A Cloudflare 403 forbidden error can be frustrating. Updates made by your host or changes to your own settings often cause it.
Try these possible fixes for 403 forbidden errors on your site.
What is Error 403 Forbidden Cloudflare-Nginx?
403 Cloudflare is an error that occurs when a client sends a request the origin is unable to authorize or process. The forbidden-error is an HTTP status code showing denied permissions.
The cause of the Cloudflare error determines which fix to try on your site.
Causes of 403 Forbidden Cloudflare Error?
The following issues are typically the only reasons Cloudflare serves 4xx responses or Cloudflare access denied messages:
- Your request breaks a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule that applies to all Cloudflare domains.
- The request breaks a WAF rule for the specific zone you are trying to reach.
- An SSL connection uses a domain or subdomain without the correct SSL certificate.
An error message without Cloudflare’s usual branding likely comes from your own web server. Its access rules are usually responsible.
Top Reasons Why You May See the HTTP Status Code On Your Screen
- Empty website directory
- Permission/ ownership error in the rules you have set
- No index page
Contact your hosting provider in that case, as Cloudflare cannot access your server directly to fix it. Also check that your Cloudflare IPs are working correctly.
How To Fix Error 403 Forbidden Cloudflare
- Empty Website Directory
- No Index Page
- Permissions and Ownership
Once you know the cause, try the relevant fix below to get your site working again.
1. Empty Website Directory
Check that you uploaded your site’s contents to the correct directory.
- Plesk server: /var/www/vhosts/website.com/httpdocs/
- Connect with your FTP user, then open the httpdocs directory.
- Use your own domain name in place of website.com in the path.
2. For a cPanel server, use:/home/website/public_html/
- Connect through FTP and open the public_html directory.
- In this path, replace the website with your cPanel account username.
Note: Create this folder if your site does not already have it.
2. No Index Page
Name your website’s home page index.php or index.html, using the correct case. Uploading an index page to the public_html or httpdocs directory may fix the problem.
If your home page already has another name, such as log.html, try one of these options.
- If your home page uses log.html or another name, rename it to index.php or index.html.
- Use the index page to redirect visitors to your intended home page.
- Change the default page through the .htaccess file.
3. Permissions and Ownership
Incorrect permissions or ownership of your website’s files or folders can also cause this error.
Use the following permission configuration:
- Folders: 755
- Static Content: 644
- Dynamic Content: 700
Other Ways to Fix The 403 Forbidden Cloudflare Error
- The issue may be a temporary message due to the upgrade from free to a pro subscription. It is possible to receive the error 403 Cloudflare while replacing the free account certificate with the pro account on your site.
- The client DNS cache could be pointing to the origin server. Use a private browsing mode or switch your browser entirely.
- Try disabling Browser Integrity Check for the site.
- If the error only appears from certain countries, then check the origin server’s configuration for a country block.
- Suspend Cloudflare temporarily until you can fix the root cause of the problem. (To pause Cloudflare, navigate to your Cloudflare dashboard and select ‘Pause Cloudflare’ in the ‘Advanced Menu’)
- Visit the Cloudflare community for tips on how to fix 4xx errors; you may also reach out to the Cloudflare community for help from experts.
Try these additional steps only when the regular fixes have not resolved the Cloudflare 403 forbidden error.
Summary
Several problems can trigger a 4xx Cloudflare message and frustrate visitors. Match the causes described here with the relevant troubleshooting steps.
Follow the steps above to restore your site. Your hosting provider and Cloudflare support can also help you resolve the problem.
