Fixing problems with your web browser
Sometimes, when you’re browsing online, a website just won’t load. You might see a number and a short message like “404 Not Found” or “500 Server Error.” These are called internet response codes, and they’re the website’s way of telling you what went wrong.
The good news? Many of these errors are temporary or easy to fix. Here’s a guide to the most common ones and what you can do.
Common error codes and what they mean
400 – Bad Request
This usually happens when a web address is typed incorrectly or your browser has saved outdated information.
What to do:
- Double-check the website address.
- Clear your browser’s cache and cookies.
404 – Not Found
The website can’t find the page you’re looking for. It may have been removed, or the address is slightly off.
What to do:
- Make sure the address is typed correctly.
- Try going back to the site’s homepage and searching for the page.
403 – Forbidden
This means you don’t have permission to view the page. Sometimes websites block certain areas, require a login, or are restricted by location.
What to do:
- Double-check the address.
- Wait and try again later (especially if you made multiple login attempts).
- Contact the company if you believe you should have access.
500 – Internal Server Error
The problem is on the website’s side, not yours.
What to do:
- Try refreshing the page or come back later.
503 – Service Unavailable
The site is temporarily too busy or down for maintenance.
What to do:
- Wait a few minutes and try again.
504 – Gateway Timeout
The website’s servers are slow to respond or overloaded.
What to do:
- Refresh the page later.
Other less common errors
401 – Unauthorized
The page requires a login or password. Double-check your login info.
408 – Request Timeout
The site didn’t respond quickly enough. Try reloading.
501 – Not Implemented
The site itself may be broken. Report the issue if needed.
Failed DNS lookup
Your browser can’t find the site. Try restarting your router or checking the address.
Too many users / Too much traffic
The site is overloaded. Wait and try again later.
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