Internet / ScoutRoo journal
A guide to website error codes
Website error codes tell you why a page didn't load, and they fall into two broad groups: codes starting with 4, which usually mean something's wrong with the request (often fixable on your end), and codes starting with 5, which mean something went wrong on the website's server (usually out of your control). Knowing the difference saves you from restarting your router when the real problem is the site itself, or waiting on a site that's actually fine when the issue is your connection.
The essentials
- 4xx errors (like 404, 403) usually relate to the specific page or request; 5xx errors (like 500, 502, 503, 504) usually mean the server itself is having trouble.
- A 404 means the page doesn't exist at that address — it's rarely your connection's fault.
- A 503 or 502 often means the site is temporarily overloaded or down for maintenance; waiting and retrying is usually the right move.
- If error codes show up across many different websites at once, the problem is more likely your own internet connection than any one site.
404 — Not Found
A 404 error means the server you reached exists and is working, but it has nothing at the specific web address you requested. This usually happens because a page was moved, renamed or deleted, or because you (or a link you clicked) mistyped the address.
There's not much to fix on your end beyond checking the link is correct, trying the website's search bar or homepage instead, or looking for a cached version of the page through a search engine. A 404 almost never means anything is wrong with your internet connection.
403 — Forbidden
A 403 means the server understood your request but is refusing to let you access that particular page or resource. This is often intentional — the content may require you to log in, you may not have the right permissions, or the site may be blocking certain visitors or regions.
Try logging in if the site has an account system, double-check you're allowed to view that content, and confirm you typed the address correctly, since a mistyped address can sometimes land on a restricted area instead of a normal 404. Like a 404, this is generally about the specific page, not your connection.
500 — Internal Server Error
A 500 error is a generic signal that something went wrong on the website's server while trying to process your request, without specifying exactly what. It's the server's problem, not yours, and typically means a bug or technical issue on the site's end.
There's little you can do beyond refreshing the page after a short wait or trying again later. If it persists across a return visit hours later, the site likely has an ongoing issue to fix on its own.
502 — Bad Gateway
A 502 error means a server acting as a go-between — often called a gateway or proxy — received an invalid response from another server it was relying on to fulfill your request. In plain terms, one part of the website's backend couldn't talk properly to another part.
This is squarely a server-side issue. Refreshing after a minute often resolves it, since these are frequently brief hiccups during updates or temporary server strain.
503 — Service Unavailable, and 504 — Gateway Timeout
A 503 error means the server is temporarily unable to handle the request, often because it's overloaded with traffic or undergoing scheduled maintenance. A 504 error means a gateway server didn't get a response from another server in time, which can happen when that other server is slow or overwhelmed.
Both are generally temporary and server-side. Waiting a few minutes and retrying is usually the best move, and if it's a high-traffic moment — like a big product launch or ticket sale — these errors are common simply due to demand on the site's end.
When it's actually your connection
If one specific site shows an error, the site is the more likely cause. If you see errors, timeouts or pages failing to load across many unrelated websites at the same time, your own connection is the more likely culprit.
- Restart your modem and router, then try a well-known site like a major search engine to see if the problem clears.
- Check your provider's outage page or outage-reporting tools to see if there's a known issue in your area.
- Try the same site on your phone with Wi-Fi turned off, using cellular data instead — if it loads fine, the issue is more likely your home network.
Good to know
Common questions
Which error codes mean it's my fault?
Generally 4xx codes, like 404 (page not found) or 403 (forbidden), relate to the specific request or page rather than a server failure, though even these are rarely about your internet connection specifically.
Which error codes mean the website is broken?
5xx codes — 500, 502, 503 and 504 — indicate a problem on the server's side, ranging from a bug to temporary overload to a maintenance window.
Should I keep refreshing a page that shows a 503 error?
A few retries over a few minutes is reasonable, since 503 errors are often temporary. Refreshing rapidly and repeatedly won't speed up a server that's overloaded.
How can I tell if an error is caused by my Wi-Fi?
If the error only happens on one website while others load fine, it's almost certainly that site. If many unrelated sites fail at once, restart your router and check your provider's outage page.
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