to your request. They help identify whether the request was successful, if additional steps are needed, or if an error occurred. They are not part of the website’s content; they belong to the HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) standard and help you understand how the server has handled the request.

There are different categories of HTTP status codes. Let’s have a brief look at them and identify where the 403 error lies:

• 1xx: Informational: These codes indicate that the request has been received and is being processed.
• 2xx: Success: These codes mean the request was successfully received, understood, and accepted. For example, 200 OK indicates that the request was successful.
• 3xx: Redirection: These codes indicate that further action is needed to complete the request. For instance, 301 Moved Permanently means the requested resource has been moved to a new URL.
• 4xx: Client Error: These codes signify errors that seem to have been caused by the client. For example, 404 Not Found means the requested resource could not be found.
• 5xx: Server Error: These codes indicate that the server failed to fulfill a request. For example, a 500 Internal Server Error signifies a generic server error.

The 403 Forbidden error falls under the 4xx category, indicating that the client (you) has made a valid request, but the web server refuses to fulfill it. You may find these error codes frustrating; however, understanding HTTP status codes is important for diagnosing and fixing web issues. They provide insights into what went wrong and where the problem might be, whether it’s a client-side or server-side issue.

Still confused about the 403 Forbidden error? Imagine trying to enter a room in a building, but the door is locked, and you don’t have the key. The 403 Forbidden error is like that door. The server (the building) knows you’re there, but you don’t have permission (the key) to enter. Understanding and fixing these issues can help you unlock that door and access your website smoothly.

Causes of the 403 Forbidden Error

Understanding why a 403 error occurs is the first step to resolving it. Here are the main causes:

1. Corrupt .htaccess File
2. Incorrect File Permissions
3. Plugins Related Issues

We discuss the details of each of them below:

403 Forbidden Error Variations

The 403 Forbidden error can appear in several ways, depending on the server and configuration. Here are some common variations you might encounter:

1. Forbidden – You don’t have permission to access / on this server: This message means that your server has denied access to the root directory.
2. 403 – Forbidden: Access is denied: A straightforward denial of access to the requested resource.
3. Error 403 – Forbidden: A general error indicating forbidden access.
4. 403 – Forbidden Error – You are not allowed to access this address: Specifies that the address you are trying to reach is off-limits.
5. 403 Forbidden – nginx: Indicates that the error is coming from a Nginx server.
6. HTTP Error 403 – Forbidden – You do not have permission to access the document or program you requested: Specifies that the requested document or program cannot be accessed.
7. 403 Forbidden – Access to this resource on the server is denied: A more detailed message about the resource being inaccessible.
8. 403. That’s an error. Your client does not have permission to get URL / from this server: Often seen on Google services, indicating a permissions issue.
9. You are not authorized to view this page: A generic message denying access to a specific page.
10. It appears you don’t have permission to access this page: Another generic message indicates restricted access.

No matter which variation you see, they all point to the same fundamental issue: your access to the requested resource is forbidden. Understanding these variations can help you diagnose and fix the problem more efficiently.

How to Fix the 403 Forbidden Error

We can fix the 403 Forbidden error code using various methods. Here are 12 ways to resolve it.

Refresh the Web Page or Recheck the URL

Sometimes the easiest fixes are the most effective. So, start by refreshing the web page. Press the F5key from your keyboard or click the refresh button in your browser. The 403 Forbidden error might be temporary, and refreshing the page could solve the problem.

Additionally, you can also double-check the URL. Make sure the web address you’re trying to access is correct. Typos can lead to a 403 Forbidden error. Also, ensure the URL isn’t pointing to a directory instead of a specific page. For instance, “www.yoursite.com/wp-content/uploads/” might lead to a 403 error because it’s a directory, not a page.

Clear Your Browser Cache

Browser cache is a temporary storage space on your computer where the browser saves copies of web pages, images, and other data. This helps websites load faster the next time you visit because your browser doesn’t have to download everything again.

