If you’ve ever encountered a browser error message known as “400 Bad Request”, you know how frustrating it can be. This error occurs when your browser cannot communicate with a website, and it’s commonly accompanied by the lines “Request Header or Cookie Too Large.”
This error code, commonly known as the 400 Bad Request error, often pops up when a website or server cannot process a request due to a problem with the data sent by the browser.
But don’t worry; you can quickly fix this issue by following simple steps. In this article, I will explain what this error message means and share solutions to resolve the “Request Header or Cookie” error .
Let’s dive in!
What Does “Request Header Or Cookie Too Large” Mean?
To understand what the “Request Header Or Cookie Too Large” error message means, it is essential first to explain what HTTP status codes are. HTTP status codes are three-digit numbers that take different values to define an HTTP response’s outcome.
A 400 error message belongs to a subset of HTTP status codes. In particular, it suggests that the client’s request was incorrect, preventing the server from processing it.
If the information in the header or cookie exceeds the server’s limit, it will display a 400 error message with the “request header or cookie too large” message.
Check out the section below to better understand what could be causing this error to show up on your screen.
Causes Behind “Request Header Or Cookie Too Large” Error message:
The “request header or cookie” error message appears when the data sent to a server exceeds its limit. When you visit any website, your browser sends data, such as cookies and header information, to the server to retrieve the requested page.
If the cookie and header information’s combined size is too large for the server to handle, you’ll see the error message. Here are some common causes behind this error:
Browser Cookies And Cache
Accumulated cookies and cache files in your browser can take up too much space and make the server unable to process the request.
A Corrupt Browser
Your browser may have a glitch, making sending the data within the required limit impossible.
Large File Size
If you are trying to upload a too-large file, the server may be unable to process the data.
DNS Cache Issues
The Domain Name System (DNS) cache that your computer stores may be corrupted or outdated.
Server Restrictions
Certain servers have limits on the amount of data they can accept, and when this limit is exceeded, the 400 bad request error code appears.
Five Ways To Fix ‘Request Header Or Cookie Too Large’ Error Code:
#1. Clear Browser Cookies And Cache
Deleting the cookies and cache files can solve the error caused by excess data in the browser.
Follow the instructions below to clear the browser cache and delete the cookies in Google Chrome:
- Click the three vertical dots in the upper right corner of your browser.
- Select the “More Tools” option in the drop-down menu and click “Clear browsing data.”
- A new window will open, asking you to select the browsing data options you want to delete.
- Pick “cookies and other site data” and “cached images and files.”
- Finally, select “all time” as the time range and click “clear data”
Reload the website and check if the error message persists. This was the required simple fix if the website loads without the error.
#2. Reset Your Browser
If clearing your cookies doesn’t solve the problem, try resetting your browser to its default settings. Resetting your browser will fix any glitches that may be causing the error.
To reset your browser, open Chrome settings and select the “reset settings” option at the bottom of the page.
Next, select the restore settings option. This option will reset your browser and turn off all Chrome extensions, but you won’t lose bookmarks, browser history, and saved passwords.
Reload the website and check if the error message has been resolved.
#3. Restart Your Device and Other Hardware
Restarting your computer, modem, and router helps solve connection problems between your browser and the server.
Most routers offer instructions on their website to reset the device. It typically involves shutting down the router, waiting 30 seconds, and restarting the device. Below are instructions from Verizon on the same.
#4. Flush DNS Cache
Flushing your DNS cache can help your computer refresh its data and ensure you access the most updated website information.
To flush your DNS cache on Windows OS, open the command prompt. Type “ipconfig /flushdns” and press enter.
To flush your DNS cache on a MacBook, open the terminal. Type “sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder” and press enter.
If the error message disappeared after you flushed the DNS cache, it means your DNS cache was the cause behind the error message. If the error code persists, read on to try the solution below.
#5. Contact the Site Owner To Report The Error
If none of the above solutions work, you may need to contact the site owner and inform them about the error message you see. Although 400 is a client-side error code, the website could be having technical difficulties on its end.
Conclusion: Final Thoughts
Error messages such as ‘Request Header Or Cookie Too Large’ can be annoying. Especially if you urgently need to access a website.
I hope this guide helps you understand everything you need to know to fix the error and return online immediately.
The solutions above are simple and don’t require much technical knowledge. Remember to try all the fixes mentioned above, such as clearing your browser cookies, flushing your DNS cache, and restarting your devices.
If none work, try contacting the website admin and ask them to help you resolve the issue.
Check out this blog post if you want to fix another HTTP error, error 429: too many requests.
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Nirali has over a decade of experience working in marketing with startups in a variety of sectors, including e-commerce, ed-tech, and SaaS. She has a keen understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing early-stage companies and a track record of developing effective content strategies that drive growth and engagement.
Thank you so much. The first solution worked for me, I’m so relieved.
Thank you! I kept on clearing my cookies but I did not select all the time. The moment I did it worked. Thank you again!
Thanks
l need to clear header or cooker