Uptime.com Blog

Common HTTP Errors Explained

A status code is a three-digit number that indicates whether a specific HTTP request has been successfully completed. The first digit in this code defines the class of the code. For example, status codes that begin with the number “4” indicate an error on the client-side, while those that begin with the number “5” indicate an error on the server-side.

Here is a list of four commonly used error codes explained.

404 Not Found

Probably the most common status code, 404 Not Found indicates that the requested resource is no longer available, and gives no details as to whether the condition is temporary or permanent. This error may occur due to a broken link, mistyped URL, or deleted web page.

403 Forbidden

This status code signals that the client does not have access rights to the content; therefore the server is refusing the request. This error can occur if a person tries to access a forbidden directory on a website, for example.

500 Internal Server Error

This status code is a generic error message given when no other error code is suitable. In this instance, the server is uncertain of how to handle the error.

504 Gateway Timeout

This status code is given when the server is acting as a gateway or proxy and cannot get a valid response in time.

If you own a website, you definitely want to be aware of an error on your website before your online customers stumble upon it. A third-party website monitoring company like Uptime can check your website for errors at one-minute intervals 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. If downtime is detected, you will be notified immediately via email, text, or push notification, allowing you to remedy the problem as soon as possible – hopefully before your site visitors even notice there was ever an issue in the first place.

Michael Esposito