But sometimes this cached data can become outdated or corrupted, leading to errors like the 403 error. Clearing your cache can solve these problems by forcing your web browser to fetch the latest version of the website.

Let’s see how to clear the cache on various browsers.

Google Chrome

Click on the three dots in the upper right and select the Delete browsing data option.

Switch to the Basic tab. Select the time range or keep the default value, All time. Then, check the Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files. Finally, click the Delete data button to clear the browser cache.

Microsoft Edge

Click on the three dots in the top-right and go to Settings.

In the next window, locate the Privacy, search, and services option on the left-hand side and click on it. Scroll down to the Delete browsing data area and click the Choose what to clear button.

Now, select the time range or keep the default value. Then, tick the Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files. Finally, hit the Clear now button.

This way, you ensure that your web browser is loading the latest version of the website, which can help resolve the 403 Forbidden error.

Modify Your File Permission

The file permissions control can read, write, and execute files on your website’s server. These permissions are set using a three-digit number, with each digit representing a different level of access for the owner, group, and public:

Read (r): View the contents of the file or directory.

Write (w): Modify the file or directory.

Execute (x): Run the file as a program or script.

Incorrect file permissions can cause a 403 Forbidden error, preventing users from accessing certain parts of your site. To change file permissions, you need an FTP client like FileZilla. Here’s how to do it:

First, connect to your server. To do this, open your FTP client to connect to your web server using your FTP credentials.

Navigate to the public_html folder. Right-click on it and select File Attributes.

A window will pop up where you can set the numeric value for the permissions. In the Numeric value field, type 755. This value only enables the owner to write, read, and execute the directory or file and prevents others from modifying it.

Check the Recursive into subdirectories option and select Apply to directories only. Then, click OK to apply changes. This may take some time to process.

Again, go to the public_html > File Attributes. The same window will appear again; however, this time enter 644 for the Numeric value field. Next, select the Apply to files only option and click OK. Remember, the 644 value allows the owner to read and write, whereas others can read only.

Finally, you must manually adjust the permission for your site’s wp-config.php file and make it 400 or 440. To do this locate the wp-config.php file in the public_html folder, right-click on it, and select File permissions.

Enter 440 or 400 value in the Numeric value box and click OK.

Once you apply correct permissions to files and directories, reassess your site and see if the error persists.

At this point, you may be wondering how to tell which file/directory permission is correct. So, according to WordPress Codex, the ideal permissions for WordPress are as follows:

• Files: 644 or 640
• Directories: 755 or 750
• Exception for wp-config.php File: 440 or 400.

By correctly setting your file permissions, you can often resolve the 403 Forbidden error and ensure your website remains accessible to users.

Regenerate .htaccess File

The .htaccess is a configuration file Apache servers use to control various aspects of your website. If this file is outdated or corrupted, it will cause a 403 Forbidden error.

Remember: if your server uses Nginx, you won’t have the .htaccess file. Instead, you should check your Nginx configuration files for any incorrect settings. These files are typically found in the /etc/nginx/ directory.

However, if you’re hosting your site at Hosted, this method might fix the 403 error code for you. So, let’s see how to do it:

To connect to your web server, use an FTP client (like FileZilla) or your hosting provider’s file manager. For this tutorial, we’re using FileZilla. Go to the root directory of your WordPress installation, which is public_html.

Double-click on it. Now, locate the .htaccess file, right-click on it, and select Delete (It’s always a good idea to have a backup before deleting something important. Therefore, we recommend you store a backup of this old .htaccess file on your PC).

You’ll get a confirmation pop-up, click Yes to complete the deletion.

Now, go to your WordPress dashboard. Navigate to Settings > Permalinks. Without making any changes, click Save Changes. This will automatically produce a new .htaccess file with default settings.

Go back to FileZilla and press F5 to refresh; you’ll see a new .htaccess file with default settings.

