8 Ways to Fix a 403 Forbidden Error On Your Website

The 403 Forbidden error occurs when the server denies access to a requested resource, indicating that you don’t have permission to view the page or directory. It’s a common issue and can be frustrating for both website owners and visitors. Fortunately, there are several ways to troubleshoot and fix the error.

Here are 8 ways to fix a 403 Forbidden error on your website:

1. Check File Permissions

One of the most common reasons for a 403 Forbidden error is incorrect file permissions. Each file and folder on your web server has specific permissions that dictate who can read, write, or execute the file. If the permissions are too restrictive, you may encounter the error.

How to Fix:

1. Access your site via FTP or your hosting provider’s File Manager.
2. Right-click on the file or folder displaying the error, and check permissions.
3. The ideal permission settings are:
   • Files: 644 (read and write for the owner, read for everyone else).
   • Folders: 755 (owner can read, write, and execute; everyone else can read and execute).
4. Change the permissions if necessary and refresh your website to see if the error is resolved.

2. Check the .htaccess File

Your .htaccess file contains configuration settings for your web server. A misconfigured or corrupted .htaccess file can cause the 403 Forbidden error.

How to Fix:

1. Access your site’s root directory via FTP or File Manager.
2. Locate the .htaccess file and download a backup copy in case something goes wrong.
3. Temporarily rename the .htaccess file (e.g., .htaccess_old) and check if the error is fixed.
   • If the error disappears, this indicates an issue with your .htaccess file.
4. Create a new .htaccess file by going to your WordPress dashboard (if using WordPress) > Settings > Permalinks, and clicking Save (without changing any settings). This will generate a fresh .htaccess file.
5. If needed, reapply any custom settings from your old .htaccess file.

3. Deactivate Plugins or Themes (WordPress)

Sometimes a plugin or theme in WordPress can cause a conflict and result in a 403 error. It could be due to a security plugin or a theme that is misconfigured.

How to Fix:

1. Access your website via FTP or your hosting control panel.
2. Navigate to wp-content > plugins and rename the plugins folder to something like plugins_old.
3. This will deactivate all plugins. Check if the error is resolved.
4. If the error is gone, activate each plugin one by one to identify which one is causing the problem.
5. You can follow the same process with the themes folder if you suspect a theme issue.

4. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Sometimes, the 403 error might be caused by cached files or outdated cookies in your browser. Clearing your browser cache and cookies can help resolve the issue.

How to Fix:

1. Open your browser settings.
2. Go to the Privacy & Security section.
3. Clear cache, cookies, and site data for your website.
4. Restart your browser and try accessing the site again.

5. Check IP Deny Rules in cPanel

If you’re using cPanel, there may be an IP block that is preventing access to the site. Sometimes, web hosts or security plugins may block certain IP addresses, including your own, by mistake.

How to Fix:

1. Log in to your cPanel.
2. Under Security, click on IP Blocker.
3. Review the list of blocked IP addresses.
4. If you find your IP address or any unnecessary IP blocks, remove them and check if the error is resolved.

6. Disable Hotlink Protection

Hotlink protection prevents other websites from using your content (like images) directly by linking to it on your server. However, if configured incorrectly, it can cause a 403 Forbidden error, blocking access to legitimate resources.

How to Fix:

1. Log in to your cPanel or hosting account dashboard.
2. Navigate to the Hotlink Protection settings under the Security section.
3. Ensure that your site’s URL is included in the allowed list.
4. Disable hotlink protection temporarily and check if the error goes away.

7. Verify Your Server Configuration (Apache or NGINX)

If you’re running your own server, incorrect server configuration can lead to a 403 error. For Apache servers, it could be related to directory settings in the httpd.conf file, while for NGINX, it could involve directives in the configuration file.

How to Fix:

• Apache:
  • Check the httpd.conf file for proper <Directory> directives and ensure that permissions allow access.
  • Ensure the Options directive is not set to None for the directories in question.
• NGINX:
  • Verify that the nginx.conf file has the proper root directory and permission configurations.

If you’re not comfortable editing server files, you might want to ask your hosting provider for support.

8. Contact Your Hosting Provider

If none of the above methods work, the issue might be server-related or due to a misconfiguration at the hosting level. In some cases, hosting providers enforce security rules that could trigger a 403 error if they detect unusual activity.

How to Fix:

1. Contact your hosting provider’s support team.
2. Provide them with details about the 403 error and request their assistance in identifying and resolving the issue.
3. Hosting providers typically have access to error logs and can help troubleshoot the issue more effectively.

Conclusion

The 403 Forbidden error can be caused by various issues, from incorrect file permissions and misconfigured .htaccess files to server settings and IP blocks. By following these 8 methods, you can systematically troubleshoot and resolve the error, restoring access to your website. If you’re unable to fix the issue on your own, reaching out to your hosting provider for assistance can help resolve more complex server-related issues.