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How To Fix The HTTP 405 Method Not Allowed Error

Geeksdigit Team

May 26, 2026

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The HTTP 405 Method Not Allowed error is a common web server error that appears when a client, browser, application, or API sends an HTTP request using a method that the target server does not permit. Unlike a 404 error, which indicates that a page cannot be found, a 405 error means the requested resource exists, but the server refuses to process the request using the specified HTTP method.

For example, a webpage may allow GET requests for viewing content but reject POST, PUT, DELETE, or other methods. Website owners, developers, and regular users may encounter this error while browsing websites, submitting forms, uploading files, using APIs, or managing web servers.

The exact cause varies depending on whether you are a visitor, website administrator, or developer. It may result from incorrect URL configurations, plugin conflicts, server restrictions, security rules, improper API calls, or web application settings. Fortunately, there are several effective solutions available.

This guide explains the most common causes of the HTTP 405 Method Not Allowed error and provides step-by-step instructions to fix it.

What Causes The HTTP 405 Method Not Allowed Error?

Common reasons include:

• Unsupported HTTP request methods.
• Incorrect website URLs.
• Misconfigured web server settings.
• Corrupted .htaccess files.
• CMS plugin or extension conflicts.
• Web application firewall restrictions.
• API endpoint configuration errors.
• Incorrect routing rules.
• Recently installed website updates.
• Permission or access-control settings.

The error typically appears as:

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

Method 1: Refresh The Web Page

Temporary communication issues between the browser and server may trigger a 405 error.

Steps:

1. Press F5.
2. Or press Ctrl + F5 for a hard refresh.
3. Reload the webpage.
4. Check if the error disappears.

A simple refresh often resolves temporary server-side problems.

Method 2: Verify The Website URL

An incorrect URL may send requests to endpoints that do not support certain methods.

Steps:

1. Carefully inspect the website address.
2. Check for:
   • Misspelled words
   • Extra symbols
   • Incorrect folders
   • Missing parameters
3. Correct any errors.
4. Reload the page.

Even a small URL mistake can produce a 405 response.

Method 3: Clear Browser Cache And Cookies

Corrupted browser data may cause outdated requests to be sent repeatedly.

Steps In Google Chrome:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
2. Select:
   • Cookies and other site data
   • Cached images and files
3. Choose All Time.
4. Click Delete Data.
5. Restart the browser.

Visit the website again to see whether the error has been resolved.

Method 4: Try A Different Browser

Browser-specific extensions or cached settings may trigger the issue.

Steps:

1. Open another browser such as:
   • Google Chrome
   • Microsoft Edge
   • Mozilla Firefox
   • Opera
2. Visit the same website.
3. Test whether the page loads normally.

If the error disappears, the original browser configuration may be responsible.

Method 5: Disable Browser Extensions

Certain extensions modify requests sent to websites.

Steps In Chrome:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Click the three-dot menu.
3. Select Extensions > Manage Extensions.
4. Disable all extensions temporarily.
5. Refresh the webpage.

If the page works afterward, re-enable extensions one by one until the problematic extension is identified.

Method 6: Check Whether The Website Is Temporarily Down

The issue may originate from the website itself rather than your device.

Steps:

1. Visit the website from another device.
2. Try another network connection.
3. Ask a friend to test the site.
4. Check the website’s official status page if available.

If everyone encounters the same error, the server administrator may need to fix the issue.

Method 7: Roll Back Recent Website Changes

For website owners, recently modified settings may cause 405 errors.

Review Recent Changes:

• CMS updates
• Plugin installations
• Theme modifications
• Security configurations
• API integrations
• Server configuration changes

Restore previous settings and test the affected page again.

If the error disappears, the recent modification likely caused the problem.

Method 8: Check The .htaccess File

Improper Apache configuration rules can generate HTTP 405 errors.

Steps:

1. Access your website files.
2. Locate:

.htaccess

3. Create a backup copy.
4. Open the file using a text editor.
5. Review recent changes.
6. Remove suspicious rewrite rules.
7. Save the file.
8. Restart Apache if necessary.

