Have you ever been interrupted online while surfing the internet with the annoying 403 error? This error can prevent you from getting to specific pages on your website or your WordPress admin area. And it can get pretty annoying, like I said.

But be at ease!

You’ve come to the right place because this simple guide covers every detail regarding 403 errors on WordPress websites.

What Is the 403 Forbidden Error in WordPress?

When you see the 403 Forbidden error, it indicates that your server thinks you do not have the necessary authorization to view that specific page. Usually, this is caused by a permissions problem with the file, but it could also be caused by another hosting or authentication issue.

There are various situations in which this error could appear. As an instance:

• On the WordPress login page or wp-admin, you may see a 403 Forbidden error.
• 403 Forbidden: Error while installing WordPress.
• You may encounter a 403 Forbidden error on any page within your WordPress website.

How To Fix 403 Forbidden Error In WordPress?

Check The URL And (Hard) Refresh

Before delving further, let us assume you use a private Wi-Fi network. It’s crucial to remember that different firewall rules are frequently in place on public networks, which might prevent you from viewing your website.

Now that we’ve addressed our Wi-Fi network disclaimers let’s get started.

Make sure the URL you are typing into your web browser points to the correct website and page by double-checking it first.

The 403 error may occasionally be caused by a small typo in the web address or a broken link on your website that directs users to an invalid page.

Just refresh the page if the URL appears correct and there are no format, structure, or spelling issues.

Clear Browser Cache

Website errors can be related to either client-side (problems relating to the user’s device, browser, or server) or server-side (problems involving the website, server, or configuration).

One client-side issue that can result in several unforeseen problems is the cache in your browser.

Thankfully, it’s simple to fix. Simply clear the cache to make your browser fully fetch the content from the pages you are trying to view.

Deactivate Your Plugins

As previously indicated, a malfunctioning plugin may also be the source of the 403 Forbidden error. You’ll need to deactivate and then reactivate each plugin separately to determine if this is true.

Log in to your website using FileZilla or your hosting account’s file manager. Next, find the plugins folder by opening the folder named wp-content in the root directory of your WordPress website. Select Rename with a right-click on the plugins folder.

Next, rename the folder—for instance, to “plugins_test.” All of your plugins will be automatically deactivated as a result.

If, after renaming the folder, you can access your website, then a malfunctioning plugin was the source of the 403 Forbidden error. Finding out which one it is should be your next task.

First, rename the plugins folder back to “plugins” in the root directory of your website. Next, go to your WordPress dashboard’s Plugins page and turn on each plugin individually. Continue doing this until the error can be replicated.

After locating the problematic plugin, you have two options: uninstall it or contact the creator for assistance.

Disconnect from VPN

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are excellent for hiding your location and safeguarding your online privacy. They also alter your IP address because they send your internet activity through a site different from where you are.

Although this is beneficial for privacy, on some websites, it may cause problems with access and permissions.

Try turning off your VPN if you’re using one, then follow the instructions again.

Clear Browser Cookies

Sometimes, clearing browser cookies can work as well. If simply clearing the browser cache does not solve the problem, you can then go on to delete the cookies.

 Here is how you can do it with Google Chrome.

Go to Settings>> Advanced>> Privacy and Security

Select the “Site Settings” option.

In the Site Settings screen, click on “Cookies.”

The Cookies screen will appear. Select “See all cookies and site data.

Once you click the option, a list of sites will appear. Select your site and delete cookies.

After deleting cookies, restart your browser and see if the error is resolved.

Change File Permissions

Each WordPress file has unique access permissions on the server hosting your website. Who can view and alter its contents is controlled by these settings. If the permissions on these files are incorrect, your server will prevent you from accessing them.

As discussed in the previous section, you can use a file manager app or a S/FTP client to access your website. After that, you’ll need to use the directory browsing window to locate your “public_html” folder or any other folder that holds your website’s files.

Select File Permissions with a right-click on it after that.

Find the Numeric field in the pop-up window and type “755” or “750” in the value box. Next, choose “Apply to directories only” and “Recurse into subdirectories,” then press “OK.”

You have so far given your directories the appropriate folder permissions. This is what you’ll now do with your files.

Click on your public_html folder with a right-click and choose File Attributes to get started. You must enter “644” in the Numeric value field this time. Next, select Apply to files only, choose Recurse into subdirectories, and click OK.

Locate the wp-config.php file in your root directory, then right-click and choose File permissions. After that, click OK after entering “440” as the numeric value.

All WordPress files and folders should now have the appropriate permissions. After completing the actions above, return to your website and attempt to recreate the 403 Forbidden error. You don’t need to do anything more if your website functions correctly.

However, if the issue persists, don’t be alarmed. There are a couple more fixes to attempt.

Check if the htaccess file is corrupt.

A corrupted .htaccess file is another cause of a 403 forbidden WordPress error. A bad .htaccess file can be quickly corrected using any file transfer protocol manager.

First, use an FTP client to log into your server.

Open the .htaccess file from the public_html directory.

To ensure safety, right-click on the .htaccess file and download it.

After downloading the file, remove the.htaccess file by deleting it.

To see if the 403 error has been fixed, go to your browser and refresh the page.

Remember to upload the .htaccess file you downloaded earlier to your server.

Reach Out to Your Web Host

Lastly, ask for assistance if nothing else seems to be working.

The support staff at your website hosting provider should be able to offer more advice and suggestions for resolving this problem.

An issue with the DNS, a server configuration, malware, or other online attacks might occasionally bring it on.

Conclusion: Fix 403 Forbidden Error In WordPress

I sincerely hope you found this guide useful and that the shared fixes allowed you to resolve the “403 Forbidden Error.”

If you were following along while reading the guide, have you yet discovered the ideal solution to solve this issue?

For those experiencing similar problems, kindly share your go-to 403 forbidden fix with us in the comments section below. 

I wish you an error-free WordPress journey ahead!

FAQs: Fix 403 Forbidden Error In WordPress

Is the WordPress access denied error the same as the 403 error?

Yes, the 403 error is also known as the access denied error.

Will resetting permalinks resolve a 403 Forbidden error?

Resetting permalinks is a quick troubleshooting step that can sometimes resolve a 403 error related to URL structures. Visit Settings -> Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and click “Save Changes” to refresh the permalink structure.

What distinguishes 403 errors from 401 errors primarily?

When a user enters invalid or no credentials, a 401 error is raised. On the other hand, when a client has the right credentials but cannot access a resource, they receive a WordPress 403 permission denied error.

Can a poorly configured .htaccess file lead to a 403 error?

Absolutely. A wrong configuration in the .htaccess file can result in a 403 Forbidden error. Review the file for anomalies or revert to a default .htaccess file to see if the issue persists.

Is it possible that my hosting provider is causing the 403 error?

Yes, hosting configurations can sometimes lead to a 403 error. Contact your hosting support to check if server-side issues, such as mod_security rules or server misconfigurations, are causing the problem.