What are HTTP Error Codes:- Friends, today we will understand all the errors from 1xx to 5xx.
Have you ever seen error messages like “404 Not Found” or “500 Internal Server Error” while browsing the Internet? If yes, then you are already familiar with HTTP error codes. But what do these codes actually mean and why are they so important?
In this article, we will understand HTTP error codes in a simple and easy way. We will know what each code means and what happens when you fail to access a page on the internet.
What Are HTTP Error Codes?
HTTP error codes are three-digit messages sent by the server to indicate what went wrong with your request processing. These codes tell you what went wrong with your request. If the page does not load or something unexpected happens on the server side, these error codes give you information. What is the problem with your HTTP
HTTP error codes are divided into categories from 1xx to 5xx, each category indicating a different type of issue. Let’s learn about each category, their meaning and examples.
1xx – Informational error codes
What does it mean:
1xx codes inform the server that the request has been received and the server is processing it. These errors are usually not visible to the user as they are informing errors and they work in the background.
Common examples:
- 100 Continue:- Error means that the server has correctly understood the first part of the request received from the client and is now allowing the client to send the remaining data.
- 101 Switching Protocols:- Error means that the server is switching protocols as per the client’s request.
Why these codes are not visible:
These error codes are mostly used during background processing and are not visible to the user.
2xx – Success Codes
What does it mean:
2xx codes mean that the request has been successfully received and accepted by the server. These codes indicate that everything is correct and the server has returned the data.
Common examples:
- 200 OK: The request was successful, and the server has returned the requested data.
- 201 Created: The request was fulfilled and a new resource was created.
- 204 No Content: The request was successful, but no data was returned.
Why it is important:
When you get a 200 OK code, it means that your request process has been completed correctly. There is no problem, I hope you understand the meaning of all code errors, read about the next codes as well.
3xx – Redirection codes
What does it mean: 3xx codes” mean that the server is redirecting you to a new URL to complete the request you made.
Common examples:
- 301 Moved Permanently: This indicates that the page has moved permanently to the new URL. The old URL is no longer used and SEO rankings shift to the new URL.
- 302 Found: This indicates that the page has moved temporarily to the new URL. The old URL can be reused later.
- 304 Not Modified: This means that the client made a request, but there have been no changes to the page, so the server sends the same information as it sent before.
Why it is important:
These codes come when a page or resource is moved. They help users to reach the correct page. If the website manages redirects properly, then these errors do not cause any problem. Or if the website is not able to manage redirects properly, then they can cause problems.
4xx – Client-side error codes
What does it mean: 4xx error codes occur when the client (you, the user) made some mistake in the request.
Common examples:
- 400 Bad Request: This occurs when the request is sent incorrectly or contains invalid data. For example, sending the wrong URL or data in the wrong format.
- 401 Unauthorized: This error means that you must log in or provide valid credentials to access the page or resource. Without proper credentials, access will not be granted.
- 403 Forbidden: This error occurs when you do not have permission to access the page or resource. You are not authorized to access it.
- 404 Not Found: This means that the page or resource you are looking for does not exist on the server. The URL may be wrong or the page may have been deleted.
- 408 Request Timeout: This error appears when the server takes too much time to complete the request. This means that the server did not respond within the time limit.
Why it’s important:
These error codes are the most common ones that users get. They occur when the page doesn’t exist or you don’t have permission to view a resource. For example, a 404 Not Found error occurs when you try to access a page that doesn’t exist.
Methods of fixing:
- 404 Error: Check the URL correctly or try to find the page from the website’s homepage.
- 401 Unauthorized: Log in or provide the correct credentials.
- 403 Forbidden: If you have permission, log in; otherwise, contact the site administration.
5xx – Server-side error codes
What it means: These error codes occur when the server is unable to fulfill your request. These problems are caused by the server, not you.
Common examples:
- 500 Internal Server Error: This means that the server encountered an unexpected condition, which prevents it from completing your request. This is usually caused by a technical problem inside the server.
- 502 Bad Gateway: This occurs when a server, which is acting as a gateway or proxy to receive data from another server, receives a rejected or incorrect response.
- 503 Service Unavailable: This error occurs when the server is temporarily unavailable, such as due to overload or maintenance. This means that the server may be available again after a while.
- 504 Gateway Timeout: This error occurs when a server, which is trying to receive data from another server, does not receive a timely response. This means that the connection to the server was lost prematurely.
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Why it’s important:
These error codes can be frustrating for users because there’s usually nothing that can be done to fix them. Fixing these errors requires the site owner to troubleshoot server issues.
How to Fix HTTP Errors?
Although some error codes are beyond your control, you can fix some common HTTP errors:
- 404 error: Check the URL again or try to find the page from the website’s homepage.
- 500 error: If you are the site owner, check the server logs. If you are the user, try again after a while.
- 403 error: Try logging in or contact the site administration for proper permissions.
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conclusion
HTTP error codes tell us how the server processed our request. Understanding these codes helps us diagnose problems we are experiencing on a website. Whether it is a simple 404 Not Found or a more complex 500 Internal Server Error, going through these error codes helps us understand what went wrong and how to fix it.
The next time you encounter a web error, know that you’ll be able to easily understand what causes it, and you can take the right steps to fix the problem. Happy Browsing
