403 Forbidden Error
This error means the server understood your request but refuses to authorize it. You don't have permission to access the requested resource.
Common Causes
- Incorrect file permissions
- Missing index file
- .htaccess rules blocking access
- ModSecurity blocking the request
- IP blocked by firewall
How to Fix
1. Check File Permissions
Correct permissions should be:
- Folders: 755
- Files: 644
wp-config.php: 600 or 640
In cPanel File Manager, right-click → Change Permissions.
2. Check for Index File
Ensure public_html has an index.html or index.php file.
3. Check .htaccess
Look for deny rules like:
Order deny,allow\nDeny from all
Remove or modify restrictive rules.
4. Check ModSecurity
In cPanel → Security → ModSecurity, temporarily disable it to test.
5. Check IP Block
In cPanel → Security → IP Blocker, check if your IP is listed.
