Let’s face it we’ve all been there – staring at that dreaded “proxy error” message feeling like we’re stuck in digital limbo.
Those cryptic error codes like 404 407 or 503 are enough to make even the most seasoned web surfer pull their hair out.
But before you throw in the towel let’s take a deep breath and break down what these error codes actually mean.
Think of them as little messengers letting you know something’s not quite right with the connection between your device and the website you’re trying to reach.
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Diving into the World of Proxy Error Codes
Tired of those annoying proxy errors? 😩 Stop getting blocked and level up your online experience with a reliable proxy provider!
Get a reliable proxy provider now!
Proxy error codes or HTTP(s) error codes are like a secret language used by websites to communicate with browsers.
They provide insights into the status of the request you’re sending through a proxy server.
These error codes are grouped into five categories with the first digit signifying the error type.
Let’s explore each category breaking down the most common codes and their potential causes.
1xx – Informational Responses
These codes are less common and mostly serve as a heads-up that the server is still processing your request.
You might encounter them if you’re dealing with large or complex requests that require more time to process.
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100 – Continue: The server received a part of your request and is asking you to continue sending the rest. This is useful to avoid sending unnecessary data if the initial part of your request is rejected.
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101 – Switching Protocols: The browser requested a change in the communication protocol and the server has agreed to switch.
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102 – Processing (WebDAV): This indicates that your request has been received and is being processed but it might take a bit longer than usual because it involves multiple sub-requests.
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103 – Early Hints: The server is letting you know it’s taking a break before processing your request. You can still use your browser while the server is “resting.”
2xx – Successful Status
The best-case scenario! These codes signal that your request has been successfully received understood and accepted.
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200 – OK: This is the standard response for a successful request indicating that the website is functioning correctly.
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201 – Created: The server fulfilled your request and created a new resource based on it like a new page with your login information.
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202 – Accepted: The server received your request and is still processing it but there’s no guarantee of a successful outcome.
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203 – Non-Authoritative Information: Your request was fulfilled but the response came from a source other than the original server like a third-party or a local copy. The response might have been modified by an intermediary proxy.
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204 – No Content: The server processed your request successfully but there’s no content to display. Try modifying your request to retrieve the desired information.
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205 – Reset Content: The server is asking you to reset the data you’ve entered in a form.
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206 – Partial Content: You’ve requested a range of files or multiple streams so you’ve only received a partial portion of the content.
3xx – Redirection Status Errors
These codes indicate that your request needs further action before it can be completed.
The process should ideally end with a 2xx code but for now you’re being redirected.
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300 – Multiple Choices: There are multiple responses available and the server is asking you to choose the one you need. The browser or crawler can’t make this decision on its own so it’s up to you to identify the right resource. Make sure your URL ends up at a single location by checking the HTTP headers.
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301 – Moved Permanently: This is a permanent redirection of all references to a new URL. Search engines generally limit the number of redirects for a single link to five. If you’re a website owner fix this issue to prevent infinite loops.
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302 – Found (Previously “Moved temporarily”): This redirects you to a different URL temporarily.
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303 – See Other: The resource you’re looking for is at a different URL and you should use a “GET” request to access it.
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304 – Not Modified: The response hasn’t been modified since the last request. This helps to reduce the crawler’s workload by avoiding unnecessary checks.
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305 – Use Proxy: This tells you that you must use a proxy server to access the resource. The server might also provide the proxy server’s address but browsers like Mozilla might hide this information for security reasons.
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307 – Temporary Redirect: The resource has been temporarily moved to a new URI. The header should include the location. Future requests should be directed to the original URL.
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308 – Permanent Redirect: Similar to 307 this is a permanent move to a new URI. Future requests should also be directed to the updated location. Both 307 and 308 are similar to 301 and 302 but they differ in the HTTP method which doesn’t change with the new URL.
4xx – Client Errors
This group indicates a problem originating from your side.
As a website owner it’s important to address these issues to maintain SEO performance and prevent your pages from being penalized.
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400 – Bad Request: This is a general error indicating that the server cannot respond to your request but doesn’t specify the exact cause. There could be syntax errors incorrect formatting or other issues. Review your request and URL and try again.
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401 – Unauthorized Error: The website is asking for authorization to fulfill your request like when you try to access your social media account from a new device.
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403 – Forbidden: You’ve been identified but aren’t allowed access. You might need to change your proxy location or ports. Check that your proxy is working correctly to prevent future occurrences.
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404 – Not Found: The website or resource you’re trying to reach doesn’t exist. Even if your initial request is correct crawlers or bots can’t reach the website. The URL might be incorrect changed or deleted. This is a common error that can negatively impact SEO but it can also be turned into a revenue-generating opportunity by redirecting users to relevant content.
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405 – Method Not Allowed: The server recognizes your request method but it’s disabled. This means your browser cannot access the requested page but the server is aware of the page’s existence. Verify your URL before resending the request.
