Have you ever tried to visit a website only to be blocked by a frustrating message? Something like: 401 Unauthorized. Yeah, it’s annoying, right? But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! In this blog, I’ll walk you through what the 401 error code is, why it happens, and how you can fix it — whether you’re just learning about WordPress or already running your own website.
So, let’s dive right in and fix this together!
What Is the 401 Error Code in WordPress?
Imagine you’re trying to get into a party, but the bouncer says you’re not on the guest list. The 401 error is just like that. It means the website doesn’t recognize you, so it won’t let you in.
More technically, the 401 error occurs when your browser doesn’t have the right permission (or authentication) to access a web page. It’s like trying to get backstage without a pass.
Why Does the 401 Error Code Happen?
The 401 error can pop up for a bunch of reasons. Some common ones are:
- Invalid login details: If your username or password is wrong, you’ll be blocked.
- Expired session: Sometimes, even if you logged in earlier, your session might have expired, so you’ll need to log in again.
- Plugin conflicts: Certain plugins might mess things up and trigger a 401 error.
- Wrong URL: If you try to access a page that doesn’t exist or isn’t available to you, the error will appear.
Examples of 401 Error Code Scenarios You Can Relate To:
- You’re logging into WordPress, but instead of your dashboard, you’re greeted with a 401 error. This could be because your session expired, and you need to log in again.
- You’re trying to connect your WordPress site to Zapier, but Zapier says it can’t access your site. Zapier might be missing proper credentials, leading to the 401 error code.
Why Is the 401 Error Code Important?
If you’ve got a website, the 401 error code can be a nightmare for your visitors. Imagine someone trying to view your awesome blog or product page, and they can’t because of this error! Not only will this frustrate your visitors, but it can also hurt your website’s reputation and engagement.
Plus, the 401 error may be a signal of deeper issues, like a security problem. This makes fixing it right away super important.
Common 401 Error Code Variations
While browsing, you might encounter different versions of the 401 error code. Although they all point to the same underlying issue, these variations may appear slightly different depending on the website or server setup. Here are some of the most frequent 401 error code messages you might see:
- 401 Unauthorized: The most common and straightforward version, telling you that access is denied due to missing or invalid credentials.
- Authorization Required: This variation signals that you need proper authorization to access the page.
- Access Denied: Another common one, usually showing up when your credentials don’t match what’s required.
- 401 Authorization Required: This tells you the website requires you to log in before accessing certain content.
- 401: Unauthorized: A simplified version of the error that quickly highlights the problem — you’re unauthorized to view the page.
- This site is experiencing technical difficulties (401): Some websites throw this message when the server has trouble verifying your credentials.
Each of these messages means the same thing — you’re blocked from accessing the page without the correct authentication. Recognizing these variations helps you troubleshoot the 401 error code faster.
How Can You Fix the 401 Error Code in WordPress?
Now, let’s get to the good part — fixing the 401 error! Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a tech wizard to do this.
1. Check Your Login Details
First things first: double-check that you’re using the right login credentials. Trust me, it happens to me too! Try logging in again and see if the error goes away.
2. Clear Your Browser Cache
The 401 error might be caused by an expired or corrupted cache. Your browser stores bits of data to help websites load faster, but sometimes that data gets outdated or corrupted. Here’s how you can clear your cache:
- Go to your browser settings.
- Find the “Clear browsing data” option.
- Select “cached images and files” and clear them.
This is an easy fix and often solves the issue with the 401 error code.
3. Disable Password Protection Temporarily
Sometimes, the 401 error code appears because your WordPress site’s admin directory is password-protected. While this extra layer of security is important, it can also trigger a 401 error if there’s an issue with the password protection settings, or if the server configuration has changed. In such cases, temporarily disabling this password protection can help resolve the error.
How to do that?
To do this, you’ll need to access your hosting control panel. Different hosting providers, like Bluehost, GoDaddy, or SiteGround, may have slightly different interfaces, but the general process remains the same. First, log in to your hosting account and locate a setting that mentions Directory Privacy or Password-Protected Directories. This is where your website’s folder and file protection settings are managed.
Once inside this section, you’ll see a list of the directories on your hosting account. Browse through the list and locate the folder labeled wp-admin. This is your WordPress admin directory, and if it’s password-protected, that’s likely the reason for the 401 error you’re seeing. To fix this, select the wp-admin folder and review its current settings.
You should see an option that says something like Password protect this directory. If this box is checked, uncheck it and save the settings. By doing so, you’ll be temporarily disabling the password protection on your WordPress admin area.
Once the protection is disabled, try accessing your WordPress site again. If the 401 error no longer appears and you can successfully log in, then you’ve identified the issue. But don’t forget — leaving your admin directory unprotected could expose your site to security risks. So after confirming that the 401 error code is resolved, you’ll want to re-enable password protection.
To do this, simply return to the same directory privacy settings and set up a new user and password for the wp-admin directory. This will give your site the security it needs while ensuring that the error doesn’t reappear. This method is a quick fix, but make sure to double-check your password and ensure everything is set up correctly to avoid future login issues.
4. Modify Your .htaccess File
If you’re comfortable with a bit of tech, this one’s for you. The .htaccess file is a configuration file used by your server, and sometimes, modifying it can solve the issue. Here’s what you can do:
- Access your WordPress root directory via FTP or your hosting file manager.
- Locate and download the .htaccess file.
- Open it in a text editor and check for anything that could block access, like wrong redirects or password protection codes.
- If you’re unsure, you can reset the file to default settings by renaming it and letting WordPress generate a new one. Find out in this post if you want to know how to do that. The Ultimate Guide to Troubleshooting Err_Too_Many_Redirects in WordPress
Always remember to back up your file before making any changes!
5. Try a Redirection Plugin for the 401 Error Code
If none of these work, you could try using a plugin like BetterLinks to manage redirections. Sometimes the 401 error happens because the page URL is broken, and setting up proper redirection might solve it.
Here’s what you do:
- Install the BetterLinks plugin.
- Set up a redirection from the broken link to the correct page.
It’s quick and easy, and it can save you a lot of trouble when fixing the 401 error code.
Other Causes and Fixes for the 401 Error Code
If you’ve tried everything above and are still getting the 401 error code, don’t panic. Here are a few more things to check:
1. Plugin Conflicts Can Trigger a 401 Error Code
Sometimes, certain WordPress plugins don’t play nice with each other. To see if this is causing the 401 error code, try deactivating all your plugins. And activate your plugins one by one. Checking the website after each. Once you find the culprit, you can either update it or replace it with a better alternative.
2. Incorrect File Permissions
If a file or folder on your website doesn’t have the right permissions, your visitors might see the 401 error code. You’ll need to access your website’s files and check the permissions. Make sure files have a permission level of 644 and folders are set to 755.
3. Security Software Blocking Access
Some security measures like firewalls might be blocking access by mistake. Try temporarily disabling any firewalls or security software to see if that resolves the issue with the 401 error code.
Final Thoughts: Keep Calm and Fix On!
The 401 error can seem like a big deal, but with the steps I’ve shown you, fixing it doesn’t have to be hard. Just take it step by step, and before you know it, your WordPress site will be back to normal, ready for visitors without any frustrating roadblocks.
Remember, website problems happen, but they’re always fixable with a bit of patience and know-how. Now that you know how to handle a 401 error code, you’re ready to tackle the next tech challenge that comes your way! Keep learning and growing — you got this!