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Common Website Error Codes

You go to your website… and instead of your page, you see a message with a number.

It is not a great feeling.

Before you assume something has gone badly wrong, most of these errors are quite common. They look technical, but they are often simple once you know what they mean.

I will walk you through the main ones and what to do next.

Process Orders

First, a bit of reassurance

An error does not always mean your website is broken.

In many cases it is:

  • temporary
  • caused by a small change
  • something that will resolve itself

So try not to jump straight into fixing things before you know what you are looking at.

If you are unsure where to start with your website in general, this guide on
👉 https://chiarabroom.co.uk/handover/tips-for-managing-your-own-website/ can help you feel more in control.

404 Error – Page Not Found

This is one of the most common.

It simply means the page cannot be found.

That might be because:

  • the page was deleted
  • the link is incorrect
  • the page URL has changed

What to do:

  • check the web address carefully
  • try finding the page from your homepage
  • if it is your own site, check if the page has been moved or renamed

If it is an important page, it is worth setting up a proper redirect so visitors are not left at a dead end.

503 Error – Service Unavailable

This usually means your website is temporarily unavailable.

It can happen if:

  • your hosting is under pressure
  • there is maintenance happening
  • the server cannot handle the request right now

What to do:

  • wait a few minutes
  • refresh the page
  • check your hosting provider if you have access

If it carries on or happens regularly, it is often linked to hosting quality. This guide may help:
👉 https://chiarabroom.co.uk/handover/the-importance-of-choosing-a-reliable-web-host-for-your-website/

500 Error – Internal Server Error

This one is less clear.

It means something has gone wrong behind the scenes, but it does not say exactly what.

Common causes include:

  • plugin issues
  • updates that have not completed properly
  • small technical errors

What to do:

  • refresh the page
  • think about anything you have recently changed

If you have just made updates, it is worth checking you are following a safe process:
👉 https://chiarabroom.co.uk/handover/how-to-safely-backup-update-your-wordpress-website/

Try not to start switching things on and off without a plan. It can make it harder to trace the issue.

403 Error – Forbidden

This means access is being blocked.

Your website understands the request, but it will not allow it.

This can be down to:

  • permissions
  • security settings
  • login restrictions

You can try:

  • logging in again
  • using a different browser
  • clearing your cache 

If you are locked out completely, this may help:
👉 https://chiarabroom.co.uk/handover/help-i-forgot-my-wordpress-login/

“Your connection is not private”

This warning relates to your website security.

It usually means there is an issue with your SSL certificate.

If you see this on your own website, it does need attention.

You can also read more about related warnings here:
👉 https://chiarabroom.co.uk/problem-solving/fixing-the-your-connection-not-private-warning-on-your-website/

What to do before you worry

Before assuming the worst, go through this quick check:

Quite often, the issue is smaller than it first looks.

When to ask for help

You do not need to work everything out on your own.

It is worth getting support if:

  • the error does not go away
  • your whole website is affected
  • you are unsure what caused it

Why is my website showing a 503 error?

A 503 error usually means your website is temporarily unavailable. This is often down to hosting issues, server overload, or maintenance. In many cases, it resolves on its own after a few minutes.

How do I fix a 404 error on my website?

A 404 error means the page cannot be found. Check the URL first. If the page has been moved or deleted, you may need to set up a redirect so visitors are sent to the correct page instead.

What causes a 500 internal server error?

A 500 error is usually caused by something going wrong behind the scenes. This could be a plugin issue, a failed update, or a small technical error. If it does not go away after refreshing, it is best to get support.

Are website error codes serious?

Not always. Many errors are temporary or easy to fix once you know what they mean. The key is not to panic and to check a few simple things first before making changes.

Who should you contact?

This depends on the type of issue, and who manages what on your website.

  • Your hosting provider
    If your site is down, slow, or showing a 503 / 500 error, your host is often the first place to check. They can see if the server is having problems.
  • Your web designer or developer
    If something has broken after a change, update, or redesign, your designer can usually spot the issue quickly and fix it properly.
  • Your website manager or care plan provider
    If you are on a care plan, this is exactly what it is there for. Ongoing support means you do not have to figure it out alone.

If you are not sure who to contact, start with the person who looks after your website day to day. They can usually point you in the right direction or handle it for you.

👉 Find out about getting a care plan for your site: https://chiarabroom.co.uk/website-management/

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