WordPress 401 Error Resolution Manual

This manual is designed to provide comprehensive guidance on diagnosing and resolving the 401 Unauthorized Error on WordPress websites. We aim to demystify this common issue and empower you with the knowledge and techniques necessary to fix it.

2. Understanding the 401 Error

The 401 Unauthorized Error is an HTTP status code indicating an unauthenticated or unverified request. In essence, you’re trying to access a webpage that requires valid login credentials. This error may arise due to:

1. Incorrect URLs
2. Invalid login details
3. Conflict-causing plugins
4. Security firewall issues
5. DNS errors

3. Resolving the 401 Error

Before you begin, ensure to have a complete backup of your website. Then, you may proceed with the following troubleshooting steps:

Step 1: Verify the URL and Login Credentials

• Ensure the URL you’re trying to access is correct and free from typos.
• Confirm that there haven’t been any changes to the login URL.

Step 2: Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

• Delete your browser’s cache and cookies to remove any stored, invalid login information.

Step 3: Deactivate WordPress Plugins

• Deactivate all WordPress plugins.
• Reactivate them one at a time, checking for the 401 error after each activation. If a specific plugin triggers the error, contact the plugin’s support team.

Step 4: Flush DNS

For Windows:

1. Log in to your computer as an admin.
2. Press Win + R, type "CMD", and hit Enter to open the command prompt.
3. Enter the following command and press Enter: ipconfig /flushdns

For macOS:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Enter the following command and press Enter: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Step 5: Full Page Reload

• To ensure all elements are reloaded from the server, use Ctrl + F5 (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + R (macOS).

Step 6: Be Patient

• If your IP has been temporarily blocked due to suspicious activity, wait until the lock-down period ends and try again.
• If you encounter the 401 error while trying to access someone else’s site, they may be performing maintenance. Wait and retry after some time.

4. Conclusion

Through the steps in this manual, you should be able to diagnose and resolve the 401 Unauthorized Error on your WordPress site. If the issue persists, consider seeking help from friends, family, or professional support teams. Always remember to maintain a backup before performing any changes to your site.