{"id":36848,"date":"2021-09-22T12:03:31","date_gmt":"2021-09-22T12:03:31","guid":{"rendered":"\/tutorials\/?p=36848"},"modified":"2026-03-09T19:19:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T19:19:05","slug":"how-to-fix-the-401-unauthorized-error","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/ng\/tutorials\/how-to-fix-the-401-unauthorized-error","title":{"rendered":"How to fix the \u201c401 Unauthorized\u201d error"},"content":{"rendered":"

The “401 Unauthorized” error is an HTTP status code that occurs when a web server denies access to a specific web page or resource you are trying to reach. This happens because the request lacks valid authentication credentials, such as a username and password, or the provided credentials are incorrect. <\/p>

This error doesn’t affect your ability to access other parts of the website that don’t require authentication. Essentially, the server recognizes your request but will not fulfill it until you can prove you have permission to access the content.<\/p>

There are seven quick methods to fix the “401 Unauthorized” error:<\/p>

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  1. Check authentication credentials<\/a>.<\/strong> Try re-entering your username, password, or API key carefully.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Confirm the URL is correct<\/a>.<\/strong> Double-check if the link is misspelled or if the resource path is incorrect.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Clear your browser’s cookies and cache<\/a>.<\/strong> Remove stored data in your browser settings, then try again.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Flush DNS cache<\/a>.<\/strong> Run a DNS flush command to reset old entries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Disable password protection<\/a>.<\/strong> Review and adjust your server’s .htaccess or hosting panel settings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Disable plugins, modules, and themes<\/a>. <\/strong>Temporarily deactivate them one by one to spot any conflicts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Check the WWW-Authenticate header<\/a>.<\/strong> Inspect the response header to see the required authentication method.<\/li>\n<\/ol>

    Keep reading for a walkthrough of all the methods to solve the 401 error, learn the causes, and recognize error variations.<\/p>

    1. Check authentication credentials<\/h2>

    The 401 page may appear when you’re trying to gain access to restricted resources, such as a password-protected page, with invalid authentication credentials. As a result, you’re unable to open the page.<\/p>

    First thing to do is double-check whether you’re logged in with a valid user ID and password. If you’re sure that you have entered valid authentication credentials, try changing the password.<\/p>

    If you’re having trouble accessing a password-protected WordPress site, make sure you know how to change your WordPress admin password<\/a>.<\/p>

    In case you’re accessing a resource via an application programming interface (API)<\/a>, ensure that your API keys or tokens are correct and have the necessary permissions. Incorrect or missing API credentials can also trigger a 401 error.<\/p>

    2. Confirm the URL is correct<\/h2>

    A wrong URL is a common cause of 401 HTTP status codes. So, make sure that the web address is typed correctly in your browser’s address bar, especially if it includes special characters or numbers.<\/p>

    Typos in hyperlinks from other sites can also lead to this error. If unsure, navigate from the website’s homepage or use a search engine to find the correct web pages.<\/p>

    3. Clear your browser’s cookies and cache<\/h2>

    A corrupted or outdated browser cache and cookies may lead to a server authentication failure. It’s also possible that the current cache and cookies are outdated and in need of manual refreshing.<\/p>

    To delete the cached data and browser cookies, go to your browser’s settings and find the option to clear them. If you use Google Chrome, follow these steps:<\/p>

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    1. Click on the three dots to open the menu in the top-right corner.<\/li>\n<\/ol>
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