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HTTP errors are status codes returned by a server to indicate whether a request was processed successfully or whether a problem occurred. These errors can really disrupt the user experience, hurt my site’s SEO (or yours), and even lead to traffic losses, which is something I always try to avoid.
In this article, I’ll share my experience with the 10 most common HTTP errors, including the ones I’ve already covered on my blog: 404, 500, 403, 502, 504, and 429. I’ll also explain the causes of these errors and, above all, how I go about fixing them efficiently.
1. HTTP 404 Error: Page Not Found
What it is:
The HTTP 404 error is when a requested page or resource can’t be found on the server. It can happen because of a broken link, a mistyped URL or simply because the page was deleted.
How I fix it:
- I set up 301 redirects to send users to an alternative page.
- I regularly scan my site with tools like Broken Link Checker to detect broken links.
- I create a custom 404 page to help my visitors find their way back.
Learn more:
I wrote a complete guide on the HTTP 404 error that I invite you to check out.
2. HTTP 500 Error: Internal Server Error
What it is:
The HTTP 500 error is a classic: it means something is wrong on the server, but without giving any specific details. This kind of error can really be a problem, especially when you don’t know where to start.
How I fix it:
- I check the file and folder permissions on my server (644 for files, 755 for folders).
- I inspect the
.htaccessfile to spot any configuration errors. - I increase the PHP memory limit if my site uses a lot of resources.
Learn more:
Check out my article dedicated to the HTTP 500 error.
3. HTTP 403 Error: Forbidden
What it is:
The HTTP 403 error is when access to a resource is denied. It can be due to misconfigured permissions or restrictions in the .htaccess file.
How I fix it:
- I adjust the file and folder permissions.
- I check the rules in the
.htaccessfile and fix the restrictions. - I temporarily disable security plugins to see whether one of them is causing a conflict.
Learn more:
Learn how to handle the HTTP 403 error on my blog.
4. HTTP 502 Error: Bad Gateway
What it is:
This error occurs when an intermediate server (proxy or gateway) receives an invalid response from the main server. It’s frustrating because it gives little information about what’s wrong.
How I fix it:
- I check whether the main server is up and running by contacting my hosting provider.
- I temporarily disable my CDN (Cloudflare, for example) to test the direct connection to the server.
- I increase the execution timeouts (
timeout) in the server configuration.
Learn more:
I’ve detailed all the steps to fix the HTTP 502 error.
5. HTTP 504 Error: Gateway Timeout
What it is:
The HTTP 504 error means the server took too long to respond. It can be due to a long-running script or a DNS problem.
How I fix it:
- I test my DNS configuration to detect delays.
- I increase the execution timeouts in the server configuration files.
- I optimize my PHP and SQL scripts to reduce processing times.
Learn more:
Check out my complete article on the HTTP 504 error.
6. HTTP 429 Error: Too Many Requests
What it is:
This error occurs when too many requests are sent to the server in a short period of time. It’s often linked to a bot or a poorly optimized plugin.
How I fix it:
- I set up rate limiting rules in the
.htaccessfile. - I configure a crawl delay for bots in the
robots.txtfile. - I use a CDN like Cloudflare to handle traffic spikes.
Learn more:
Find out how to handle the HTTP 429 error in one of my articles.
Other errors worth knowing
7. HTTP 401 Error: Unauthorized
What it is:
The HTTP 401 error means that authentication is required to access a resource. This can happen if the credentials are incorrect or if authentication is missing.
How I fix it:
- I check the access credentials to make sure they’re correct.
- If necessary, I set up a custom login page to help users provide the right information.
Learn more:
Find out how to fix the HTTP 401 error and restore access to your site.
8. HTTP 410 Error: Gone
What it is:
The HTTP 410 error indicates that a resource has been permanently removed from the server. Unlike a 404 error, this error specifies that the page or file won’t be coming back.
How I fix it:
- I set up a 301 redirect if an alternative exists.
- I remove the broken links that point to the deleted resource.
Learn more:
Check out my complete guide on the HTTP 410 error to learn how to handle it efficiently.
9. HTTP 400 Error: Bad Request
What it is:
The HTTP 400 error occurs when the server can’t process a request because of incorrect syntax or malformed data.
How I fix it:
- I check for malformed URLs to fix incorrect characters or parameters.
- I test the forms to make sure the submitted data matches the expected formats.
Learn more:
Learn how to handle the HTTP 400 error and avoid bad requests.
10. HTTP 503 Error: Service Unavailable
What it is:
The HTTP 503 error means the server is temporarily unable to process a request. This can be due to an overload or scheduled maintenance.
How I fix it:
- I set up a temporary maintenance page to inform visitors.
- I increase the server resources if my site is receiving high traffic.
Learn more:
Check out my detailed article on the HTTP 503 error and how to fix it efficiently.
If you want to learn more, explore my detailed articles on the most common errors such as the 404 error, the 500 error, and the 502 error. And don’t forget: regular maintenance of your site is the key to avoiding these problems!
