“Access denied: you don’t have permission to access this server” is a common error message encountered when the website server you are trying to visit restricts your access.
Website access restrictions can arise due to a variety of factors. These limitations can result from security measures implemented by the website owner to protect sensitive information or prevent unauthorized access. Other causes may include any of the following:
- Proxy or VPN issues
- Cached data on your browser
- Misconfigured browser settings
- DNS server is unavailable for the web address
- Server downtime
- Expired session
- IP restrictions
- Resource Overload
- And More
Regardless of the reasons, you will learn how to fix the “access denied on this server” error in this article. Let’s dive in!
🔑Key Takeaways
- When you get denied access, the server has identified you as an unauthorized user who cannot access the requested content.
- One easy way to solve access-denied issues is to clear cookies on your website.
- Clearing browser data can also address the access denied you get from certain sites.
- Another way to address the problem is to turn off your proxy server and use a premium VPN service.
- Using NordVPN allows you to bypass geo-restricted sites that use geo-blocking technology.
Way To Fix “Access Denied: You don’t have permission to access this server” Error
The solution to the error mainly depends on what caused the error. Unless there is a problem on the server side, fixing this problem is fairly simple.
Here are the methods to fix the error:
Method 1: Clear Cookies on the Website
Cookies are small files that a web server sends to a browser or mobile device to store your preferences. When you accept cookies, websites can work efficiently and effectively.
Follow these steps to clear cookies on a specific website:
1. Open Google Chrome and select the vertical three dots on the right corner of your screen.
2. Click on Settings.
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3. Hover over Privacy and Security and select Site Settings.
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4. Tap Third-Party Cookies.
5. Click See all data and permissions.
6. Find the domain of the website you can’t access from the list and click the Delete icon.
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7. Restart your browser and visit the site to see if the problem has been resolved.
| 💡Did You Know? 76% ignore the cookie banner, and only 0.5% open the cookie settings. Read Techjury’s Internet Cookies Statistics: A Data-Driven Tell-All article for more cookie-related statistics. |
Method 2: Clear Browser Data
Browsing data can enhance online surfing by storing login credentials and speeding up website loading times. However, browsing data like cookies, cache, and history can accumulate and get corrupted, resulting in a site access denied error.
Clearing browser data gives your browser a fresh start. Clearing the cache and browsing history can address the problem, as sometimes cached files become outdated rendering pages.
Here are the steps to clear browser data and solve the access denied issue:
1. Open Chrome on your PC and click on the three vertical dots at the top right corner.
2. Select More Tools and then Clear Browsing Data.
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3. Click Advanced and choose All Time from the Time Range drop-down menu.
4. Check all boxes, including Cookies, Browsing History, other site data, and Cached images and files
5. Click Clear Data.
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6. Restart Google Chrome and reload the page to see if the error is gone.
| 🎉Fun Fact Your browser doesn’t collect your browsing data when you use private browsing. In Chrome, it is called “Incognito Mode”, and you can also spoof your geolocation using Chrome. |
Method 3: Reset Browser
Another way to address access-denied problems is to reset the browser. A browser reset will revert all the changes you made to the default. It will also delete all cookies and extensions that may have caused the access issue.
Reset your browsers using these steps:
1. Launch Google Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the upper part of your screen.
2. Click Settings.
3. From the Menu, click Reset Settings.
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4. Confirm the reset settings by clicking the blue Reset Settings button.
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By doing this, your passwords and saved bookmarks won’t be changed. Some settings, such as fonts or accessibility, will not be deleted.
| 💡Did You Know? Chrome is the preferred browser of most users and holds 63.51% of the share of the browser industry. |
Method 4: Turn Off VPN Extension
In some instances, your VPN extension could cause an error when you visit specific sites. VPNs conceal your IP address by sending your data to their servers, which the website you are attempting to access might block.
To know if your VPN extension is causing the error, here are the steps to turn off your VPN extension:
1. Open the Chrome browser and click the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner.
2. Click on Settings, then Extensions.
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3. Look for a VPN extension and toggle it off.
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4. Restart your browser and revisit the site to see if the access denied issue has been resolved.
