A 403 Forbidden means the server understood what you asked for and is refusing to give it to you. Unlike a 401, logging in will not usually help.
What to do
- Check the file and folder permissions. Files should normally be 644 and folders 755. A folder set to 700 will give a 403.
- Check whether an index file exists. Asking for a folder with no
index.htmlorindex.phpin it often returns 403. - Look in
.htaccessfor aDenyorRequirerule blocking access. - Check whether your IP has been blocked. Firewalls and security plugins block addresses after failed logins.
- If it only happens on some requests, a firewall rule is probably the cause rather than the file itself.
403 or 401?
| 401 | The server does not know who you are. Log in and try again. |
| 403 | The server knows and is saying no. Retrying will not change it. |
Why it happens
- Wrong file or folder permissions
- No index file in the folder you asked for
- A rule in
.htaccessblocking the request - Your IP address is blocked
- A security plugin or web firewall stepped in
- Hotlink protection, if the request is for an image