The “403 Forbidden” error is one of the most frustrating & common issues a WordPress user or web developer can face. It essentially blocks access to parts of your website, preventing both you and your visitors from viewing certain pages.
While this issue is common, it can often be resolved with some basic troubleshooting.
In this post, I will share the causes of this error, its symptoms, and, most importantly, the steps to fix it.
What is the “403 Forbidden” Error?
The “403 Forbidden” error is an HTTP status code that occurs when the server refuses to provide access to the requested resource.
Common Messages Associated with the “403 Forbidden” Error:
- 403 Forbidden – You don’t have permission to access this resource
- HTTP Error 403 – Forbidden
- 403 – Forbidden: Access is denied
These variations are essentially the same error message and often indicate an issue with user permissions, server configuration, or security settings.
Symptoms of the “403 Forbidden” Error
The most obvious symptom is seeing the “403 Forbidden” error message on your WordPress site. However, this error can manifest in different ways:
- Unable to access certain pages
- Locked out of your website
- Plugin or theme installation fails
These symptoms not only impact user experience but can also prevent you, as a WordPress developer, from effectively managing your site.
Common Causes of the “403 Forbidden” Error
Understanding the root cause of the 403 error is crucial for finding the right solution.
Below are some of the most common reasons you may encounter this issue on a WordPress site:
1. Corrupt .htaccess File
If .htaccess file becomes corrupted or contains incorrect rules, it can cause access issues and result in a 403 Forbidden error.
2. Incorrect File Permissions
If the permissions for critical WordPress files or directories are set incorrectly, your web server may block access, leading to the 403 error.
3. Plugin or Theme Conflicts
Sometimes, a poorly coded or malfunctioning plugin or theme can trigger a 403 Forbidden error.
4. IP Blocking
If you or your visitors have been blocked by the site’s firewall (such as through a plugin), you may see a 403 error when trying to access the site.
Steps to Fix the “403 Forbidden” Error in WordPress
Fixing the “403 Forbidden” error requires a methodical approach, especially for web developers managing multiple WordPress sites. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:
1. Check the .htaccess File
- Access your site via FTP or cPanel and locate the .htaccess file in the root directory.
- Download a backup copy of this file before making any changes.
- Delete the existing .htaccess file from your server.
- Attempt to access your site again. If the error is resolved, you’ll need to generate a fresh .htaccess file. You can do this by navigating to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and clicking the “Save Changes” button to create a new file.
2. Fix File and Directory Permissions
Incorrect file permissions are another common cause of the 403 Forbidden error. You need to make sure that your files should have permissions set as 644 and directories as 755.
- Log in to your server using FTP or cPanel.
- Right-click on your files and directories and select File Permissions.
- Ensure that your directories are set to 755 and your files to 644. If they are not, you can change the permissions and save the changes.
3. Deactivate Plugins
To rule out a plugin conflict, deactivate all of your plugins and check if the error persists.
- Navigate to your WordPress dashboard or use an FTP client to rename your plugins folder temporarily.
- If the error disappears, reactivate each plugin one by one to identify which one is causing the issue.
- Once you’ve pinpointed the problematic plugin, either delete it or contact the plugin’s developer for support.
Consult Your Hosting Provider
If the above methods don’t work, it may be necessary to reach out to your hosting provider for assistance. They can check server logs, firewall settings, and IP blocks that could be contributing to the issue.