Alternatively, you can turn off the VPN extension by doing this:
1. Click the extension icon in your browser.
2. Hover over Manage Extension.
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3. Toggle off the VPN extension you want to turn off.
| 💡Did You Know? A VPN can slow down your internet connection, but it can also improve your online experience when visiting certain sites. |
Method 5: Disable the Proxy Server for LAN
Using a proxy server for the LAN provides more security, privacy, and sometimes improved connection speed. A proxy address acts as an intermediary between your computer and the internet. However, this can result in some issues if your proxy settings are incorrect.
To check if the proxy server is the cause of the issue, you can turn it off first. Here are the steps to turn off your proxy server:
1. In your search bar, type in Internet Options and click on it to open the Internet Properties window.
2. Open the Connections tab.
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3. Click LAN Settings.
4. Uncheck the Use Proxy server for your LAN option.
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5. Click OK to save the changes.
After doing so, revisit the site you are trying to access and see if the issue is resolved.
Method 6: Use A Premium VPN
Users are sometimes prevented from accessing websites due to geo-blocking, a technology that restricts access to specific regions of the internet. When your IP is blocked, you get this access denied issue.
Free VPNs help you hide your IP address from the sites you visit. However, they are generally limited and are unlikely to provide reasonable speeds due to overwhelmed servers. The best workaround is to get a premium VPN service.
VPN services have advanced security features that will improve your security and offer dedicated IP addresses that look less suspicious. Using a premium VPN can bypass geo-blocking and fix access denied.
In the next section, find some of the top recommended VPNs to address the access denied issue.
a. Recommended VPN
If you’re having trouble finding the right VPN, here are some of the top recommended VPN services on the market:
b. NordVPN
For a premium VPN that lets you bypass geo-restrictions, NordVPN is top of mind. NordVPN has the largest private VPN network, with over 5,600 servers in 60 countries. It has everything you need:
- six simultaneous device connections
- double encryption
- kill switch.
NordVPN allows torrenting and video streaming and has a no-logging policy. All of this comes at a reasonable cost.
c. ExpressVPN
Regarding bypassing geo-restrictions, ExpressVPN is the one you can count on to resolve access-denied problems. ExpressVPN is an excellent VPN service with a lot to offer.
ExpressVPN’s deal breaker is that it only allows for three simultaneous connections and is a bit more expensive than other providers.
d. SurfShark VPN
SurfShark is a feature-packed VPN that is a good deal. With 3,200 servers in 63 countries, bypassing geographically controlled sites and accessing all content makes it easier.
Its competitive pricing and the fact that it offers unlimited simultaneous connections make this VPN provider one of the top choices.
| 👍Helpful Article If you want an in-depth explanation, check out Techjury’s review of SurShark VPN to know more. |
Wrap Up
The “you don’t have permission to access this server” error can be annoying, but the good thing is that there are various ways to fix this error.
You can clear your browser’s cookies or turn off a proxy. You can try any option and see which one works for your case. You may also consider getting a VPN service. Premium VPNs work well with geo-blocked websites, which can provide you with the necessary access.
FAQs
Is there a difference between “403 Forbidden” and “Access Denied” errors?
These two typically refer to the same situation where a user is trying to access a resource but doesn’t have permission to do so. In some cases, instead of getting 403 Forbidden, the message may show “You don’t have permission to access this server.”
Why would a server block my IP address?
There are various reasons why a server may block your IP address. One of these is to implement copyright and licensing agreements. Another is to protect the site from brute force attacks.
How do I bypass Google access denied?
Checking the Google Drive status is one easy way to fix the “access denied” error. To check, see if all services are active on the G-Suite dashboard. Green marks mean they are all working correctly without disruption.
Timeline Of The Article
By Raj Vardhman
Raj Vardhman is a tech expert and the Chief Tech Strategist at TechJury.net, where he leads the research-driven analysis and testing of various technology products and services. Raj has extensive tech industry experience and contributed to various software, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence publications. With his insights and expertise in emerging technologies, Raj aims to help businesses and individuals make informed decisions regarding utilizing technology. When he's not working, he enjoys reading about the latest tech advancements and spending time with his family.