A 403 Forbidden Error in WordPress occurs when the server does not give permission to access a page or resource. There can be many reasons for this, such as:
🔍 Possible reasons for 403 Error
- Incorrect File Permissions – Incorrect permission settings of the file or folder.
- Corrupt .htaccess File – Incorrect code or corruption in the .htaccess file.
- Plugin Conflict – Blocking due to a security plugin.
- Hotlink Protection – Server settings are preventing access to a file or image.
- IP Blocking – Your IP has been blocked in the server settings.
- CDN Issues – If you are using Cloudflare or any other CDN, then the blockage may be from there.
🛠 Ways to Fix 403 Error
1️⃣ Reset the .htaccess File
Open File Manager from FTP or cPanel.
.htaccess file in public_html folder 1. Search for .htaccess.
Rename this file (eg: .htaccess_old).
Now go to WordPress dashboard and go to Settings → Permalinks and click on Save Changes.
If the problem was with .htaccess, then now the site will run properly.
2️⃣ Correct File Permissions
Go to wp-content, wp-admin, wp-includes folder from FTP or cPanel.
Set their file permission to 755 and files to 644.
3️⃣ Disable Plugins
Rename wp-content/plugins/ folder from FTP/cPanel (eg: plugins_old).
Now open the site and check.
If the site opens, then a plugin is the reason. Turn on all the plugins one by one and find out which plugin is causing the problem.
4️⃣ Check Hotlink Protection
If you are using Cloudflare or any security plugin, go to its settings and turn off Hotlink Protection.
5️⃣ Unblock IP
Go to cPanel → IP Deny Manager.
If your IP is blocked there, remove it.
6️⃣ Disable CDN and Firewalls
If you are using Cloudflare or any CDN, turn it off temporarily and check if the 403 Error is gone.
Are you still seeing a specific error code on your website? 🤔
Follow these steps to fix 403 Forbidden Error in WordPress:
✅ Step 1: Reset .htaccess file
Login from cPanel or FTP.
Go to public_html folder.
Rename the .htaccess file (eg: .htaccess_old).
Now go to WordPress Dashboard → Settings → Permalinks → Click on Save Changes.
🔹 If the error was due to .htaccess, then now your site will run properly.
✅ Step 2: Correct File Permissions
From FTP/cPanel, reset wp-content, wp-admin, wp-includes Go to the folder.
Right-click and select “File Permissions” Select 755 for these folders and 644 for files.
🔹 If the permissions are wrong, the server may block access.
✅ Step 3: Disable Plugins
Rename the wp-content/plugins/ folder in FTP/cPanel (eg: plugins_old).
Now check the website.
If the site opens correctly, then a plugin is causing the issue.
Re-enable plugins one by one and find out which plugin is causing the issue.
🔹 Sometimes security plugins (eg Wordfence) cause 403 error.
✅ Step 4: Check Hotlink Protection
Go to cPanel → Security → Hotlink Protection.
If it is on, disable it and save.
🔹 Sometimes Hotlink Protection blocks important files too.
✅ Step 5: Unblock IP
Go to cPanel → IP Deny Manager.
If your IP is blocked there, remove it.
🔹 If your own IP is blocked, you will get 403 Error.
✅ Step 6: Disable CDN and Firewalls
If you are using Cloudflare, pause it temporarily and check.
Also check the Firewall Settings of the Hosting Provider.
🔹 Cloudflare or security firewalls sometimes block legitimate requests too.
If not fixed by all the above steps?
👉 Contact Hosting Support and ask them about the 403 error Ask to check the error. Sometimes ModSecurity or Server Settings can cause problems.
Did you try any of these methods? Which step worked or are you getting some other error? 🚀