Home WordPress Themes Ultimate Guide To Fix 401 Error By Using 13 Solutions 2022

Ultimate Guide To Fix 401 Error By Using 13 Solutions 2022

by rigotechnology

The 401 error can occur in any browser. As a result, it is a widespread problem that people experience. However, in most situations, resolving this issue is straightforward.

In this essay, we Will define How to Fix 401 Error messages and explain why they occur. Then we’ll guide you through 13 different ways to fix error 401.

Let’s get this issue fixed!

Also Read :- Best Guide to Fix Failed To Load Resource Error in WordPress

Contents

  • 1 An Overview of the 401 Error Code
  • 2 What Causes a 401 Error?
  • 3 No longer valid browser cache and cookies.
  • 4 Incompatibility of Plugins
  • 5 Incorrect or out-of-date URL
  • 6 How to Fix 401 Error (13 Methods)
  • 7 Remove Password Protection on WordPress Admin for the Time Being
  • 8 Clear the Firewall Cache in WordPress to Fix the 401 Error
  • 9 Purge caches in Sucuri Firewall
  • 10 Cloudflare Cache Purge
  • 11 Deactivate all WordPress plugins
  • 12 Switch to the Default WordPress Theme
  • 13 Change Your WordPress Password
  • 14 Get in touch with a WordPress hosting provider.
  • 15 Check the URL for errors.
  • 16 Clear the Cache in Your Browser
  • 17 Flush Your DNS
  • 18 Check the WWW-Authenticate Header Response
  • 19 Logging out and logging in again 
  • 20 Website error
  • 21 Refresh the page

An Overview of the 401 Error Code

When there is a problem with a request, HTTP 400 status codes are returned. When your browser refuses access to the page you seek to view, you will receive a 401 error.

As a result, instead of the web page, the browser will display an error message. As a result, the message shown may differ.

In Chrome or Edge you’ll most likely see a paper symbol and a warning telling you that the page in question isn’t working.

An HTTP Error 401 will show at the bottom of your browser’s window. It also recommends you contact the site’s owner if the problem persists:

Error Message Showing Page Isn'T Working

At other times and in different browsers, you may see somewhat less polite notice. There’s nothing there except a blank page with the message “401 Authorization Required”: Image Showing 401 Authorization Required

Other options include:

• “HTTP 401 Unauthorized Error”.

• “401 Unauthorized” is an error message.

• “Access Denied.”

These issues emerge when users try to access websites that need a login.

In most situations, it indicates that something is amiss different from the credentials. Or the browser’s ability to recognize them as legitimate.

The user is refused access in a similar way to the HTTP 403 Forbidden Error. The 401 error message shows that the authentication procedure failed, as opposed to the 403 error.

The WWW-Authenticate header is used to send the code. It is in charge of determining the authentication mechanism used to access a web page or resource.

Also Read: How to Choose the Best WordPress Hosting in 2022

What Causes a 401 Error?

Suppose you encounter a 400-level error code. You’re dealing with a client-side (or browser-side) problem. At the same time, the issue may be occurring within your browser.

It does not always imply that is the culprit, as we will discuss further below.

Four hundred one errors occur when accessing restricted resources, such as password-protected pages on your WordPress site.

As a consequence, it’s logical to assume that the issue stems from the authentication credentials.

No longer valid browser cache and cookies.

Your browser’s cache and cookies are out of date. It is one of the most common reasons for 401 error, As well as blocking the authorization from being granted.

The server will deny the request if your browser does not use proper login credentials.

Incompatibility of Plugins

A plugin incompatibility or problem sometimes triggers this issue. A firewall or security plugin may mistake your login attempt. It is harmful activity and produce a 401 error to protect the website.

Incorrect or out-of-date URL

It’s also conceivable that the root of the problem might be traced back to a minor error.

An incorrectly entered URL or an old link are common causes in this category.

Also Read :- How to Fix a 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress

How to Fix 401 Error (13 Methods)

Now that we’ve covered the basics of the 401 error let’s move on. It’s time to figure out how to fix the 401 error.

Let’s have a look at 13 different approaches you may take:

Remove Password Protection on WordPress Admin for the Time Being

Suppose your WordPress admin directory is password-protected. Then this might be the answer you’re looking for.

You may have forgotten your admin directory password. Alternatively, your server settings may have changed.

Navigate to the WordPress hosting control panel. And then, look for the Password Protected Directories or Directory Privacy icon.

