What is HTTP 302 Status Code & How to Fix it

You must have heard about HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). Whenever you access a website, the first thing you see in the URL is HTTP, for instance, http://www.abc.com. So what is it? 

HTTP is a client-server protocol which means that a client (mostly a web browser) initiates a request, and a server responds to it. The users access and interact with the resources using HTTP. 

Further, there are circumstances where the web server provides the status of a request in the form of a 3-digit code. This is what we term an HTTP status code.  You must have encountered a very common status code, ‘302’. It typically redirects you to a new URL. 

In this article, we will discuss the HTTP code 302 and ways to fix it. So, Let’s begin!

What is a Status Code?

A status code is a 3-digit code sent by the server to the web client (web browser) upon a request for a specific resource. It basically describes the current status of a request. For more clarity, here is an explanation: 

There are multiple types of status codes, but the most common ones range from 2xx, 3xx, 4xx, to 5xx. 

• 200 OK: indicates that the request was successful and the server is responding.
• 302 Found: this source code implies that the resource requested is moved to a new location temporarily. 
• 404 Not Found: server is unable to fetch the requested resource.
• 500 Internal Server Error: an unexpected error occurred.

What is the Significance of a Status Code?

A status code represents whether the client’s request to the server for a particular resource is successful. Here are some core reasons for the importance of a status code:

• It is an excellent indicator for developers to trace and fix bugs, conduct security auditing, identify potential security threats, and more. 
• It is used to maintain software applications. In case of any bug or error, developers require the source code to make the necessary modifications. 
• Developers can easily collaborate with each other working on the same project with the help of a status code.
• Programmers can also make changes to an application, i.e., customizing it at a later stage.  
• Status code is also reusable. Developers can save time and effort by building on the existing code rather than coding from scratch.

What is HTTP 302 Status Code?

The HTTP 302 status code indicates that the requested resource by the user is shifted to a new location (URI: Uniform Resource Identifier) temporarily, with the intention of coming back to the original source after some time. The developers often use the 302 status code in case of website maintenance, testing, or localization. 

Additionally, whenever the browser receives the 302 error, it automatically sends a new request mentioned in the Location header to a new location. Due to this, the user doesn’t have to type the new URL in the search bar. 

As far as a developer is concerned, they can implement a 302 redirect by using the following code snippet:

header("HTTP/1.1 302 Found"); 
header("Location: http://test.com/new-page.html");

5 Ways to Fix 302 Status Code Error

We can not necessarily term the 302 status code as an error, as it is a mere redirection to a new location. However, if there are issues in redirection or otherwise, here are some ways you can fix it:

1. Check your Redirects

The first thing you must check is whether your redirect is valid or not. In case of an invalid URL, the browser will take you to an incorrect location and confuse you. Further, you must also check for a redirect loop in your code. In this case, the source code redirects the user to the same page. To resolve this, developers just make the appropriate changes in their code. The users may encounter the below-mentioned snippet:

ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error page

Moreover, if your location has been moved permanently to a new one, you must update the destination URL. The developers should update the status code from 302 to 301, indicating a permanent relocation. 

Also Read: What is HTTP 304 Status Code & How to Fix It

2. Try a Different Browser

At times, users can face this error in one web browser and not in the other. The core reason behind this can be caches or cookies. Try clearing them out before opening your desired link on the browser. 

Sometimes, outdated caches can cause this error. It means your browser may have stored an old webpage version. As a matter of fact, when you clear the cache and cookies, it will help the browser to update the latest version of your webpage, which can help to resolve 302! 

To clear the caches and cookies in the Google browser, follow these steps:

• Go to the top right corner of the browser. 
• Click on Settings. 
• Go to the Privacy and Security option. 
• Click on ‘Clear browsing data’. 
• Go to the ‘Time range’ drop-down menu and click ‘All time’. 
• Tick the boxes with the title ‘Cookies and other site data’ and ‘Cached images and files’. 
• Click ‘Clear data’.

You can also read our articles on How to Clear Cache and How to clear Cookies.

3. Check Server Configuration 

Sometimes, a problem with the server misconfiguration prompts it to send incorrect response codes. Follow the below steps to check it:

• Log into your server using either the SSH (Secure Shell) or the method provided by your hosting service provider. 
• Find the server configuration files. The location is different for different servers. However, if you use Apache, you can find the files in /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf or /etc/apache2/apache2.conf
• Now go to the redirection settings and see if something is prompting the 302 status code response. Mostly the issue can be where the developer has missed setting the updated location. 
• Cross-check whether the right web pages are showing the 302 response. 
• If you make any changes, do not forget to update the server to implement the changes. 

These steps can help you find the root cause of the 302 response if it is associated with server configuration files. 

4. Inspect the Redirection Loop

When the webpage redirects you to the same page, you must check the redirection loop settings. It may be an error in the code or possibly a plug-in. Here are some checks you must go on with:

• Do check the .htaccess file to check the redirection settings. (For Apache). 
• If you are using a CMS, thoroughly check the plug-in or script that may be causing the redirection loop. If you find one, immediately disable it and check your web page again.

After any modification, ensure to test the website to check if the problem still persists. 

5. Contact the Hosting Provider/Website Owner

If all the above steps do not help, try contacting the website owner or hosting provider. There are multiple technicalities that they can handle better from their end. They check diligently and sort out the issue for you. 

If you are a user and visit a website and face this response, you must contact authorities and send an email explaining the issue. 

Recommended: What is HTTP 304 Status Code & How to Fix It

Conclusion 

As you can see, the 302 status code is a simple redirection to a new location by the web browser. However, other issues may cause this status code to appear on your screen, such as faulty redirection settings, untimely updates, and more. I have mentioned a few solutions to help you overcome this problem. 

Feel free to write down your queries in the comments section, and I shall get back to you at the earliest! Good luck!