Whether the website is yours or someone else’s, it is always inconvenient to try to visit it and get faced with an error page. The lack of information a 401 error code provides for identifying and fixing the problem is part of what makes it so annoying, as is the case with many HTTP response codes. The 401 status code is a very typical problem that can occur with any browser. Most of the time, this issue is rather easy to solve. You must thus be aware of what is 401 error and how to resolve it using simple techniques.
The good news is that fixing response 401 error codes is frequently simple. In fact, you could potentially resolve the issue on your own after you’ve located its origin. To fix the issue, you might possibly get in touch with a WordPress specialist or the customer service department of your host.
Keep reading and exploring to learn 401 error meaning and how to fix 401 error in 2026 with simple methods.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- A 401 error indicates that access was refused by the server due to missing, inaccurate, or expired login credentials.
- Incorrect URLs, restricted pages, plugin incompatibilities, and out-of-date browser cache or cookies are common reasons.
- The majority of 401 problems may be resolved by verifying login credentials, emptying the browser’s cache, turning off plugins, or adjusting page permissions.
- Recurring 401 Unauthorized errors may be avoided with regular website maintenance and safe authentication settings.
What is 401 Error?
Error code 401 is basically an HTTP status code that indicates that, as a result of incorrect authentication, your client (or browser) lacks the necessary authorization to access a certain online resource or webpage.
When your web browser attempts to access a requested resource but is unable to provide the correct credentials, this standard response code may also appear.
A simple web login does not result in the 401 error. For instance, you will be alerted that the password or username is incorrect if you attempt to log in to any program (such as Facebook, Gmail, etc.) and input inaccurate information.
However, providing the wrong credentials may result in a 401 error rather than a warning that the credentials are incorrect for tighter web pages, such as admin panels or APIs, where sensitive or important data is kept. It’s an important part in understanding what is 401 error.
Your web browser will show an error message when you encounter this issue. The 401 error has several titles on different systems. Examples of what you could see are as follows:
- 401 authorization required
- 401 unauthorized error
- Error 401 unauthorized
- HTTP error 401 – unauthorized
- HTTP 401
- Access denied
Here, the error code—rather than the variations in the surrounding text—is the most important factor. No matter what your web browser displays, the error code 401 tells you the problems you’re facing. It’s also the foundation of your solution.
What Results in a 401 Error Code?
You can identify a client-side (or browser-side) error if you come across an error code in the 400 range. Even if your browser could be the source of the error, we’ll delve into this further later.
Restricted resources, like password-protected pages on your WordPress website, are the source of 401 errors. Therefore, it’s reasonable to believe that the authentication credentials are the root of the issue.
Outdated Cookies And Browser Cache
One of the most frequent causes of a 401 error is that your browser’s cookies and cache are outdated, which stops the permission from being processed. The server will deny the request if your browser is using invalid authentication credentials or none at all.
Incompatibility Of Plugins
Other times, a plugin problem or incompatibility is the reason for this error. For instance, to safeguard the page, a firewall or WordPress security plugins may interpret your attempt to log in as harmful activity and produce a 401 error.
An Out-Of-Date Link Or An Incorrect URL
It’s also conceivable that a little error is the root of the issue. Incorrectly entered URLs and out-of-date links are common offenders in this category. Let’s discuss how to fix this error in understanding what is 401 error in 2026.
How To Fix 401 Error? (5 Easy Methods)
Now we will discuss how to fix 401 error code with five easy methods you can apply. These steps will help you rapidly fix the error code 401 to restore secure website access in 2025.
1. Look For Errors in the URL
Make sure you entered the right URL to start with the simplest possible solution. This may seem straightforward. However, if the URL was typed incorrectly, 401 errors may occasionally show up.
It’s also possible that the URL you clicked on to access the site in issue is incorrect. For instance, it may be out-of-date or point to a page that is no longer accessible (and no redirects are in place).
It is thus worthwhile to verify the URL you are using. Make sure you spelled everything correctly if you entered it yourself. Verify that the page you’re attempting to reach is the one you clicked on if you clicked on a link (or try visiting that page directly through the website). However, it is an important step in understanding what is 401 error.
