How To Fix 405 Method Not Allowed

Imagine you’re browsing and encountering an error on a website. Would you revisit it? Probably not. Similarly, an HTTP 405 Method Not Allowed error on your site can deter visitors, affecting traffic and trust. Making your site error-free is essential for maintaining and growing your audience.

This error can lead to losing plenty of traffic and, more importantly, visitors will lose their trust and connection with your site. It’s crucial to make your site error-free to maintain and grow your audience.

405 Error can be very problematic to solve because you wouldn’t know what has caused this issue to occur. In this article, I’ll explain to you what 405 means and show you how you can fix it.

What Is Error code 405 Method Not Allowed

The HTTP 405 Method Not Allowed error is a server response indicating that the server recognizes the request method, but the target resource does not support it. For example, if you try to submit a form using a POST method on a page that only allows GET requests, you might encounter this error. 

In simple words, a 405 error is like ordering a steak in a vegan restaurant: they understand your request but cannot fulfill it. Understanding this error is crucial because it can significantly impact user experience and site functionality.

Common Causes Of 405 Not Allowed

There are several causes why the error code 405 is not allowed. So some of them are listed below;

• Incorrect URL: Sometimes 405 can occur due to a fault in your site’s URL or you might have typed something wrong and the link acted as a broken one.
• Configuration Issues: Server configurations, like those in .htaccess or web. config can sometimes cause this error to show.
• Plugin or Themes Conflict: You might have installed a faulty theme or plugin which caused the issue.

Variations Of The 405 Method Not Allowed

405 Error messages can appear in different forms depending on the server. Some variations you might encounter include:

• 405 Not Allowed
• Method Not Allowed
• HTTP 405 Error
• HTTP 405 Method Not Allowed

These variations do not affect the root cause of the error message. They simply indicate that there is an issue with your website that needs to be addressed.

How To Fix 405 not allowed

Let’s find out in what ways you will be able to resolve this time-consuming error. But before that, you might feel the need to create a backup of your website. Once you are done doing then follow the steps listed below and can fix the issue that has been a headache for you.

I have listed below some steps with which you will able to resolve this issue

1. Check Your Domain’s DNS
2. Deactivating Newly Installed Plugins & Themes
3. Inspect the latest Database Changes
4. Review The. htaccess File

Check Your Domain’s DNS

While exploring DNS servers Ensure your domain is pointing to the correct DNS server. Misconfigured DNS settings can lead to a 405 error. Use online tools like Google Admin Toolbox to verify your DNS records.

For example, if you try to open a website hosted on Server A, but your domain points to a different Server B, or if it is still in DNS propagation, you might encounter a 405 error. This can happen if your nameservers or domain’s DNS settings have been changed or are not correctly linked to your domain name.

Deactivating Newly Installed Plugins & Themes

If you have recently added new themes or plugins, their incompatibility with your WordPress setup might be the cause of response code 405. Start by deactivating them one at a time to isolate the cause. After each deactivation, check if the error persists to determine if a specific plugin or theme is responsible.

If this resolves the issue, congratulations and now you can activate them and your site will be back to normal.

Inspect the Latest Database Changes

If you have deactivated or uninstalled the faulty plugins or themes and are still seeing the 405 error, the issue might be with your database. The problem can occur if a plugin is uninstalled but leaves behind some faulty tables in your database, causing a conflict and resulting in the HTTP 405 Method Not Allowed error.

You can access your website’s database through your web hosting control panel or by using an FTP client to connect to your server. SiteGround users can access their database using the PHPMyAdmin software by navigating to Site Tools > Site > MySQL.

You can create a new database or you can look for the faults caused by the plugins you uninstalled. However, if you find any problem, change it and see if it resolves the problem.

Review the .htaccess File

The .htaccess file is a powerful tool for configuring server behavior. However, it’s also a common source of causing error 405.

1. Access the .htaccess File: Connect to your server via FTP or use the file manager in your hosting control panel.
2. Backup the File: Before making changes, always back up the current version of the .htaccess file.
3. Review and Edit: Look for any rules that might be blocking the HTTP method.

After reviewing the issue persists, consider modifying the .htaccess file.

• Access your site through FTP and navigate to the root folder. To open the. htaccess file, right-click on it, and select View/Edit to open.

• The file has multiple lines of code beginning with “RewriteCond”, but you’re looking for entries that include the number 405.

[R=405, L]

• If you see a rule with code like this, you can go ahead and update or delete it.

Conclusion

The 405 Method Not Allowed error can be a headache if you are unable to solve the problem. But with this guide, you will probably be able to get your tail out of this issue and you can ensure your website remains functional and user-friendly. Remember, regular maintenance and checks are key to preventing such errors from disrupting your site’s performance.