You can also temporarily rename:

.htaccess.old

Then test the website.

If the error disappears, the .htaccess configuration contains the problem.

Method 9: Disable Problematic Plugins

Plugins frequently create routing and request conflicts.

WordPress Example:

1. Log in to WordPress Admin.
2. Navigate to:

Plugins → Installed Plugins

3. Disable all plugins.
4. Test the affected page.
5. Re-enable plugins individually.

The plugin that triggers the error can then be updated, replaced, or removed.

Method 10: Verify HTTP Request Methods

Developers should ensure the correct request method is being used.

Common HTTP Methods:

• GET
• POST
• PUT
• PATCH
• DELETE
• OPTIONS
• HEAD

For example:

A server endpoint designed for:

GET /users

may reject:

POST /users

and return:

405 Method Not Allowed

Review application documentation and ensure the correct request method is being used.

Method 11: Review API Endpoint Configuration

API developers often restrict which methods are allowed.

Check:

• Route definitions
• Controller actions
• Middleware rules
• Access-control policies
• API documentation

For example:

Allowed:
GET /products

Not Allowed:
DELETE /products

Using unsupported methods results in a 405 response.

Method 12: Examine Web Server Configuration

Incorrect web server settings can block valid methods.

Apache

Review:

httpd.conf

and:

apache2.conf

Nginx

Review:

nginx.conf

and site configuration files.

Look for:

• Method restrictions
• Security directives
• Rewrite rules
• Access control settings

Restart the server after making changes.

Method 13: Check Security Software And Firewalls

Web application firewalls may block specific request types.

Examples:

• ModSecurity
• Cloudflare rules
• Security plugins
• Reverse proxy filters

Temporarily disable the security rule and test the affected page.

If the page begins working, adjust the rule configuration rather than leaving protection disabled permanently.

Method 14: Restore A Website Backup

If the error appeared after significant changes, restoring a previous backup may be the fastest solution.

Steps:

1. Open your hosting control panel.
2. Locate website backups.
3. Select a backup created before the error occurred.
4. Restore:
   • Website files
   • Database if necessary
5. Test the site.

A known-good backup often eliminates configuration mistakes immediately.

Method 15: Contact Your Hosting Provider

Hosting providers can review server logs and identify the exact cause.

Information To Provide:

• Full URL generating the error
• Time the issue started
• Recent website changes
• Screenshots of the error
• Error log entries

Server logs often reveal the specific module or rule causing the 405 response.

Final Thoughts

The HTTP 405 Method Not Allowed error occurs when a server receives a request using an HTTP method that is not permitted for the requested resource. While regular users may encounter it because of browser issues, cached data, or incorrect URLs, website owners and developers usually face it due to server configurations, plugin conflicts, API restrictions, routing errors, or security settings.

Start with basic solutions such as refreshing the page, verifying the URL, clearing browser cache, and testing another browser. Website administrators should then examine recent changes, review .htaccess rules, inspect server configurations, verify API methods, and check security software. In many cases, identifying the blocked HTTP method quickly leads to the correct fix.

By systematically applying the methods in this guide, you can resolve most HTTP 405 Method Not Allowed errors and restore normal website functionality.

FAQs

What does HTTP 405 Method Not Allowed mean?

It means the requested resource exists, but the server refuses to process the request using the HTTP method that was sent.

Is a 405 error caused by my browser?

Sometimes. Browser cache, cookies, extensions, or malformed requests can contribute to the issue, but server configuration problems are more common.

Can WordPress plugins cause a 405 error?

Yes. Security plugins, caching plugins, redirect tools, and custom extensions can block certain HTTP methods and trigger 405 errors.

How do I know which HTTP method is causing the error?

Developers can inspect browser developer tools, API testing tools, or server logs to identify whether GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, or another method is being rejected.

Can a firewall generate a 405 Method Not Allowed error?

Yes. Web application firewalls, security services, reverse proxies, and server security modules can block request methods and return a 405 response.