Also Read: Error Code 520: Expert Advice To Resolve And Prevent It
2. Empty The Cache in Your Browser
By speeding up site loads, your browser’s cache is intended to enhance your online experience. Unfortunately, it can occasionally result in unwelcome disruptions as well.
As previously stated, out-of-date or inaccurate cache data or cookies are frequently the source of the 401 error. Therefore, clearing your browser’s cache is the next step if you don’t see any problems with the page’s URL.
This will remove any erroneous data that may be interfering with the authentication process that is locally saved in your browser for safe web browsing. In a similar vein, the cookies in your browser may have authentication information that needs to be updated.
If you use Google Chrome, you may accomplish this by selecting Settings after clicking the menu button in the upper-right corner of the browser. Click on Clear browsing data right under the Privacy and security section:
It will open a new window. Check all the options under the tab before choosing Delete data:
3. Turn off Page Passwords
This error number can occasionally be fixed by turning off password security for specific pages on your website. If you have intermediate or expert WordPress file handling skills, you can alter your .htaccess and .htpasswd files.
To turn off password security while understanding what is 401 error:
- Access the file manager by logging into the control panel of your web hosting provider.
- Locate the password-protected directory and open it.
- Your WordPress website creates a .htaccess file when you enable password security. This directory could include it.
- Make a backup of the file in case you need it later.
- After that, remove the directory’s .htaccess
- Locate the hidden .htpasswd file, make a backup, then remove it.
Also Read: How To Fix 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress: Step by Step Guide
4. Turn off Your WordPress Plugins
Your web browser may not become the cause of your 401 error. It’s also likely that one or more plugins are to blame if you’re experiencing problems accessing your WordPress website.
Certain plugins, particularly those with a security focus, are set up to display a 401 error when they detect unusual login behavior that may point to an attack. Others may simply be experiencing compatibility errors. Therefore, it’s a smart idea to deactivate each of your WordPress plugins and see if it addresses the issue.
You can use bulk actions on the Temok dashboard or navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins on your WordPress dashboard to deactivate all of your plugins at once.
Click Apply after selecting Deactivate from the Bulk Actions option, after checking the box at the top to select all.
Try refreshing the page that caused the 401 error after that to see if it fixes the problem. If it has, you can identify which plugin is causing the issue by manually activating each one at a time.
Then you may delete that plugin, replace it with a new one, or contact its creator for assistance. However, it is one of the best steps you can do to fix the 401 error code in understanding what is 401 error in 2026.
5. Flush Your DNS
You may also try flushing your Domain Name Server (DNS) to fix the 401 error. Even though this is an uncommon problem, it could be a contributing factor, so if the previous two fixes don’t work, it’s worth trying.
Click the Start button in your Windows and enter cmd into the search box to accomplish this. Press Enter to launch the Command Prompt. After copying and pasting the ipconfig/flushdns command, press Enter once more:
To accomplish this on a Mac, navigate to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal:
Enter sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder and hit Enter. To check if the 401 status error has been fixed, you may then try refreshing the site you were attempting to access.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How Do I Fix Error Code 401?
In order to resolve a 401 Unauthorized error, look for typos in the URL and try logging in again. If this doesn’t work, delete your browser’s cache and cookies because outdated information may interfere with authentication.
What Is The Difference Between 401 And 403 Error?
An error 401 denotes an incorrect or absent authentication. However, even with legitimate authentication, 403 indicates a lack of authorization.
What Does A 401 Error Mean?
The 401 Unauthorized error occurs when the server receives a request that includes authentication credentials, and because of them, the server will not entertain it and return this status code.
Are 401 Errors A Security Risk?
No, a 401 error isn’t intrinsically dangerous; rather, it’s a common security feature that indicates that login credentials are missing or incorrect. It’s like a digital bouncer stating, “You need a key!”
Conclusion
Error 401 response codes can be annoying, but they can be avoided and effectively fixed with regular website maintenance. Selecting a reputable hosting company guarantees that your website will be up to date, safe, and optimized for seamless authentication procedures. If you understand the cause of a 401 error meaning code, and how to repair it, it is usually rather simple. You could even take preventative action to stop future issues. In this blog, we’ve discussed what is 401 error and how to fix it in 5 simple methods.