What Causes Error 401 and How Do I Fix It? Take into account the following scenario: You are striving to update your web site but are unable to access the back end for any reason. You are unable to access your WordPress login page, which is even worse, because of a frustrating 401 error. There is a problem with your browser’s credentials, which is what an HTTP error 401 means. This article will explain what it means and discuss the potential triggers. Then, we’ll go over five solutions to the problem so you can get back to your regularly scheduled blogging.
Explain what a 401 error is and why it matters.
The HTTP 401 error has a source.
It’s very likely that you’ve made an attempt to access WordPress but used the wrong credentials. If this occurs, you will be presented with an error page alerting you of your password; however, if you enter the right user name and password again, you will still be granted access.
When an attempt is made to access a web site using improper credentials, a more severe error than the 401 occurs. If your site isn’t properly verified with your server by your browser, you won’t even make it to the WordPress Login screen.
If you obtain a 401 Authorization Required error, it means you need to retry accessing the source with the correct credentials. In contrast to an HTTP 403 error, which definitively prohibits access to the website you are seeking to reach, this error is often temporary. A 401 error may occasionally resolve itself, allowing you to access your web site again. But even for a limited time, it’s frustrating to have your web site locked. Rather than waiting for your browser to resolve the issue, you can reach the back end more quickly by taking action.
In this article about the 401 Error, you may learn the following information:
Because there is no single cause for 401 errors, they are problematic. This makes it hard to ascertain which one is causing your browser to malfunction. With this in mind, we’ll examine several options, one at a time.
It’s imperative that all DNS records be removed.
The IP addresses and URLs you access most frequently are typically stored in data on your computer. The ability to process requests more quickly will be available in the future. Flushing your DNS means eradicating any temporary data from your computer. The next time you attempt to access the problematic URL, it will issue a new request and re-authenticate. Different operating systems have a different process for flushing the Domain Name System (DNS).
Once Windows displays a success message, you may attempt accessing the website again. Mac users must follow a similar process, albeit the command they must enter in Terminal varies depending on the version of OSX they are using. On High Sierra, Mojave, or Sierra, users can terminate mDNSResponder by running sudo killall -HUP.
Browsers may also save data in order to prevent the need to refresh web sites every time you access them. The process is known as caching. In some cases, the wrong login information may be stored. Fixing your 401 error is simple if this is the root of the problem. The vast majority of current browsers allow you to quickly erase your cache.
Data from the Chrome web browser is deleted. The user can choose which data should be removed by the browser.
deleting pictures and files from the cache of Chrome. To continue accessing your website, please try again. If the problem persists, the cache in your firewall may be the problem’s source. If your server is unable to communicate with your firewall, authentication issues may arise.
The process of fixing this will differ depending on the tool you’re using. Access your dashboard as a Cloudflare user and go to the Caching section. Using Cloudflare’s Purge Everything option, you can wipe the firewall cache and restart your firewall from scratch. Eliminating the cache will not have any influence on the firewall’s functionality. In the worst situation, you may run into slower loading times when you return to your site; however, this issue should resolve itself after your cache is regenerated. To see if the cache can be deleted manually, consult the firewall software’s instructions. Instead of using these services, you may need to get in touch with assistance.
Third, examine plugin and theme conflicts in WordPress.
Incompatible issues with your WordPress theme and plugins might occasionally create a 401 error. In order to identify the issue’s source, if you have access to the dashboard, it is simple to turn off either component.
Plugins can be disabled from the WordPress Dashboard. Make use of the WordPress Twenty-Nine or Twenty-Twenty theme as an example. Afterwards, it is feasible to reproduce the issue by reactivating each plugin independently. The problematic part should be accessible for monitoring. The 401 error, on the other hand, may prevent you from accessing your dashboard. This means you’ll need File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and an FTP client, such FileZilla, in order to disable your theme and plugins.
The plugins for FileZilla are disabled. Right-click on each plugin folder and give it a new name. It may be as simple as using the plugin-name _ disabled. Because of this, WordPress will be unable to find these folders. Re-access the web site when the plugins have been removed. If the 401 error has been removed, it means that the root reason was an essential incompatibility. You can change the names of your plugins in FileZilla once you’ve returned to it. Please take this time to look over your website throughout the breaks. When the 401 error returns, the problem is with the instrument that was last utilized. Themes may also be disabled in a similar manner.
Use FileZilla to turn on the WordPress theme. The default theme will replace it immediately. Check your web site again to verify if the 401 error still occurs. If it doesn’t, maybe you could look at other options; maybe the problem is related to the theme you’re using. Check out the Datadog Substitutes page also.
Fourth, turn off the password protection for the WordPress folder
You may add a lot of useful features by making changes to your WordPress.htaccess file. Using password protection, you can make sure that your WordPress folders are secure beyond just the login page. The problem with this type of password security is that there is no way to retrieve your login information. Unless you disable the feature entirely, you will be locked out if you forget them. Using FTP, the login prompt can be disabled in a simple way. You have the option to completely disable the password security function or limit its access to the particular directory you want to utilize. In order to implement the first method, navigate to the root directory of WordPress and open the.htaccess file there. Make modifications to the.htaccess file using FileZilla: Right-click the file and choose the Edit option to access your system’s default text editor.
The password security for each of your directories will be fully disabled if this section is completely removed. A second file, titled.htpasswd, should be present in each directory that requires it. After the folder is deleted, the password security for that part of the folder is likewise removed. Try re-accessing your web site just after making the necessary changes. If that doesn’t solve the problem, the source of the 401(k) error may be further up.
5. Contact your web host via email.
If all else fails and the 401 error persists for an extended period of time without being fixed, your best option is to contact your hosting provider. You’ve tried everything else, which means a server-related issue may be to blame. Your provider’s support staff has access to more sophisticated diagnostic tools, which means they can help you narrow down the issue’s root cause. Since tickets may take some time to process, you should make an attempt to debug the 401 error on your own first.
To conclude,
If you routinely explore the web, you probably won’t run into any problems. It usually makes no difference. When your own website returns the 401 error code, your worries should increase dramatically. If you are unable to resolve the problem, you may be locked out for a prolonged length of time.