Technologies

404 and 503 decoded: Here’s what those pesky internet error fails really mean

You can’t load a webpage you want, but those error codes are trying to tell you something. We’ll help you figure out what to do next.

It was Feb. 16 and I had two alarms set on my phone for Beyoncé’s Formation tour tickets. As they were bound to sell out in minutes, I was on the website, ready to refresh the page as soon as the clock struck 10 a.m. But when the critical moment came, the page only showed an ominous message: «503? Service requested is unavailable?» I refreshed the page frantically. What if I couldn’t get the tickets? Who knew when Beyoncé would tour again? But I got the same error over and over again.

I picked up my phone hoping to have more luck there, but I got the same message. Finally, after what felt like a bazillion refreshes and clicks, I was able to get through. There they were — the tickets I had been waiting months for. Whew! The purchase confirmation screen appeared and the nightmare ended. But I kept asking myself where that message came from. Was it something I did, or was the website just borked?

Those random-seeming website error numbers like 404, 503 and 301 you sometimes see after typing a URL can throw you off your groove or worse, ruin an urgent task (like buying Beyoncé tickets). Sometimes, like if you mistyped the URL, a simple text change can put you back in business. Other times, there may be a bigger issue — the server is down or there’s an internet outage.

To help you understand what to do the next time you see one of these online uh-ohs, I’ll break down the basics of those strange codes — even the ones that you might not be able to crack on your own. And if you’re fascinated by all of the code-lingo, you can always dig in deeper with a coding course for beginners.

404s and other common website errors: What they mean

Some website error codes are your fault (oops), but others are because of problems with the server that only the website’s administrator can fix. Chances are, you’ll see them with every refresh — it might help keep your annoyance at bay to understand why (but I doubt it).

404: One of the most common errors you’ll see, it means the page cannot be found. Nowadays, some sites will design its error code pages with cute puppies, links to other pages or a funny illustration to lighten your no doubt frustrated mood. Double-check the URL for typos and try again. If you’re typing the correct URL and you still have no luck, the page has been moved or deleted.

301: You may have heard of a «301 redirect,» but probably have never seen this code displayed on a site. Think of it as a smooth transition from one old URL to a new one, sort of like forwarding your mail. You should still see the webpage you wanted when this happens, but it likely has a different URL than the one you entered. It’s a permanent move, and even if you use the old URL, you’ll still be automatically routed to the new one. Bookmark the new URL for future reference.

400: This one is best known as a «bad request» for the user. On Google Chrome, you’ll get the message, «This page isn’t working at the moment» along with some guidance about contacting the website administrator. Usually, it’s caused by an error on your end. There may be a typo in the URL, the server may not understand your request, or the file you’re trying to upload is too big. Try clearing your cache and checking the URL for typos. If you have no luck, take Google’s advice.

410: This is the «Gone» status. You may see a message like, «This page does not exist,» or «Page deleted or gone.» There’s no problem on your end — you’ve got the right page, but the website administrator may have deleted it for good.

451: This code blocks you from seeing a URL for various legal reasons. According to a developer resource page from Mozilla (the maker of the Firefox browser), a person or organization may have made a legal demand to remove the content or the page may be blocked because of government censorship. You should see the legal reason on the page with the status code, but it’s not always guaranteed. If you’re determined to see the content, you may be able to get there with a few tech-savvy tactics — like a VPN or proxy server that acts as a tool to bypass the server’s restrictions.

503: You’ll likely see the message, «503 Service unavailable,» when a website’s server is down, so you won’t be able to access the site until it’s fixed. Reason being, the site’s server could be down for maintenance, too many people may be causing the site to overload, the site could have a bug or someone looking to cause trouble has taken the site offline. You won’t be able to access the site until it’s fixed so it’s best to try again later to see if the server issue is resolved.

200: This code you won’t see because it means that everything is OK. The site, its server and your browser are all working fine, so there’s no need to alert you there’s not a problem. The only place you’ll likely see it is in the code (or back end). In fact, most codes that start with a 2 are a good sign that the communication channel between your browser and the company’s server is working.

How can I fix website codes with images and videos?

It can be frustrating if you’re trying to play a video, upload or download media, but see error codes instead. More often than not it’s a user error, and it’s up to you to fix the problem. Sometimes you’ll see a small icon that looks like a picture in place of the video or image you’d hope to see. In that case, you’ll know something’s wrong.

If you get status code 415, it’s a red flag that the server doesn’t recognize the file type you’re using. Popular photo- and video-sharing sites will list the file types they support, typically on the Support page (here’s the list for YouTube). If yours isn’t listed, try converting the file to one of the approved formats before uploading it again.

Front end developer Allan Hernandez says that most common supported types are .mp3 and .mp4 for videos and .jpeg, .png, .svg and .web for images. If you’re uploading a video or image using one of the correct file formats, he says, it should be easy and error-free.

Another common problem occurs when you try to upload files that are too big for the server, also known as status code 413. In this case, it’s best to reduce the file size before uploading again.

