431 Request Header Fields Too Large

HTTP Status Code 431

Status code 431, also known as "Request Header Fields Too Large", is an error message you might encounter when browsing the web. It indicates that the web server you're trying to access rejected your request because the headers included in the request were too big.

Here's a breakdown of what it means:

Client-side error: This error typically originates from the user's side (client), such as your web browser, rather than the server itself.
Large headers: The issue lies with the headers sent along with your request to the server. Headers contain information about the request, like cookies or authentication details. If these headers become too large, the server struggles to process them.

Common causes for a 431 error include:

Too many cookies: Your browser might be storing a large number of cookies for the website you're trying to access, bloating the header size.
Excessively long URLs: URLs with long strings of parameters can also contribute to larger headers.
Server limitations: Some servers might have a cap on the maximum allowable header size for security reasons.

Here are some potential solutions:

Clear cookies: Try clearing your cookies for the specific website you're encountering the error on. This can significantly reduce the header size.
Shorten URLs: If possible, shorten any lengthy URLs you're using to access the website.
Contact website administrator (if applicable): In rare cases, the issue might lie with the website itself. If you're managing the website, you might need to consult with the server host about adjusting header size limits.

Other 4xx Status Codes