What is a “421 misdirected request” error?
The 421 status code, also known as “421 Misdirected Request,” is an HTTP status code that appears when a request is sent to a server that is unable to process a response.
Furthermore, this 421 status code indicates that the server is unable to establish a connection with the client due to network or configuration issues.
Even though the server understands the request, it refuses to process it because it lacks the capability to do so.
For instance, if a web browser requests a server to access a website, the server might respond with a range of status codes, depending on the success or failure of the request.
The 421 status code is one such code, indicating an issue that is generally temporary.
Root Causes of “421 misdirected request” error
This error can be caused by several factors:
- The request was meant for a different target resource.
- There are issues with the server configuration, problems with load balancing, misconfigurations in DNS, or failures in the proxy server.
- When multiple websites share a single SSL certificate, the browser may trigger the error due to conflicts in the virtual host entry.
- Multiple requests for multiple hosts on the same TLS connection, make renegotiation impossible.
How to fix the “421 misdirected request” error? Solutions
Here are some ways to fix this error:
Solution 1: Correcting Wildcard SSL
If many domains share a single SSL certificate, the certificate either has a wildcard name, such as *.sample.org, or carries several alternate names.
Having a unique SSL certificate for each domain can stop HTTP/2 from reusing connections.
Solution 2: Removing Faulty Code in .htaccess
If there’s any faulty code in your .htaccess file, removing it might solve the issue.
Solution 3: Clearing the Browser Cache
Sometimes, it could be a simple browser cache. The browsers can cache the 421 response. Thus it is not a bad idea to try clearing the browser cache.
If you use Google Chrome, here’s how to clear its cache:
- Click the three dots in the top-right corner of your window. You can also use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + H).
- Go to History.
- Click on Clear Browsing Data.
- A new window will appear. Choose the Time range, if you wish to erase all data, select All Time.
- Select what you’d like to clear- this could be browsing history, cookies, and other site data, or cached images and files.
- Then, hit the Clear Data button.
Solution 4: Verifying Server Configuration
You can also resolve this error by reviewing your request, verifying server configuration, following redirections if necessary, and seeking support when needed.
Conclusion
We have discussed the 421 status code, also known as “421 Misdirected Request,” which indicates that the server is unable to establish a connection with the client due to network or configuration issues.
By implementing the solutions provided above, you can confidently address and resolve this issue.
For further learning, you can also check the following HTTP status code: