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Easy fixes to bypass "access denied" errors
Encountering an "access denied on this server" message while trying to visit a site can be frustrating. This issue can stem from various sources, such as proxy, VPN, firewall, antivirus settings, browser issues, cached data, or even the website itself. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to troubleshoot and fix the "Access Denied" error effectively.
How to Fix the "Access Denied on This Server" Issue
There might be a software issue or the website could be temporarily down. To resolve it, try using a different browser, run a virus scan, verify your proxy settings, and disable your VPN or firewall. If the issue persists, clear your browser’s cached data or reset the browser settings to their defaults.
Instructions
Try switching to another browser.
Your web browser may be causing the issue. There could be a misconfiguration in your browser, or outdated cached data might be interfering with your access. To test if your browser is the problem, switch to a different one. If the error appears only in one browser, then the issue likely lies there. However, if multiple browsers are affected, the problem may be with your computer, network, or the website itself.
Test other websites.
Check whether the issue affects only one site or several. The error might not be related to your device, browser, or network. It could be a server-side issue, such as the website being down for maintenance or experiencing heavy traffic. Try accessing other sites to determine if the problem is specific to one site or related to your network or browser settings. If the website is the issue, you may need to wait until it’s fixed.
- You can also check sites like Downdetector or downforeveryoneorjustme.com to confirm if there are any major outages affecting the website.
Restart your browser.
A small issue with your browser could be the cause. If your browser is acting up due to a minor glitch, a simple restart may resolve it. Ensure that the browser is fully closed before reopening it to check if the problem persists.
Reboot your computer.
Your operating system might be experiencing a minor glitch. Often, restarting your computer can help fix small issues with your operating system. Power off your computer and turn it back on to see if the issue persists.
Perform an antivirus scan.
Your computer may be infected with malware. Malware can sometimes disrupt your internet connection or block it entirely. Ensure you have a trusted antivirus program running, and perform a thorough scan to check for any potential threats that could be affecting your system's performance.
Turn off your VPN.
Your VPN might be disrupting your connection settings. The website you're trying to access could have region-based restrictions or blocked IP addresses. Your VPN might be assigning an IP address from a restricted region. First, disable the VPN extension in your browser. If the issue persists, turn off the VPN software on your computer to check if that resolves the problem.
- For better security and fewer restrictions, consider using a premium paid VPN. Free VPN services often lack advanced security features and may not provide as many options. A premium VPN can offer a dedicated IP that is less likely to be flagged by websites.
Turn off your firewall.
Your firewall may be blocking your internet connection. If you're using a third-party firewall or have one set up on your router, you’ll need to disable it. To disable a router firewall, log into your router and turn off the firewall from the router's settings. The steps vary by router model. To disable the Windows Defender or Mac firewall, follow these steps:
-
Windows:
- Open the Start menu.
- Type Windows security in the search bar.
- Click Windows Security.
- Select Firewall & network protection.
- Choose a network type ("Domain network," "Private Network," "Public Network")
- Switch off the Microsoft Defender Firewall toggle.
- Repeat this for all network types.
-
Mac:
- Click the Apple logo in the top left.
- Go to System Settings.
- Click Network on the left menu.
- Select Firewall.
- Switch the firewall off.
Disable your antivirus program.
Your antivirus software might be blocking access. Sometimes, antivirus programs flag website scripts as unsafe, even when they are not. If you're confident that the site is secure, try temporarily disabling your antivirus software. For third-party antivirus programs, open the app and turn it off. To disable Windows Defender Antivirus, follow these steps:
- Open the Start menu.
- Search for Windows security.
- Select Windows Security.
- Click Virus & threat protection.
- Choose Manage settings.
- Toggle off "Real-time protection".
Clear the website's data.
Your browser might have outdated or corrupted cookies. If the issue is occurring on just a few websites, corrupted cookies may be the culprit. Here’s how to clear them from specific sites:
-
Google Chrome:
- Click the three-dot icon (⋮) in the top-right corner.
- Choose Settings.
- Select Privacy and security.
- Click Site settings.
- Click Third-party cookies.
- Select See all data and permissions.
- Click the trash icon next to the problematic site.
-
Firefox:
- Click the three-line icon (☰) in the top-right corner.
- Click History.
- Right-click the troublesome site.
- Select Forget this site.
-
Microsoft Edge:
- Click the three-dot icon (⋯) in the upper-right corner.
- Go to Settings.
- Click Cookies and site permissions.
- Select Manage and delete cookies and site data.
- Click See all cookies and site data.
- Click the drop-down next to the site and remove its cookies.
-
Safari:
- Click Safari in the top menu.
- Go to Settings.
- Select Privacy.
- Click Manage Website Data.
- Select the site and click Remove.
Reset your browser's settings.
Your browser settings may be blocking the connection. If an app or extension has altered your browser’s settings, resetting them can help. This will clear all cookies, site data, and restore default configurations. To reset your browser, follow these steps:
-
Chrome:
- Click the three dots (⋮) in the upper-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Click Reset Settings.
- Click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm by clicking Reset settings.
-
Firefox:
- Click the three lines (☰) in the upper-right corner.
- Click Help.
- Click More Troubleshooting Information.
- Click Refresh Firefox….
- Confirm by clicking Refresh Firefox.
-
Microsoft Edge:
- Click the three dots (⋯) in the upper-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Click Reset Settings.
- Click Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm by clicking Reset.
-
Safari:
- Click Safari.
- Go to Settings.
- Select the Advanced tab.
- Check the box for "Show developer menu".
- Click the Develop menu.
- Select Empty Caches.
Turn off your proxy settings.
Your proxy settings may be causing the issue. If you're facing connection problems, try disabling your proxy settings. Follow these steps for Windows:
-
Windows:
- Open the Start menu.
- Search for control panel.
- Click on Control Panel.
- Navigate to Network and Internet.
- Click Internet options.
- Go to the Connections tab.
- Click LAN Settings.
- Ensure that "Automatically detect settings" is enabled.
- Uncheck "Use proxy server for LAN".
- Click Apply.
-
Mac:
- Click the Apple icon in the top menu.
- Select System Settings.
- Go to Network.
- Click your network connection.
- Select Proxy.
- Make sure "Auto proxy discovery" is active.
- Disable both "Web proxy (HTTP)" and "Secure web proxy (HTTPS)."
Renew your IP address.
Your IP address might not be set up correctly. If your IP configuration is incorrect, it could prevent access to certain websites. You can renew your IP address by following these steps:
-
Windows:
- Open the Start menu.
- Type CMD.
- Click Command Prompt.
- Type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
- Then type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
- Next, type netsh winsock reset and hit Enter.
- Type netsh int ip reset and press Enter.
- Then type ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter.
- Finally, type ipconfig /registerdns and press Enter.
-
Mac:
- Click the Apple icon in the top menu.
- Select System Settings.
- Click Network.
- Choose your network connection.
- Click Details.
- Navigate to the TCP/IP tab.
- Click Renew DHCP Lease.
- Click Ok.
