It can get really tedious over time, especially when a website fails to load repeatedly. It is very important to understand why the error occurred in the first place. In this article, we will be discussing the variations of 400 bad request errors.
Predominantly this error is related to a corrupt or invalid request from the client. Let’s have a closer look at the 4xx family of errors, what it means, and the steps that can be taken to fix the error.
Also read about 404 Not Found Error and 503 Service Unavailable Error.
What is a 400 Bad Request Error?
The 400 Bad Request error, also commonly known as the 400 error or HTTP error 400 is a generic client error, that occurs at the server end. The 400 error is returned when the server fails to determine, which HTTP status code category the error falls into.
According to the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the 400 Bad Request error occurs when the server is unable to process the request due to client error. Some of the most common errors from the client end include malformed request syntax, deceptive request routing, invalid message framing, and more.
How to Fix a 400 Bad Request Error?
Down below is a detailed list of all the various ways you can diagnose and fix the 400 Bad Request error:
1. Double Check the Submitted URL
One of the common reasons you might come across the 400 Bad Request error is due to the fault in the URL string itself. While typing the URL manually in the browser, it is very common to include unwanted characters.
So make sure to double-check the domain name and specific page you are trying to access. Try checking, whether the name is spelt and typed correctly. Also, try using a different browser altogether.
2. Clear Browser Cache
Browser caches are defined as locally stored website data, that are used to load websites faster. A corrupt file can often result in 400 Bad Request errors. One of the easiest fixes is to clear out the browser cache.
For Google Chrome, simply click on the three-dot icon from the top right corner. Go to More Tools > Clear Browsing Data.
In the Clear browsing data window, make sure to check the box including Cached images and files and click on Clear data.
Similarly, replicate the same steps for different web browsers as well. You can also refer to our dedicated article on how to Clear Cache in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge Browser.
3. Try Clearing Browser Cookies
If the cache is not sufficient enough, and you are still encountering the 400 Bad Gateway error, try clearing browser cookies as well. Oftentimes, a single website can store dozens of cookies. In case one of them becomes corrupt or expires, it will trigger the 400 error.
In Google Chrome, go to More Tools > Clear browsing data. From the window, make sure to tick the Cookies and other site data. For the data range, select All time to delete your current website cookies. Once you cleared the browser cookies, try reloading the website once again.
4. Upload Smaller File Size
There are instances where you might come across the 400 Bad Gateway error while trying to upload a file. This often occurs when the file size exceeds the server’s file upload limit. Try testing it out while uploading a smaller file.
In case this works out, chances are the initial file size was too large. Try reducing the file size prior to uploading it. Depending on the file size, the limit varies. There are several online resources to reduce file size.
5. Clear Out DNS Cache
One of the most common reasons why the 400 Bad Request Error occurs is due to outdated local DNS lookup data. Often, this data is not stored by the web browser but by the operating system itself.
Here’s how you can clear the DNS cache on Windows:
Step 1: Open the command prompt from the Windows start menu. Right-click to select ‘Run as administrator.’
Step 2: Type in the following command and hit enter.
ipconfig /flushdns
It returns the confirmation that the DNS cache has been successfully cleared out.
6. Deactivate Browser Extension
It is a no-brainer that installing certain browser extensions can corrupt the website’s cookies. Try to temporarily disable each extension to check whether the 400 Bad Request error still pertains or not.
Make sure you disable the extensions individually. In case you have exhausted every other option, it’s worth giving it a shot.
7. Troubleshoot Your Internet Connectivity
In case you encounter the 400 Bad Gateway Error in every single website, the underlying issue lies within your internet connectivity. Try troubleshooting your connectivity to ensure everything is configured correctly.
8. Contact the Website Owner
Last but not least, the 400 Bad Request error might have nothing to do with your end but is something the website owner needs to address. So, try contacting the owner, via their social media handles and explaining the problem you are encountering.
Read: What is 403 Forbidden Error and How to Fix It
400 Bad Request Error – FAQs
1. What is a 500 error code?
The 500 Internal Server Error suggests there is an error within the website’s server. Try to clear the cache and delete cookies to fix the 500 code error. Read more – How to fix 500 Internal Server Error.
2. How to fix 400 error codes in a smart TV?
Smart TV has restricted options when it comes to troubleshooting 400 error codes. In case the error occurs while watching videos, try reloading the video. Accordingly, clear the app cache from your TV settings. If the error still pertains, try to reboot your smart TV altogether.
The Bottom Line
For the majority of the time, if you are facing a 400 Bad Request Error, it is a client-side error. Make sure to perform the steps mentioned above, and you can fix the issue accordingly.
All the solutions outlined are easy to understand even with minimum technical knowledge. Your website should be up and running in no time. Let us know in the comment section below, which error message we should cover next.
