Most website errors fall into a small set of recurring codes. Knowing what each one actually means narrows down where to look for a fix.
404 Not Found
This means the server couldn't find the page you requested at that address. It's the most common error and usually one of the simplest to fix.
- Wrong or changed URL: The page may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Check that the link or address is correct.
- Missing redirect: If you recently changed a page's URL or restructured your site, old links will 404 unless you set up a redirect from the old address to the new one.
- File not uploaded: For custom-built sites, confirm the file actually exists in the right folder via File Manager or FTP.
500 Internal Server Error
This is a general error meaning something went wrong on the server while processing the request, without specifying exactly what. Common causes include:
- A corrupted or misconfigured .htaccess file: Try renaming it temporarily (e.g. to .htaccess_old) via File Manager and reloading the site. If the error disappears, the original file had a faulty rule.
- A plugin or theme conflict on CMS platforms like WordPress, often after an update. Disabling recently added plugins can help isolate the cause.
- Incorrect file permissions on scripts or folders.
- A PHP error in custom code, such as a fatal error introduced by a recent code change.
Checking your hosting account's error logs (available in both cPanel and DirectAdmin) usually points to the specific cause rather than the generic message alone.
403 Forbidden
This means the server understood the request but is refusing to allow it. Typical causes:
- Incorrect file or folder permissions: Web files generally need permissions of 644 and folders 755. Overly restrictive permissions block access even for legitimate requests.
- Missing index file: If a folder has no index.html or index.php and directory listing is disabled, visiting that folder directly returns a 403.
- IP or hotlink blocking rules: If you or a previous administrator set up IP blacklisting or hotlink protection, it can unintentionally block legitimate visitors. Check your control panel's security settings for active rules.
Before making changes to fix an error, back up the file or setting you're about to modify (like .htaccess), so you can revert quickly if the change doesn't help.
Still Stuck?
If the cause isn't obvious from the steps above, contact support with the exact error message, the page URL where it occurs, and roughly when it started. That's usually enough to trace it through your account's logs.