Understanding HTTP Errors: Client & Server Errors
Error Codes
- 4xx = Client-side error → Usually fixable by patrons.
- 5xx = Server-side error → Usually requires reporting to AskTech.
General Troubleshooting Tips
- Try a different browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox)
- Use incognito/private mode to bypass cached sessions
- Clear your browser’s cookies and cache
- Restart the computer or device
- Check your internet connection
- If the error persists, report to AskTech
Client Errors (4xx)
| Code |
Meaning |
How to Fix |
| 400 – Bad Request |
The server couldn’t understand the request due to malformed syntax or invalid input. |
Check for typos in the URL. Clear browser cookies and cache. |
| 401 – Unauthorized |
The server could verify the patron's authentication credentials (usually, their IP is not recognized). |
Report to AskTech. |
| 403 – Forbidden |
The server understood the request, but access is restricted to the patron. |
Report to AskTech. We will verify whether the patron has the proper authentication credentials. |
| 404 – Not Found |
The server couldn’t find the requested URL. This often happens with broken or mistyped links. |
Double-check the URL for typos. Report to AskTech. |
| 408 – Request Timeout |
The server took too long to respond and closed the connection. |
Check the internet connection. Reload the page or try again later. |
| 429 – Too Many Requests |
The patron has sent too many requests to the server in a short time. |
Wait a few minutes before retrying. |
Server Errors (5xx)
| Code |
Meaning |
How to Fix |
| 500 – Internal Server Error |
The server encountered an unexpected error and couldn’t process the request. |
Clear cookies and cache. If the issue persists, report to AskTech. |
| 502 – Bad Gateway |
The server received an invalid response from another server it accessed. |
Refresh the page, try a new session, and clear cookies/cache. If the issue continues, report to AskTech. |
| 503 – Service Unavailable |
The server is currently unavailable (e.g., overloaded or under maintenance). |
Try again later. If persistent, report to AskTech. |
| 504 – Gateway Timeout |
The server didn’t receive a timely response from another server. |
Retry after a few minutes. If the problem continues, report to AskTech. |
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