407 Proxy Authentication Required

407 Proxy Authentication Required

The 407 Proxy Authentication Required error message is frustrating for any online business owner. We've compiled a list of the most common fixes that'll help you get back to work.

If you’re a business owner who works online, then you’ve probably seen this error before:

 

“407 Proxy Authentication Required.”

 

It’s a frustrating error message that doesn’t seem to indicate much about what it wants from the user.

 

But don’t worry! We’ve got you covered.

 

Here’s a list of the most common reasons for the 407 message, and how to fix it.

 

What Does Proxy Authentication Required Mean?

 

The 407 Proxy Authentication Required error code indicates that the server cannot complete the request because the client lacks appropriate authentication credentials for a proxy server that intercepts the request between the client and server. In other words, it means that the client must first authenticate itself with the proxy.

 

The client's request doesn't report a direct authentication problem; it simply reports that it needs to authenticate with a proxy server.

 

As with most HTTP response codes and code errors, this cause could be harder to diagnose or rectify.

 

Can Error Codes Hurt My Website?

 

Yes, all error codes can have a negative effect on your website if they are not resolved on time. 

 

Let's take the 404 error as an example. The more 404 pages you have on your site, the fewer time users will spend on the site. And the longer you have a broken link on your site, the more users will experience the error. This will negatively affect the user experience, which is vital for the success of your business. 

 

Server-side errors can also have a negative effect on your website. The 503 error for instance, is crucial for SEO. If you don't fix it soon, search engines will register it as a permanent issue and de-index the page. 

 

The most important step to take to avoid these types of errors is to ensure that your site is well maintained.

 

Is It a Server-Side or a Client-Side Error?

 

The 407 Proxy Authentication Required status code is one of the 50+ status codes that are used to represent the complex relationship between the client and the server. All status codes in the 4xx group are client-side errors, which means that something on the client-side of things is causing the issue. 

 

The 4xx category contains 20+ HTTP status codes, including:

  • 400 Bad Request
  • 401 Unauthorized Error
  • 403 Forbidden
  • 404 Not Found
  • 405 Method Not Allowed
  • 406 Not Acceptable Status Code
  • 410 Gone
  • 415 Unsupported Media Type
  • 422 Unprocessable Entity
  • 429 Too Many Requests 

The status codes in the 4xx group are different from the 5xx status codes. If the 4xx codes indicate something on the client-side of things is the problem, the 5xx status codes are server-side errors. 

 

Although in most cases, the cause for a 407 Proxy Authentication Required is due to the client, in some rare cases, the server could be the root cause of the error. The server may be misconfigured and handle requests improperly, which can result in a 407 status code.

 

What's the Difference Between 401 and 407?

 

The 407 Proxy Authentication Required is similar to 401 Unauthorized. A 401 Unauthorized Error is an HTTP status code that indicates that the server received an unverified request. 

 

The only difference is that authorization needs to be done by a proxy. In the case of a 407 error, the server is not reporting a direct authentication issue but is instead reporting that the client needs to authenticate with a proxy server.

 

How Do I Fix the 407 Proxy Authentication Required?

 

The first thing you should do is create a copy of the application onto a secondary server that isn't live or otherwise active. Backup should be placed on a secondary staging server that is not "live" or active – that is, if you want to prevent doing further damage to your website. Do a full backup of your application and database before you try to fix the issue and change the system. This gives you a clean test ground to test all potential fixes without damaging the security of your live application.

 

Troubleshooting Client-Side Issues

Double-Check Your URL

Here's a fact:

 

One of the most common reasons for a 407 error is an incorrect URL typed in your browser's address bar. For example, let's say you want to go to the following page: example.com/index.html. 

 

Instead of typing that address, you entered the following: example.com/index

 

It's a small error but it can result in a 407 error message. 

 

With that said, the first thing you want to do is check the URL to make sure it is correct before trying any other steps listed below.

Rollback Recent Upgrades

Another common reason for a 407 error message is a recent upgrade or installation you made to your CRM. If you recently did an upgrade, consider rolling back to a previous version in order to regain control over your site.

Uninstall New Extensions, Modules, or Plugins

Extensions, modules, and plugins are all well-known for improving capabilities and features beyond what it’s normally capable of out-of-box. 

 

But did you know that these add-ons can sometimes take full control over a system? 

 

That's right!

 

They can hijack your system and change the PHP code, CSS, HTML, or your database. 

 

So, if you have recently installed some new additions, make sure to uninstall them. 

 

If you need help removing a certain extension, simply Google the extension name to find the official documentation. That should help you uninstall the extension in the safest way possible.

Check for Unexpected Database Changes

Here's another shocking fact:

 

Uninstalling an extension might not fully revert the changes made by the extension. 

 

In fact, some extensions, especially on the WordPress platform, can gain full access rights to your database and change records in tables belonging to other extensions as well! 

 

The best thing you should do if this happens is open up each table one-by-one or manually comb through all of them for any modified data from a certain plugin. Or, you can do quick research and find people who have experienced the same issue to see how they handled the problem.

 

Troubleshooting on the Server-Side

Did you try all the troubleshooting steps outlined above and nothing worked?

 

In that case, it's time to try some troubleshooting strategies on the server-side.

 

Let's dive in!

Check the Configuration Files

The next troubleshooting tip is to check if there are any unintentional redirect instructions in your web server's configuration files. 

 

Your application is either running on Apache or Nginx web servers. If it turns out that it's an Apache server, then both apache_server and .htaccess need to be checked.

 

On the other hand, if you're using Nginx, only one file needs checking: namely, nginx_conf_. After you locate the files, search for 407 errors and see if anything appears. If it does, you need to modify it. You either want to remove it entirely if you don't need the status code or apply it to a specific page.

Check the Application Logs

The application logs are like your website's diary, detailing what pages were requested and which servers it connected to.

 

When you open the app log files for a 407 error, there is usually some kind of match that will point you in the right direction towards resolving this issue.

 

Summary

 

The 407 Proxy Authentication Required error code indicates that the server cannot complete the request because the client lacks appropriate authentication credentials for a proxy server that intercepts the request between the client and server.

 

Although it's usually a client-side error, in some rare cases, the server could be the root cause of the error. For this reason, website owners should troubleshoot on the client-side and the server-side. 

 

If you're a website owner, understanding what each type of status code indicates is essential for the survival of your online business. To help you, we've put together this comprehensive HTTP status code cheat sheet that's perfect for learning about the different types of codes and their meaning.


And after you're done with all your hard work studying up on these codes, make sure to 
invest in proper website maintenance services. Regular monitoring and upkeep will ensure that you offer an exceptional customer experience at all times!