What is a ‘403 Forbidden’ error (and how can I fix it)?

One of the last things we want to happen when we are scrolling the internet is to come across an error code we don’t recognise.

In fact, issues such as a 403 Forbidden error can be detrimental in many ways for users and those creating websites.

Although a 403 Forbidden error is less common than other types of online errors – such as a 404 Not Found error – it still needs to be fixed as soon as the problem arises.

What does ‘403 Forbidden’ mean when trying to access a website?

First, HTTP stands for ‘HyperText Transfer Protocol’ and it can be defined as the network protocol used by the internet that allows users to open web page links and move from one page to the next across search engines and other websites.

HTTP status codes pop up when you’re connecting to a website through your browser. When this happens, the web server responds with an HTTP header if you’re successfully connected.

However, there’s a possibility that something can go wrong at this stage and, if it does, the server will generate and display different numbered HTTP status codes depending on the problem.

Although these numbers can be confusing at first, knowing what they mean is key to knowing what precisely has gone wrong.

A 403 Forbidden error is an HTTP status code a web server uses to communicate with your web browser, and occurs when a web server prevents a user from gaining entry to a web page.

If you’re trying to access a site, and you’re confronted with a message that reads ‘error 403’ or ‘Forbidden error’, it means the server understands the request that’s being made but you’re not permitted to access the website.

This error code can display as ‘403 error’, ‘403 Forbidden access’, ‘http 403’, http error 403, ‘status code 403’ and ‘access denied’.

However, they all have the same meaning.

Does ‘403 Forbidden’ mean I’m blocked?

Yes. If you’re seeing a 403 Forbidden message, it means you’re blocked from accessing a website’s content.

While there are many potential explanations for why this is happening, it’s likely to be the fault of the website owner or issue with the server.

What causes a ‘403 Forbidden’ error?

There are many reasons why you could be blocked from visiting a website resulting in a 403 Forbidden error, including:

Failed login attempts

A 403 Forbidden error can often be the result of too many failed login attempts.

Firewalls or plugins may identify these login attempts as suspicious and, as a security precaution, temporarily (or even permanently) block a user’s IP address.

However, permanent blocking is uncommon and most automatic IP bans are dropped within an hour.

Simply leave the site, ensure you have the correct login details, and then try again later.

Protected private content

This is when website creators deliberately obscure information on their website from users.

At times, this message may also pop up if the site is user-restricted, meaning that only authenticated users can access the content.

Corrupt files or incorrect permissions

When any file is created, it has certain default file permissions which allow the owner to read, write, and edit.

If restrictions have been placed on files on a particular site, it’s likely that you’ll be blocked from viewing them.

Plugin issues

It’s also possible that you’re seeing an error due to an issue with a plugin.

Plugins can generate 403 errors for a variety of reasons, including mistakenly blocking legitimate users due to strict security rules.

Your location

Your location can also prevent you from accessing a certain website.

This is determined by your IP address, which reveals where you are while visiting a site.

For example, your specific IP address could be flagged for spam (or unwanted posts) and your access has been restricted as a result.

IT firewalls

As a device or software that denies (or permits) network traffic in accordance with defined security measures, firewalls are designed to protect a network from unauthorised access or cyber-attacks.

IT firewalls can therefore cause 403 Forbidden errors if they block access to the website because of a breach of security.

How do I fix a ‘403 Forbidden’ error in Chrome?

If you’ve never encountered an HTTP status code before, it can be confusing when one pops up suddenly on your screen.

As it happens, fixing a 403 Forbidden error is easier than you might think, and it doesn’t mean you’re blocked from accessing a particular site forever.

Taking the following steps usually helps:

Check the URL

One simple explanation for why you’re being greeted by this error code is because you’ve mistyped a URL.

When we’re in a hurry to visit a website, or we’re distracted, it can be easy to miss a letter or two.

If you’ve input the wrong URL, simply retype it and this should fix the issue.

Deactivate browser extensions

The next thing you should do if you encounter this kind of error is deactivate any active browser extensions your device.

On Google Chrome, extensions can be helpful because they add new features and functionality to a site.

However, in many cases, you’re unable to access a page because there are active plugins or add-ons – for example, like ad blockers or proxy plugins – denying entry.

To disable extensions on Google Chrome, search for and then click on the ‘Extensions’ icon in the toolbar (which will resemble a puzzle piece from a jigsaw).

Open the main menu by clicking the three dots and select ‘More>Extensions’.

Next, select ‘Manage Extensions’.

In the ‘Extensions’ tab that pops up, find the name of the extension you want to uninstall and click the ‘Remove’ button.

At this stage, it may ask you if you’re sure you want to remove the extension and, if you are, you should click ‘Remove’ again.

If you want to reinstall later the extension you removed, then you’ll need to visit the Google Chrome Web Store and download it again.

To simply disable an extension, you’ll need to click the virtual switch beside its name to turn it off. Remember that you can always enable it again when you want.

Once you’ve disabled an extension, refresh the page and attempt to access the URL again.

If you can, then you may have to keep that extension disabled while using the site.

Clear browser cache

Another reason why a 403 error code could pop up is because of your cache, which is a hardware or software component that stores data to accommodate quicker requests (for that data) in the future.

Cached data includes multimedia such as images, files and scripts which are automatically saved on a device from the first time someone opens an application or visits a website.

If you’ve tried everything else, you may need to clear your browser cache to see if an issue persists.

Clearing your cache will also get rid of your cookies put in place to store user choices, such as browsing sessions to track user preferences.

On Google Chrome, you can clear your cache and cookies by clicking on the three-dot icon on the top right corner and selecting ‘Settings’.

You’ll then need to find the ‘Privacy’ and ‘Security’ section and click ‘Clear browsing data’.

Use the drop-down menu to select the time frame for data deletion and then check the ‘Cookies and other site data’ and ‘Cached images and files’ options.

Then, click ‘Clear data’ which will then proceed to clear your cookies and cached data.

Next, revisit the website and see if the error message has disappeared.

Even if you clear your cache and it doesn’t resolve an 403 error, it still has perks in terms of improving your overall internet speed.

Modify firewall settings

If clearing your cache still doesn’t solve the issue, there could be an underlying problem between the web server and your firewall which results in the error.

If you’ve visited the web page before, and know that you can trust it, there’s always the option to disable the firewall and restart the page to see if it works.

To revisit this page without problems in the future, it’s a good idea to modify your firewall settings to permit access to this specific page.

You can follow this process with multiple pages that have been blocked by a firewall.

However, it’s wise to exercise caution when doing this as your firewall could be protecting you from something potentially dangerous or damaging on that site.

Contact the website owner

If you’ve exhausted every avenue when trying to solve a 403 error, you may want to consider contacting a website’s owner.

This can be useful for a company if it’s unaware of the issue, and you may help other people experiencing the same problem.

Speak to your service provider

If you’re the only one experiencing this problem and have tried every other solution, it may be time to contact your internet service provider in case your IP address is blocked.

Although this is a rare occurrence, it’s still worth checking even if just to rule it out.