When you open it., it will show all of the files and folders on your hosting account. Navigate to your wp-admin directory and click on the name to choose it.

It will now the password protection settings for the control panel. Uncheck the box next to the option to ‘Password protect this directory.’ And then press the Save button.

Image Showing Password Protect This Directory

Then, click the Go Back button and scroll to the bottom of the page. You must now remove the username you used to access your password-protected directory.

You’ve successfully removed password protection from your WordPress admin directory. You can now attempt to access your WordPress site.

If everything appears to be in order, you may proceed. It also protects your WordPress admin area’s password by establishing a new account and password.

Clear the Firewall Cache in WordPress to Fix the 401 Error

Suppose you use a cloud-based WordPress firewall provider such as Sucuri or Cloudflare. When the firewall is unable to interact with your website, a 401 error may generate.

Purge caches in Sucuri Firewall

If you’re using Sucuri, go to the ‘Performance’ page in your Sucuri dashboard. From here, navigate to the ‘Clear Cache’ tab. Then click the ‘Clear cache button.

Image Showing Performance

Cloudflare Cache Purge

If you’re using Cloudflare, you’ll need to sign in to the Cloudflare dashboard. And then navigate to the ‘Caching’ area. To remove all cache, click the ‘Purge everything’ option from here.

Image Showing Caching

Go ahead when you’ve cleared your firewall cache. Also, clean the caches in your browser and WordPress.

Also Read :- Fix Your Connection is Not Private Error 2022

Deactivate all WordPress plugins

A malfunctioning or improperly installed WordPress plugin might also cause the 401 error. It must temporarily deactivate all WordPress plugins. And determine whether one of them is to blame for the mistake.

You may easily disable WordPress plugins from the admin area by going to the plugins page.

Image Showing Plugins

Suppose you are unable to enter the WordPress administration area. Then, using FTP, disable all WordPress plugins.

Use an FTP client to connect to your WordPress site. Once connected, go to the /wp-content/ folder. Additionally, rename the plugins folder to plugins. And the plugin is deactivated.

Image Showing Plugins.deactivate

It will deactivate WordPress plugins if the plugins folder is renamed.

You can now try to log in to your WordPress website’s admin section if everything is in order. It implies that one of the plugins was causing the problem.

You must now return to the FTP client. Rename the plugin’s folder to simply plugins once more.

Return to the WordPress administration area and navigate to the plugins page. You can now enable each plugin one at a time until the 401 error appears again.

It will assist you in locating the plugin that is causing the problem. After you’ve discovered the plugin, you may contact the plugin’s support. Alternatively, Look for a different plugin.

Switch to the Default WordPress Theme

A function within your WordPress theme may occasionally cause the 401 error on your website. To find out, briefly switch to the default WordPress theme.

The WordPress team creates the default themes. They also include the standard WordPress installation. Twenty-nineteen, twenty-seventeen, twenty-sixteen, and other articles are among them.

To begin, navigate to the Appearance » Themes page if you have a standard WordPress theme installed. Then you may proceed to activate it.

Image Showing Wordpress Theme

Suppose your site does not have a default theme installed. After that, you must install and activate it.

After you’ve changed the theme, you may go ahead and test your website if everything is working correctly now. It implies that your theme was the source of the 401 error.

You may notify the theme’s developer about the problem. They might be able to assist you in resolving the issue. If it doesn’t work, you can change your WordPress theme permanently.

Change Your WordPress Password

WordPress hosting companies may occasionally restrict access to wp-admin. And login pages if someone tries to enter a password several times.

It will momentarily restrict your access in that instance. You can also try again after a few minutes.

However, rather than guessing your password, it is preferable to recover a lost WordPress password.

Image Showing Wordpress Lost Your Password

WordPress will email you a link to change your password. The issue with this technique is that WordPress may occasionally fail to deliver emails.

Don’t be concerned if you do not receive the email. You may also use phpMyAdmin to reset the WordPress password.

Get in touch with a WordPress hosting provider.

Many WordPress hosting companies identify suspicious behavior on a WordPress website automatically. They also restrict access to prevent attacks.

These security protections occasionally only apply to the WordPress admin area. In addition, your login page may become unreachable for a short period.

Image Showing Unused

However, if it does not return to its original state, alternatively, you may be seeing 401 errors on all of your site’s pages. Then you must immediately contact your WordPress hosting provider.

Their team will be able to investigate the access and error logs and resolve the issue for you.

