The errors on your website can be very frustrating both to the use and the admin. One such problem is the 404 Unauthorized Error that seriously damages user experience and SEORanking. Unlike a generic 404 Not Found error, this error tells you that the requested page exists, it just isn’t accessible because permission or authentication issues prevent you from seeing the page.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the causes of the 404 Unauthorized Error, ways to fix it and what we can do to prevent it from happening again. Then if you own a website & tech person or an SEO speciality then this guide is for you so you can solve this error effectively.

404 Unauthorized Error explained

When users encounter the 404 Unauthorized Error, it can be confusing because the message combines elements of two common issues:

• 404 Not Found: The other person (whether the resource is missing, or the URL is incorrect) has no resource.
• Unauthorized Access: There's a resource but because of lack of proper permissions it’s being locked.

Frequent occurrences of the error can be a bad sign for search engine rankings, as can be a dealbreaker for website visitors.
 

The 404 Unauthorized Error is Caused by the Following

Explained three main causes: Resource is unreachable, Access is not allowed, and Control blocks have been bypassed.

However, to resolve this error it is important to understand the root cause of this error. Here are the most common triggers:

• An error in the file or directory permission

There are a possibility that your server will deny access from no permissions were set properly on files or folders.

• Broken or Outdated Links

This error occurs when URL points at deleted, renamed or restricted resources.

• Authentication Issues

Retries occur to override an invalid credentials or expired session.

• Misconfigured .htaccess File

In all Apache servers, errors in this file can block access to resources.

• Server Configuration Errors

The error could be related to web server settings, for example with rewritten rules incorrect.

• Expired Tokens or API Keys

When you have expired keys or tokens for your apps or APIs, you may get unauthorized access errors.

Here You Will Learn How to Fix the 404 Unauthorized Error

Verify File & Folder Permissions

Incorrect file permissions are one of the major reasons of this type of error. Use the following steps to fix this:

• To log in use FTP or a file manager to your server.
• Secondly, make sure file permissions are set to 644 (owner can read and write, others can only read) so it won’t change permissions since a lot can be killed by changing file permissions.
• Permissions of director should be set to 755.
• It is advised to not make anything 777, as that could expose your files to security risk.

Check Broken Links

404 errors usually come from broken links. You’ll be able to find these links using tools such as Google Search Console, Ahrefs or Screaming Frog. Once identified:

• Feel free to update the broken URLs to the correct resources.
• Use 301 redirects to permanently tell Google that their old 404 URL should be pointing at new and relevant pages.

Inspect; Authentication Settings

If the error involves restricted resources:

• Make sure the username and password used is correct.
• On a CMS platform like WordPress check user roles to give the correct permissions.
• Flip your switch when your authentication tokens have expired.

Debug .htaccess File

Unauthorized access to your website can be caused by a misconfigured .htaccess file in Apache servers. Follow these steps:

• Backup your .htaccess file.
• Search for rewrite rules that are improperly configured, or deny directives.
• So this is a great job to quickly test whether the issue is resolved by replacing the old .htaccess file with a default one.
• Otherwise, check in with your hosting provider, or server documentation.

Clear Browser Cache and Cookies hold the trail of your daily life

Sometimes the 404 unauthorized error can be caused by bad cached data when using cookies. To fix this:

• Your browser needs to clear cache and delete cookies.
• To attempt to access the page in incognito mode or another browser.
• Cookies must be enabled for websites that require login sessions.

Resolve API Errors

If the error occurs while accessing APIs:

• Make sure your endpoint URL is right.
• Verify API keys or tokens are valid, and not expired.
• Make sure API requests contain the required headers (such as Authorization).

Review Server Configuration

It may be necessary for advanced users to look over server configurations. For example:

• Check server block configuration on NGINX servers.
• If you enabled HTTPS make sure that SSL certificates are properly installed.
• Make sure that URL Rewriting rules are defined correctly.

Analyze Server Logs

The error logs as well as access logs will give some idea about the error cause. Look for:

• A URL and the HTTP status codes.
• That is because we can use timestamps to know exactly when an error happened.

Fix HTTPS-Related Issues

If the error occurs after enabling HTTPS:

• Verify that all URLs are updated to use https:// instead of http://.
• Validate and get information on the installation of your SSL certificate.

Consult Your Hosting Provider

If none of that works, contact your hosting provider. They could look through server settings, logs and configurations to get the problem solved.

Preventive Measures

• Regularly Update Your Website

If compatibility isn’t a concern, update your CMS, plugins and themes.

• Perform Routine Link Audits

Tools monitor broken links and help to update or redirect the links, when required.

• Enable Custom Error Pages

You should also create user friendly 404 and unsy code error pages to give visitors back to your site.

• Monitor Server Logs

Error check your logs regularly so you can fix them quickly.

• IMplement Proper Access Controls

Assign permissions by user roles via use of role based access control (RBAC).

• Be Secure and Use the Authentication Practices

Use two factor authentication and make sure you change passwords and tokens often.

Why You Should Call on 404 Unauthorized Errors

Ignoring these errors can lead to several problems:

• Poor User Experience: These frequent errors might scare off visitors from leaving your site.
• Negative SEO Impact: If your site has broken links or access issues, search engines can, and often will, lower your rankings.
• Lost Revenue: For eCommerce sites, errors mean abandoned carts and lost sales.

Not addressing this right away has negative effects on user experience, your SEO rankings as well as your online reputation.

Conclusion

Fixing the error 404 Unauthorized Error can be hopeless but if you can manage to get the right angle of attack, it can be fixed. When you use the above methods, you will identify the root cause and that may include file permissions, authentication issues, server misconfiguration. You’ll be able to fix it as quickly as possible.

Remember, a proactive approach is better than going after the errors it makes again. Keeping your website error free demands regular updates, monitoring tools, and the right access controls — so your users have a seamless experience and your SEO performance isn’t negatively impacted.

If you cannot figure it out, and it continues to persist, don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional web developer or your hosting provider.