What is “406 Not Acceptable” Error and How to fix it?

The “406 error” or “406 Not Acceptable” error is an example of an HTTP response or status code.

You might encounter the 406 error while browsing a website, or even worse, on your website.

It might be a minor annoyance for the average internet user, but it can also be quite alarming for a website or application owner, as it can lead to lost sales and users.

But don’t worry, we will walk you through the process of fixing the “406 Not Acceptable” error.

So, without further ado, let’s get started!

What Does 406 Not Acceptable Error Mean?

The 406 Not Acceptable error is an HTTP status code.

It means that the server can’t provide a response that matches the acceptable values set in the request’s headers.

This usually happens when the server and the client’s browser or machine aren’t communicating properly.

Moreover, the HTTP error “406 Not Acceptable” is not as frequently encountered as other HTTP errors such as the 404 Not Found Error (typically indicating a webpage that doesn’t exist), or the 301 and 500 HTTP errors.

What Causes the 406 Not Acceptable Error?

This error usually occurs when there’s a mismatch between the format of content requested by the client and the formats the server can provide.

Other factors that can cause this error include using a VPN, firewall settings, network restrictions, and a missing user agent in the headers.

The 406 error message usually states and identifies the “requested resource” that’s causing the issue, with additional messages or server information appended at the end.

For instance:

An appropriate representation of the requested resource /sample.php could not be found on this server.

How to Fix 406 Not Acceptable Error? Solutions

The main way to fix a 406 error is to look at the source code for issues in the headers.

You can do this by:

  1. Opening a webpage
  2. Right-click anywhere on the page
  3. Then select “Inspect”
  4. After that, go to “Network”, and then ‘Headers’ to see all the requests from the webpage.

This is where you can check for any issues.

You can also try the following solutions to fix the 406 Not Acceptable error:

Solution 1: Check if the URL is correct

You need to check the URL that you previously used and which caused the error.

Try to enter it again or choose a different subdomain on the website to see if the issue is limited to a single page that isn’t displaying correctly.

Solution 2: Restart your networks and devices

Occasionally, the error may be triggered by the Accept- headers that your device or network sends.

Consider rebooting your device and network to check if it rectifies the problem.

Solution 3: Undo any recent changes to your CMS

If you’ve made recent modifications to your Content Management System (CMS), it might be the source of the error.

Think about reverting these changes to check if it resolve the issue.

Solution 4: After removing plugins, themes, and extensions, reinstall them

The error can sometimes be caused by a conflict with a plugin, theme, or extension.

If you’ve recently removed any of these, try reinstalling them to see if it resolves the issue.

Solution 5: Check your database for any changes or conflicts

Look into your database for any recent changes or conflicts. These could also lead to this error.

Track changes in your database by having a separate table that gets an entry added to it via triggers on INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE statements.

You can also read the database transaction log to track any changes.

Solution 6: Debug your website

If your website utilizes a CMS such as WordPress, you can employ its debugging tools to locate the problem.

This approach can assist you in identifying the root cause of the error.

Solution 7: Check the server logs

Server logs can provide valuable information about what’s causing the error.

Review these logs for any clues that might help you resolve the issue.

Solution 8: Check the status of your platform’s server online

You can also quickly check the server status of Minecraft servers using online tools.

Solution 9: Restart your Windows System, gaming system, streaming device, or other machines

Restart your Windows system by selecting the Power button from the Start menu and then selecting Restart.

You can also use the Alt + F4 key combination to restart your Windows computer.

Solution 10: Disconnect all devices from their cables, wait a few minutes, and then try to reconnect them

Try to recycle the router and modem by disconnecting everything for about one minute, then reconnect and see what happens.

You can also unplug the equipment’s power cable, wait 60 seconds, then plug the power cable back in.

Conclusion

There are multiple solutions to fix the 406 error, which is an HTTP status code that you might encounter while browsing a website or even on your website.

As long as you understand the issue and know where to find the solution, you should be able to resolve the error.

By following the provided solutions above on how to fix the 406 Not Acceptable error, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to resolve this issue.

For further learning, you can also check the following HTTP status code:

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