Status Code 401 is an HTTP response code that means “Unauthorized”. It appears when a user tries to access a webpage or resource but hasn’t provided the correct login credentials.
It’s like a locked door asking for a key—if you don’t have the right one, you can’t get in.
Why Does This Happen?
You might see a 401 error when:
- You try to log in to a website without entering your username or password
- You enter the wrong credentials
- You try to access a protected page without permission
This status code is part of a group called HTTP authentication errors, which help manage access to secure content.
What’s the Difference Between 401 and 403?
- 401 Unauthorized: You haven’t provided valid login details, but you can try again with the right credentials.
- 403 Forbidden: You are not allowed to access the page, even if you log in.
How Does It Affect SEO?
While 401 errors are not common for public pages, they can:
- Block search engines from crawling protected content
- Cause Google Search Console to show crawl errors
- Prevent users from reaching your site if used incorrectly
So make sure only private or restricted areas return a 401 response.
How to Fix a 401 Error
If you’re a site owner:
- Check if the page requires login
- Make sure authentication is set up correctly
- Avoid returning 401 errors for public pages
If you’re a user:
- Log in with the correct username and password
- Contact the website admin if you think it’s a mistake