Now, you should be able to access your website if .htaccess was the culprit. If the error persists, you might need to investigate further.

Deactivate and then Reactivate Your Plugins

If you previously adjusted the file permissions and restored the .htaccess file, you might have a faulty plugin, causing a 403 Forbidden error. To identify the problematic plugin, log in to your WordPress admin panel.

Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. Click the checkbox at the top of the list to choose all plugins. Then, select Deactivate from the bulk actions dropdown menu and click Apply to deactivate all plugins at once.

Visit your website to see if the 403 error is resolved. If it is, one of the plugins was causing the issue.

Now, go back to the Plugins page. Reactivate each plugin one at a time by clicking Activate under each plugin name.

After activating each plugin, check your website to see if the error reappears. When it does, the plugin you recently activated is likely the culprit. Deactivate that plugin and contact its developer for support or find an alternative plugin.

By systematically deactivating and reactivating your plugins, you can pinpoint the one causing the 403 Forbidden error and take steps to fix it. This ensures your site remains functional and error-free.

Deactivate Content Delivery Network Temporarily

A Content Delivery Network (CDN) helps speed up your website by distributing content to servers closer to your users. So, if you’re facing 403 Forbidden error on your assets, such as JavaScript, images, or CSS, it could be an issue with your CDN.

In this case, temporarily disabling your CDN can help you determine if it’s the source of the problem. If you’re unsure whether a CDN is integrated into your site or not use the CDN Finder tool to analyze your website.

In CDN Finder, provide the website’s URL or hostname and click the Run CDN Finder button to see if your site uses a CDN.

Check If Hotlink Protection Is Misconfigured

Hotlink Protection prevents other sites linking directly to files (like images) on your site. This helps save bandwidth and protect your content. However, if it’s misconfigured, it can cause a 403 Forbidden error by blocking access to legitimate requests.

Ensure Hotlink Protection is configured correctly by going to your web hosting control panel (like cPanel). Look for Hotlink Protection under the Security section.

Ensure the Hotlink Protection is enabled and your domain name and any other trusted domains are listed under Allowed Referrers. Make sure the file types you want to protect are correctly listed.

Now, temporarily disable Hotlink Protection to see if the 403 Forbidden error is resolved.

If so, adjust the settings or ask your host’s support for help.

Disconnect From Your Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Sometimes, using a VPN can also lead to a 403 Forbidden error. VPNs mask your IP address, making it look like you’re accessing a website from a different location. Some websites and servers block certain IP addresses or entire IP ranges used by VPNs for security reasons, which can trigger the 403 error.

In that case, try disconnecting from your VPN.  After disconnecting, refresh the webpage that was showing the 403 Forbidden error. See if the error is resolved. If it is, the VPN was likely causing the issue.

Use Sitechecker Website Crawler Tool

The Sitechecker Website Crawler Tool is a handy utility that scans your website for errors, including 403 Forbidden errors. Here’s how to use it:

Go to the Sitechecker website and sign up for an account if you don’t already have one. Input your website’s URL in the crawler tool. Start scan and let the tool crawl your provided website. This process might take a few minutes.

Once the scan is complete, review the report. Look for any 403 errors or related issues. The tool will provide specific recommendations to fix the errors it finds. Follow these suggestions to resolve the 403 Forbidden error.

Reach Out to Your Hosting Provider

If you’ve tried all the previous solutions and the 403 Forbidden error persists, it’s time to get help from your hosting provider. Go to your hosting provider’s website and find their support contact information. This is usually available under the Support or Help section.

Gather relevant details such as your website’s URL, and error logs, and describe the troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken. Reach out via their preferred method (email, chat, phone) and provide the information you prepared. Explain the problem and ask for assistance in resolving the 403 Forbidden error.

Your hosting provider has the expertise and access to server settings that can help diagnose and fix the problem quickly. They can provide specific insights and solutions tailored to your hosting environment.

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