If you’ve ever tried to visit a website and been met with a website error page instead of the page you were expecting, you’re not alone! These website errors are called HTTP status codes, and they help diagnose issues between your browser and the website’s server. Some of these errors are caused by minor issues you can fix yourself, while others require contacting your hosting provider or registrar.
Let’s break down some common HTTP errors, what they mean, and how to resolve them.
1. 400 Bad Request
What It Means
Your browser sent a request that the server couldn’t understand. This often happens due to a typo in the URL, corrupted browser cookies, or sending too much data at once.
How to Fix It
- Double-check the URL for errors.
- Clear your browser cache and cookies.
- Try reloading the page.
- If you’re filling out a form, ensure all required fields are properly filled.
2. 401 Unauthorized
What It Means
You need special permission to access this page, usually in the form of a username and password. If you don’t enter the correct credentials, the server won’t let you in.
How to Fix It
- Ensure you’re using the correct login details.
- If you own the website, check your security settings and permissions.
- Contact the website administrator if you believe you should have access.
3. 403 Forbidden
What It Means
You don’t have permission to access this page. Even if you enter the correct credentials, the server is blocking your request.
How to Fix It
- If it’s not your website, you likely won’t be able to fix this.
- If you own the website, check your file permissions and access settings.
- Ensure your website’s firewall isn’t mistakenly blocking users.
4. 404 Not Found
What It Means
The page you’re looking for doesn’t exist. This could be due to a broken link, a deleted page, or a mistyped URL.
How to Fix It
- Double-check the URL.
- Try refreshing the page.
- If you own the website, set up a proper 404 error page to guide visitors to working pages.
- If your website is on a .ng domain, contact your accredited registrar to check if the domain or page was accidentally removed.
5. 500 Internal Server Error
What It Means
The website’s server has encountered an issue and doesn’t know how to handle the request. It is an indication of website backend problems. This is a general error message and could be caused by a problem with the website’s code, plugins, or hosting service.
How to Fix It
- Reload the page after a few minutes.
- Clear your browser cache.
- If you own the website, check your server logs for errors.
- If your website is hosted on a .ng domain, reach out to your hosting provider or accredited registrar for assistance.
6. 503 Service Unavailable
What It Means
The website’s server is overloaded or undergoing maintenance. This is usually a temporary issue.
How to Fix It
- Wait a few minutes and try again.
- If you own the website, check with your hosting provider to see if your server is down.
- If your website is on a .ng domain, ensure your hosting plan can handle your website traffic.
7. 405 Method Not Allowed
What it means: The website doesn’t allow the action you’re trying to perform.
Example: If you try to submit a form using the wrong method (like using “GET” instead of “POST”), this error might show up.
How to fix it:
- If you’re a visitor, try refreshing or using a different browser.
- If you’re the site owner, check your web server settings to ensure the correct request methods are allowed.
8. 408 Request Timeout
What it means: The server took too long to respond, and your request was canceled.
Example: If your internet connection is slow or unstable, you might see this error while trying to load a website.
How to fix it:
- Refresh the page or check your internet connection.
- If the issue persists, try again later when the server is less busy.
9. 409 Conflict
What it means: There’s a conflict between your request and the website’s server rules.
Example: If two people are trying to edit the same file on a website at the same time, the server might block one action to prevent data issues.
How to fix it:
- Try again later or contact the website admin if you think there’s an issue.
10. 410 Gone
What it means: The page you’re looking for has been permanently deleted.
Example: If a company removes a blog post, web page or product page, this error might appear instead of a 404 Not Found error.
How to fix it:
- If you own the site, make sure to set up a redirect to guide visitors to a relevant page.
- If you’re a visitor, check if there’s an updated link or use the site’s search function.
11. 429 Too Many Requests
What it means: You’ve made too many requests in a short period, and the website is temporarily blocking you.
Example: If you refresh a page too many times in a row, the website might block your IP address for a while.
How to fix it:
- Wait a few minutes and try again.
- If you’re a site owner, adjust rate limits in your server settings.
12. 502 Bad Gateway
What it means: The website’s server received a bad response from another server.
Example: If a website relies on another server for data (like a payment system) and that server fails, a 502 error may appear.
How to fix it:
- If you’re a visitor, refresh the page or check back later.
- If you’re a site owner, check with your hosting provider or server logs.
Website errors can be frustrating, but understanding what they mean makes it easier to fix them. If your website is facing persistent issues, it’s always a good idea to check with your hosting provider or, if you own a .ng domain, consult your accredited registrar for further assistance.
Have you ever encountered any of these errors? Let us know in the comments how you fixed them!