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406 – Not Acceptable: The server cannot find a response that matches the requested headers. The problem might be related to the URL and recent updates. The server should present a list of possible results to help you select the most accurate one.
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407 – Proxy Authentication Required: Proxy authentication is needed to process the request. The username or password might be incorrect. This occurs when the crawler lacks the proxy provider or when the IP is not whitelisted. The solution is to double-check your proxy settings include all IPs you’ll use verify your credentials and provide any necessary information.
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408 – Request Timeout: The website you’re trying to reach didn’t respond in time causing a timeout. Slow internet could be the culprit so try refreshing the page. If the problem persists consider changing the session type or endpoint.
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409 – Conflict: There’s a conflict between the request and the current state of the resources. The response content should help you understand the cause and fix it.
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410 – Gone: The target resource has been deleted or can no longer be accessed. This is similar to 404 but the resource is permanently gone from its original location and doesn’t have a new address.
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411 – Length Required: The server rejected the request because the content length doesn’t meet the requirements.
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412 – Precondition Failed: Precondition rules for processing the request have been falsely met. This request contains “if..then” statements that need to be fulfilled.
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413 – Payload Too Large: The server cannot process the request because it’s too large. You might be trying to upload large files. Reduce the file size and try again.
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414 – URI Too Long: The URL is too long for the server to process. It could also indicate a potential security attack aimed at identifying vulnerabilities.
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429 – Too Many Requests: The same IP address has sent too many requests within a specific time frame. This can happen when your activity resembles a bot rather than a single user. Rotating proxy sessions can help mitigate this issue.
5xx – Server Errors
These indicate a problem on the server side.
Your request was sent successfully but the server couldn’t respond due to internal issues.
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500 – Internal Server Error: The server encountered an internal bug and stopped responding. Try the request again later.
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501 – Not Implemented: The server doesn’t recognize your request method and can’t process it. Contact your server administrator to resolve the issue. Before doing so try reloading the page and clearing the cache.
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502 – Bad Gateway: This occurs when the server acting as a proxy to another server receives an invalid response. The connection might have been disrupted or the server might have detected bot activity. Rotating IPs can help but if you’re using datacenter proxies it might not be enough. Datacenter proxies are more easily identifiable so consider changing the IP type.
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503 – Service Unavailable: The server is overloaded or under maintenance and cannot process your request. This is usually temporary so try connecting again later.
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504 – Gateway Timeout: The server acting as a proxy or gateway couldn’t deliver the response to the other server within the allocated time. Check your server connection and retry the request.
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505 – HTTP Version Not Supported: Your request doesn’t match the supported HTTP protocol version.
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507 – Insufficient Storage: The server has run out of disk space and cannot store your request data. You can try upgrading your hosting plan or optimizing database settings.
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510 – Not Extended: Further extension is required to process your request.
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511 – Network Authentication Required: You need to authenticate your network to receive a response. This might be required when connecting to Wi-Fi such as at an airport to accept the terms of use.
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522 – Connect Timeout: The proxy connection timed out. Reconnect to continue.
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525 – No Exit Found: The server can’t deliver the response due to unsuitable parameters. Try adjusting them or try again later.
Solving Proxy Errors: A Practical Guide
Proxy error codes give you valuable clues about the underlying issue leading you to targeted solutions.
When you encounter an error try the following troubleshooting steps:
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Try Different Proxy Types: This is often the most effective solution. While datacenter proxies are known for speed and stability they’re more easily detected. Switching to residential proxies can improve user experience and help to avoid 502 errors. Consider a flexible traffic-based residential proxy plan for optimal performance and uptime.
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Increase the Delay Between Requests: This allows the server time to process your request without getting overwhelmed. Rotating proxy sessions can be helpful especially for scraping activities for SEO purposes. Using a Chrome Proxy Extension can simplify the setup process.
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Improve IP Rotation: Avoid using the same IP address for extended periods to prevent restrictions or blocks. Consider a service with advanced proxy rotation.
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Clear Browser Cache: Clearing your browser cache might resolve the issue especially if the problem is related to outdated information. Go to Chrome browser > 3 dots on the right side > More Tools > Clear Browsing Data. Select “All time” as the time range and check “Browsing history cookies and other site data cached images and files.” Click “Clear data.”
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Change Network or Restart Computer: These basic steps are sometimes all you need to clear a temporary glitch.
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Contact Customer Support: If you’re still struggling don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance. Expert proxy providers often offer round-the-clock customer support to help you troubleshoot issues and optimize your proxy usage.
By understanding the nuances of proxy error codes and applying these practical solutions you can navigate the world of online access with confidence.
Remember these codes aren’t the enemy – they’re your guide to a smoother more efficient web experience.
Tired of those annoying proxy errors? 😩 Stop getting blocked and level up your online experience with a reliable proxy provider!