How to Fix a 401 Unauthorized Error?

Are you seeing a 401 Unauthorized Error and wondering how to fix it? The 401 Unauthorized Error is an HTTP status code error that represents the request sent by the client to the server that lacks valid authentication credentials. It may be represented as "401 Unauthorized", "Authorization required", or "HTTP error 401- Unauthorized". It represents that the request could not be authenticated. It consists of a www-Authenticate header which contains a hint on how to authorize correctly. Fortunately, solving this issue is usually straightforward.

This common error pops up when there's a problem with your login credentials or your browser settings. It simply means that the server won't let you access a webpage because it doesn't recognize you or your permissions. In this article, we’ll break down what the 401 Unauthorized Error means, common causes, and step-by-step solutions.

What is the 401 Unauthorized Error?

The "401 Unauthorized Error" is a standard HTTP response status code that indicates that a request sent to a server cannot be completed because it lacks valid authentication credentials. This error occurs when either no authentication is provided or the provided credentials are not valid or sufficient to access the resource. It's essentially the server's way of saying "You need to log in to see this" or "You don’t have permission to access this without proper authentication." This error prompts the user to provide the necessary credentials, and if provided correctly, the server allows access to the requested resource.

Causes of 401 Unauthorized Error:

This Unauthorized 401 error may occur due to the reasons described below: 

• It may occur client does not provide the proper authentication credentials to the server within the request time.
• It may occur when the server rejects the request of the client for some reason even though the client provides proper authentication credentials.
• When the client is banned for some reason by the server.

How to Fix a 401 Unauthorized Error?

If you're seeing a "401 Unauthorized Error," it means you need to log in with the correct credentials to access the page or resource. Here's how you can fix this error:

1. Check The URL

Make sure the web address you're trying to access is correct. Due to manual errors in typing the URL, the 401 unauthorized error may occur. Hence, checking the URL and rectifying the mistakes in it will fix the 401 error status. Sometimes, a simple typo or wrong link could lead to a "401 Unauthorized" error. Double-check the URL to ensure it's the right one for the page you want to visit.

2. Flush the DNS

If you're still seeing a 401 Unauthorized Error after trying other fixes, you might want to try flushing your DNS. This can help solve issues caused by old or corrupted DNS records that your computer might be using to connect to the internet. Here’s how you can do it:

On Windows:

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt by typing cmd in the search bar.

Step 2: Right-click on Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator."

Step 3: Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter. You’ll see a message that says "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache" if it worked.

On macOS:

Step 1: Open Terminal from your Applications folder.

Step 2: Type sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder and press Enter. Enter your password when prompted.

Step 3: This command resets the DNS cache on most versions of macOS.

On Linux:

Step 1: Open a terminal.

Step 2: Depending on your distribution, type sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches or sudo /etc/init.d/nscd restart and press Enter.

3. Clear Browser Cookie and Cache

Sometimes, old or corrupted browser data can cause a "401 Unauthorized Error." To fix this, try clearing your browser's cookies and cache. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Open your browser settings: You'll usually find this option in the menu in the top right corner of your browser.

Step 2: Find the privacy or history section: This is where browser data is managed.

Step 3: Select to clear cookies and cache: There might be options to clear browsing history, cookies, and cached images and files. Select the appropriate options.

Step 4: Restart your browser: After clearing the cookies and cache, close your browser and open it again.

This can help remove any stored data that might be causing login issues.

4. Logging out and Logging in again

If you were logged in and started seeing this error, log out and then log back in. This can refresh your session and solve the problem.

5. Website mistake

A few times all the above things are good or accurate but still you will get the 401 Unauthorized Error, which is a mistake of the website. That time you need to contact the webmaster of that website and inform that the server is down. You can email them at [email protected] replace the webmaster.com with the website, or you can see the contact us option on any website through that you can inform them.

Following these steps should help you resolve the 401 Unauthorized Error and regain access to the website or resource.

Variations of 401 Authentication error

This error can occur in the below forms also: 

Conclusion

In conclusion, 401 Unauthorized Error can be frustrating, but it's a problem with a solution. By following the steps mentioned in this article, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve this issue. Remember, check your credentials to ensure they are accurate and up-to-date. Verify permissions to ensure you have access to the resource you're trying to reach. Clear cookies and cache to eliminate any potential conflicts. Check server configurations to ensure they are properly set up. And if all else fails, don't hesitate to reach out to the website administrator for assistance. By addressing the 401 Unauthorized Error promptly and effectively, you can get back to accessing the content you need without interruption.