Have you ever tried to access a website and got an error? Surely on more occasions than you would have liked. One of the most common errors that you can find when surfing the Internet is error 400, a negative experience for both the user and the website.
In this article we will explain everything about error 400 and give you some effective solutions to fix it.
What is error 400
Error 400, also known as "Bad Request", is an HTTP status code that indicates that the request made by the client is incorrect or cannot be processed.
When a web server receives a request with syntax errors or missing information, it returns a response with status code 400.
This error can occur in several situations: when trying to access a web page, submitting data through a form or interacting with an API.
Causes of error 400
Some of the most common reasons why you will get a 400 error when surfing the Internet are:
Misspelled URL
If the URL contains impermissible characters, is incomplete or has an incorrect structure, the server will not be able to process it properly and will return status code 400.
For example:
https://listica.com/#quehacemos
If you visit the same URL with an additional "%", your browser will return an incorrect request 400 error.
https://listica.com/%#quehacemos
Corrupted or expired cookies
Cookies are small files that are stored in the user's browser and are used to track session-related information. So if the cookies associated with the requested page are corrupted or expired, the server may cause a 400 error.
Authentication problems
When authentication is required to access a page or resource, if the data provided is incorrect or insufficient, an error 400 may be generated. This occurs when the server cannot verify the user's identity and therefore cannot process the request.
Misconfigured redirects
If redirects have been configured incorrectly on the server, it is possible to get a 400 error. This can happen when trying to redirect to a non-existent page or when the redirect configuration is incorrect, which confuses the server and generates the error.
Cache problems
Sometimes, the browser cache can store old versions of a website. If you try to access a page using an outdated cached version, you are likely to get a 400 error. Clearing the browser cache can help to fix this problem.
File size too large
Some servers have a file size limit, so if a web site has a file that is too large, there is a chance that you will receive a 400 error code.
Conflicting browser extensions
In some cases, your browser extensions may interfere with the request and cause a 400 error.
How to solve it
If you have encountered error 400 when trying to access a website or interact with an application, there are several actions you can take to fix it.
Here are some effective solutions:
- Check that the URL is spelled correctly and contains no typos or invalid characters. Also confirm that you are using the proper protocol (HTTP or HTTPS) and that you have included all necessary subdomains or directories.
- Delete the cookies associated with the website that is showing you error 400. You can do this from your browser's privacy settings.
- Verify the data sent through a form or request, check that all required fields have been completed, that the data is in the correct format and that it does not exceed the limits set by the server.
- Clear your browser cache and make sure you are not viewing an outdated cached version of the web page. You can find this option in your browser settings.
- Check that the URL parameters are spelled accurately and are in the correct format.
- Restart the device you are using to access the Internet. This helps to reset any temporarily faulty settings or connections.
In short, error 400 can be disappointing when trying to access a website, and even more if your own website shows it. However, with the solutions mentioned above, it is possible to solve this problem.
If you have ever faced a frustrating case of error 400, you can tell us in the comments!
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