Here are a few other common error codes you may come across with media and what they mean.

404: The media file has been moved or deleted.
403: The server cannot access your image or video — possibly because the firewall is blocking it.
429: You may have sent too many requests without giving the server time to process them. So, if you’ve clicked «upload» a bazillion times, you may get this code.

Are any errors my fault that I can fix?

Yes, there are two types of code errors: client and server. Most client errors start with a 4. You’ll need to fix something on your end before continuing. For example, the 403 code may mean the page is forbidden, or the web administrator restricts access to that page. You’ll need to go to another page or site.

Usually, if there’s an error, you’ll need to do one of these things.

1. Restart your computer, modem or router.

2. Check the URL for typos.

3. Visit a different URL.

Sometimes, other actions may be required, such as you need to pay to see gated content or, if you’ve clicked a button constantly, you just need to wait patiently because the request isn’t processing fast enough.

If an error starts with a 5, it’s the server’s problem and there may not be much you can do. Try contacting the website’s support to let them know you’re getting a server error.

Technologies

Hands-On With the Galaxy Z TriFold: A True Phone-Tablet Hybrid

Technologies

Honor’s Audacious Robot Phone Is Real and I Just Got a First Glimpse

Forget foldables, this might just be the most unconventional phone design I’ve seen in years.

When Honor first announced its quirky Robot Phone back in October, I said I would have to see it and hold it to believe it’s real. Three months later, I’m halfway there at least.

At CES 2026 I got a first glimpse of a prototype of the phone with its pop-out DJI Osmo-like camera and gimbal. Given that part of the body of the phone is given over to housing these elements when they’re folded away, it’s understandably not among the cohort of ultra-thin devices we’ve seen over the past year or so.

I wasn’t allowed to touch or manipulate the phone or its arm, but I watched as a member of Honor’s team moved the camera between different positions. It was interesting to see how neatly the arm packed away, leaving the black phone looking, at a glance, almost like any other generic device with a particularly expansive camera module. But I can’t deny that I’m still keen to get my hands on it to see how well the robotic element of the phone actually operates.

Fortunately, I don’t have long to wait. At Mobile World Congress, which takes place in Barcelona in March, Honor will allow me to touch and hold the phone. At that point, the robotic arm will be working, so it won’t have to be manually adjusted. We know frustratingly little else about the phone at this stage beyond its design, but its full specs will also be announced at MWC.

When it finally launches, the Robot Phone is likely to be something of a niche product that appeals mainly to content creators. But it will also inject a much-needed dose of design daring into an industry that has struggled to show much imagination over the past decade.

Tech journalists, myself included, are guilty of complaining about the homogenous designs of most smartphones, while urging companies to take more risks and give us something to really get excited about. The introduction of foldable phones has been a breath of fresh air, but the Robot Phone is a next-level example of thinking beyond the conventional boundaries of phone design.

I, for one, can’t wait to see — and hold — more.

Technologies

Finally, I’ve Found a Worthy Successor to the Iconic ’90s Tamagotchi

This virtual pet grows physically bigger the more you play with it.

Back in 1996, when Tamagotchis became the must-have toy, I was 8 years old — the perfect target audience. I remember handing over my crisp British £10 note to the good people at Toys R Us, shaking with anticipation. It was the most money I’d ever spent in one go, but I knew it would be worth it to own one of the magenta virtual pets just like all of my classmates.

Thirty years later at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, I finally found a worthy successor to my treasured pixelated companion. Sweekar is a Tamagotchi-inspired pocket pet, an AI companion that grows physically bigger as it matures.

Sweekar begins life as an egg with ears. In a demo, it lays in my hand, and I tap it gently three times on the head, making its yellow ears glow. The egg opens to reveal a screen displaying a cracking shell. A pair of sleepy eyes pops into view.

On the Las Vegas show floor, Sweekar was ready to go for my demo, but usually, the incubation stage can take up to two days. The egg perches on its base until the shell cracks open, from which point little Sweekar will spend between five and seven days in baby stage. Next up is the teen stage (21 to 45 days), followed by Sweekar adulthood.

With each life stage, Sweekar grows a little bigger. Just like the original Tamagotchi, each stage brings a series of new challenges for you as its owner. The early days mean high-frequency care with basic language learning. The teen years bring greater intelligence and a more distinct personality. Eventually, you can progress to owning a pet that’s autonomous, requiring less care, but which has more fun gameplay options. And… Sweekar can also die if you neglect it.

In all of these senses, it feels remarkably true to the spirit of the original Tamagotchi, but with AI technology that could ultimately provide a more rewarding experience in the long term. Hopefully, it will inspire owners to keep it alive longer than the many little Tamagotchi chicks that perished due to lack of care.

If you want to get your hands on a Sweekar to bring some ’90s-inspired magic to a kid’s childhood (or if you’re just feeling nostalgic — I won’t judge), it will be available via Kickstarter later this year. You’ll need more than a £10 note to secure one, however. Sweekar will be priced at a far more substantial $150.