What Is a 403 Error on a Website and How to Fix It

When searching for information online, you may have come across a message that reads, “403 Forbidden – You don’t have permission to access this server.”

You don’t need to worry because this error code is actually quite common. In fact, most webmasters frequently encounter this error message. It’s important to note that Error 403 can occur due to various reasons. Sometimes, Error 403 happens because the hosting provider is making changes to the system or performing updates.

So, what exactly is Error 403? How do you fix it? Read the full explanation in this article.

What Is Error 403?

Error 403 Forbidden is an HTTP status code that appears when there is an issue with the permissions of the website or resource you are trying to access. The Error 403 Forbidden code appears when the web server understands your request but cannot grant the access you’re requesting.

Here are some of the most common examples of Error 403:

• Error 403
• Error 403 – Forbidden
• HTTP Error 403 – Forbidden
• HTTP 403
• Forbidden
• Access Denied – You don’t have permission to access
• 403 Forbidden: Request forbidden by administrative rules
• Forbidden: You don’t have permission to access this server

What Causes Error 403?

Several situations can cause a 403 Forbidden error. Here are some causes of Error 403 you should be aware of:

1. File Permission Errors

For websites not running on an Apache web server—such as Nginx—a 403 Forbidden error may occur due to incorrect permission settings for the public folder or website directory.

2. .htaccess File

Meanwhile, for websites on cloud servers or hosting with an Apache web server, a 403 Forbidden error may occur due to an issue with the .htaccess file.

3. Plugin Errors

Finally, aside from the two previous scenarios, a 403 Forbidden error can also occur due to a plugin issue. For example, a plugin may fail due to an unsupported PHP version or other problems. Consequently, a 403 Forbidden error occurs on the website.

How to Fix a 403 Error on Your Website?

Now that you know some of the conditions that can cause a 403 Forbidden error, you need to understand how to resolve them. Here are several ways to fix a 403 Forbidden error:

1. Reset File and Directory Permissions

The first method is to reset file permissions. This is because incorrect file or folder permissions can trigger this error. Essentially, these permissions control how you can read, write, and execute files according to your needs.

2. Check the .htaccess File

You may still be unfamiliar with the term “.htaccess” file. This is because the file is sometimes hidden within a project directory. Here are the steps you can take.

First, locate the File Manager in your hosting control panel. Then, within the “public_html” directory, look for the “.htaccess” file. If it’s not there, click “Settings” to enable the “Show Hidden” option.

To better understand the .htaccess file, review the server configuration file, which primarily modifies settings within the Apache web server configuration. Although .htaccess files can be found on almost all websites, in some cases, if your website doesn’t have an .htaccess file, you’ll need to create one manually.

3. Disable Plugins

If the previous two steps didn’t work, the 403 Forbidden error might be caused by an incompatible plugin. In this step, try disabling plugins to determine whether they’re the cause of the 403 error.

Deactivate all plugins simultaneously through a separate process. This way, you can identify the error and apply the solution.

4. Check the Domain Name

Additionally, a 403 Forbidden error can occur because your domain name is pointing to the wrong IP address. As a result, you lack permission to access the content. To resolve this issue, double-check the domain name you are using.

Read Also: What is a Domain?

5. Edit File Ownership

Additionally, incorrect file ownership can also be a cause of the 403 Forbidden error if you’re using Linux or VPS file hosting. Folders can typically be set to an owner, group, or both. To change this ownership, you’ll need SSH access. Additionally, you’ll need an SSH terminal to connect to the VPS server.

6. Check for Malware

Also check whether your website has been infected with malware. Malware can also be a cause of the 403 Forbidden error. If your website is infected with malware, unwanted code will keep being injected into your .htaccess file, causing this error to persist even after you’ve tried fixing the .htaccess file.

Read Also: Understanding Various Effective Ways to Tackle Malware

7. Clear Your Web Browser Cache

Finally, check your web browser’s cache and cookies, as the 403 Forbidden error might originate from there. It’s possible that the website link stored in the cache has been updated, and the website version has changed, so the old link can no longer be accessed.

That concludes the explanation regarding the 403 Forbidden error. This issue is indeed quite common, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be avoided. Therefore, ensure you build your website using a trusted domain. No need to worry, as Cloudmatika offers domain registration services and SSL certificates. Contact Cloudmatika right away for more information about these services.