Check the URL for errors.

We’ll start with the most straightforward potential solution: make sure you use the correct URL. It may appear to be an easy task at first glance. However, 401 errors can occur if the URL is not entered correctly.

Another possibility is that the link you used to get to the page in question incorrectly points to the correct URL. For example, it could be out of date or point to a page that no longer exists.

As a result, you should double-check the URL you used. Check that you spelled everything correctly if you typed it in yourself. If you follow a link, check that it points to the page you are attempting to access.

Clear the Cache in Your Browser

The cache in your browser is intended to improve your online experience by decreasing page loading times. Unfortunately, it can occasionally produce unwelcome disruptions.

As previously stated, one of the most prevalent reasons for the 401 error is out-of-date or inaccurate cache data or cookies.

As a result, if you don’t detect any problems with the page’s URL. The next step is to delete the cache in your browser.

It will remove any incorrect data that has been locally saved in your browser. It may be interfering with the authentication procedure.

Similarly, your browser’s cookies may store authentication information. That only has to be updated.

If you’re using Google Chrome, you can do this by clicking the menu button in the browser’s upper-right corner. After that, click on Settings. Click on Clear browsing data: under the Privacy and Security section.

Image Showing Clear Browsing Data

It will launch a new window. Make sure all three items are checked under the Basic tab. Then click Clear data:

Image Showing Basic Clear Data

In other browsers, this procedure will appear somewhat different. In Mozilla Firefox, for example. You’d go to the browser’s top-right corner and click on the library symbol. Then comes History > Clear Recent History:

Image Showing Clear Recent History

Select everything from the drop-down option at the top of the panel that appears next. Make sure the “Cache” option is chosen, then click the Clear Now button.

Image Showing Clear Now

Flush Your DNS

Another technique you may try to resolve the 401 issues is flushing your Domain Name Server (DNS) (DNS). While this comparison, less common occurrence.

It might be one of the causes. If the preceding options don’t work, it’s worth a go.

In Windows, click the Start button and then type cmd into the search box. When you press the Enter key, the Command Prompt will appear.

Copy and paste the command ipconfig/flushdns onto the command line. Then press Enter once more:

Image Showing Cmd Ipconfig

On a Mac, navigate to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal:

Enter sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder as the command line. Then, try refreshing the page you were attempting to access. Also, check to see whether the 401 error has been fixed.

Check the WWW-Authenticate Header Response

If the problem has not been fixed at this stage. It might be due to a server-side issue.

As previously stated, the 401 answers are delivered via the WWW-Authenticate header. It shows as “WWW-Authenticate: realm=.” It contains ‘challenges.’ Or data strings indicating the kind of authentication necessary for giving access.

In a nutshell, you’ll want to determine whether or not it sent the header response. And, in particular, what authentication scheme it used.

At the absolute least, this can assist in narrowing down the source of the problem. And it gets you one step closer to finding a solution.

Go to the web page that is displaying the 401 error to accomplish this. And access the developer console in Chrome. You may inspect the page by right-clicking it and selecting Inspect. Alternatively, use Ctrl+Shift+J.

Then, choose the Network tab and reload the website. That will create a list of available resources. To arrange the table and get the 401 status code, click the Status header:

Image Showing Network

Select that entry, then go to the Headers tab. Locate the WWW-Authenticate header under Response Headers:

Image Showing Headers

The information is contained in the response header. It might provide you with additional information about what is going on and put you in the right direction for a solution.

It can assist you in determining what sort of authentication the server expects.

Also Read: Beginner’s Guide To Get A Free SSL Certificate for WordPress (2022)

Logging out and logging in again 

This issue can also occur during website maintenance. As a result, returning to the website and signing in again with the same credentials may also resolve this issue.

Website error

Occasionally, all of the items mentioned above are correct or good. However, you will still receive the 401 Unauthorized Error, which is due to a website error.

At that point, you should notify the website’s webmaster that the server is unavailable. You may contact them through email at [email protected], replacing the webmaster.com with the URL of your website.

Alternatively, you may find a contact us link on any website and notify them that way.

Refresh the page

Although it may appear simple, closing the browser and reopening it a few seconds later may resolve the 401 Error.

Reloading would resolve the problem only if a misloaded page caused the error.

When your browser and server are having communication or authentication issues, you may force to cope with the 401 error from time to time. While this is an annoyance, the notice is generally transitory and fixable. Error 401 not allowed on our website.

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