How Do You Fix WordPress 401 Error Code?

Have you ever been denied entry to a place with the "Restricted Entry" sign? This is your situation or mine when we try to enter a private or restricted website, which requires us to have specific authentic credentials, like an entry pass in a carnival or any other place. 

401 Error Code in WordPress is an unsuccessful authentication, where due to some issue from the visitor's side, the viewer cannot connect with that particular website.

Definition of WordPress 401 Error Code

Let's consider the full-fledged definition of WordPress 401 Error Code to be an authentication error. It will appear on your computer page when you try to enter any private website protected by solid passwords without customer protection details. 

This 401 Error code is called an HTTP Status Code. It denies entry to any password-protected website without requiring a custom password for the visitor to enter that website or webpage. 

Signs showing unauthenticated service connection- 

• HTTP user error 

• Access Denied 
• Error 401 – Unauthorized
• 401 Error Code 
• Not Authorized 
• Authentication Required 

A pop-up box appears on the computer screen when you try accessing a protected or restricted website or webpage. 

Cause of WordPress 401 Error Code?

By now, we know what WordPress 401 error means and how to identify it, but do you know the reason behind its occurrence? Why does it happen when your work stops mid-way? It is frustrating when you think, yes, the solution is just a click away, but it gets further away from you!! 

To eliminate any such issue coming your way or anyone else's way, you can perform specific steps to check the reason behind the 401 error code and resume your work.

1. Check your browser cookies or cache files 

• Sometimes, negligence in clearing out overloaded cookies or cache files in the system is why you cannot enter a particular site, even if it is your website or webpage. This happens because of outdated browser cookies and cache files, making it difficult to join any specific site. 

2. Ensure Plugin Compatibility

• In this, one should check their plugin compatibility, as it helps ensure that your firewalls are up to the mark and allow a safe connection because it usually creates problems in login attempts. This is caused due to plugin incompatibility. 

3. Incorrect URL or an obsolete link

• When working, try to ensure that the URL entered is correct because even the slightest mistake can prevent entry on the page. An error code from WordPress 401 can also occur due to an outdated link. 

4. Invalid Login Credentials 

• When logging into any website, you use specific details. However, when you use those protected login credentials, you might be unable to enter them because you are entering the wrong information. If you ignore this, it can even freeze your account sometimes. 

Knowing the reasons behind its unavailability, you must resolve the issue soon; otherwise, it can threaten your network. 

To overcome the problem, read the below steps to resolve the Fix WordPress 401 Error Code. 

How to Fix WordPress 401 Error Code? 

To solve any problem, specific solutions must be implemented to finish the problem as soon as possible so you can resume your work effortlessly and efficiently.

1. Clear out cache files 

• Browser cookies and cache files usually prevent unnecessary loading when opening a website. However, storing them in bulk breaks your secured network, causing work disturbance. 

• Detecting files or browser cookies in your system can cause the WordPress 401 Error Code in your network system. To eliminate any such reason affecting your work, you are advised to delete them from your network system so that the network can again work relentlessly. 

2. Incorrect or mistake in URL 

• Often, people face error codes during work, such as improper URLs or any mistake made in entering URLs. However, it can also be possible that the URL used is outdated or the website it belongs to is no longer functioning.

• Due to this, one of the easiest ways to fix the 401 error code is to ensure you have double-checked your URL, which you use to access any other website on the internet.  

3. Check on your Plugins 

• When stuck and the first two solutions are out of use, try checking on the plugins, as it will help you restore your network. 

• But here, instead of checking, you might need to deactivate your WordPress Plugins in some cases. It will help you revive the site to resume work since the plugins can easily lock down your login connection, inhibiting your entry into that site. 

These are prominent and more accessible ways to tackle the WordPress 401 Error Code and restart your work. 

Conclusion 

It is important to know whose connection is at fault sometimes because when we think that the visiting site is at fault at that time, the visitor's connection is at fault. To minimize that, you must adapt to a habit of overlooking cautious elements, like URL issues, outdated cookies, and cache files. Faulty Plugins, etc.