Status Code 401

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