What is a Proxy Error? [Answered!]

A proxy error is an HTTP status code that occurs when a server cannot successfully complete your request due to a problem with the proxy server. If you want to know how to solve them, please keep reading.

If you browse online using proxies but fail to get the data, it could be a proxy error problem. Knowing proxy error codes can help your browsing and scraping of data seamlessly easy. Without proper proxy management, you may find yourself with frequent proxy error codes. Read on to find out what proxy errors are.


What Is a Proxy Error?

What Is a Proxy Error

HTTP errors are the main reason for proxy errors. Proxy errors arise because of an unsuccessful request from your server to another web server. Proxy errors come in codes that have different meanings, and there are several of them. Every error code comes with a different solution, therefore, you need to understand them.


Common Error Code Classes

five error response codes with HTTP

Typically, there are five error response codes with HTTP. The first numbers indicate the classification of a response. Read on to learn the five HTTP status codes.

  • 1xx code class – (Informational response codes): It means that the server is in receipt of your request and it is being processed.
  • 2xx code class – (Accepted request): The request received is successful
  • 3xx code class – (Redirection response): Further actions are needed for your request to go through
  • 4xx code class (Client error): Your request cannot be executed because of request errors
  • 5xx code class (Server error): A valid request could not be completed by the server

Let’s go through each of these proxy error codes in detail below.

1xx Informational Error Codes

1xx Informational Error Codes

These response codes show up when the server has received your request, although they're rarely displayed. The following are the common 1xx error codes.

  • 100 – Go ahead: This says that your request is duly received, and you can continue to send the rest of the request to the server.
  • 101 – Change protocol: The server has received your request. Therefore, it sends this code to show acknowledgment.
  • 102 – Processing: This happens when you send a complex request because the server may take some time to respond. So, it sends a 102 response code to indicate that it's processing the request to prevent time-out errors.
  • 103 – Early hints: The code indicates that the server has not started processing your request. This means that the browser is yet to process your HTTP requests.

2xx Successful Response Code

204 - No content

Response codes in this category mostly indicate that your request to the server has been successful. Here’s more to this proxy error category.

  • 201 – Completed: This response code indicates that your request is successful and a resource created based on your request. For instance, this is what happens when you try to log in to an account.
  • 202 – Acknowledged: You see this code when a request you’ve sent to the server is yet to be processed. It shows that your request has been received but is yet to be processed.
  • 203 – Non-authoritative data: Your request has been received but the information doesn't come from the actual server. The data collected is from third-party servers.
  • 204 – No content: This means that your request is successfully processed, but there's not enough information.
  • 205 – Reset content: Same as code 204, the request is well received, but there’s no content. In addition, it tells you to reset the document view. If, for instance, you will fill and submit a form online, thereafter, the server may ask your browser to remove it.
  • 206 – Partial content: This is where you get only part of the information you requested. This may happen if you have used various streams to get the data.

3xx Redirection Code Error

3xx Redirection Code Error

This classification of error codes indicates that you must provide more information for your request to be successful. Here is more to it.

  • 300 – Multiple choices: This happens when your URL gets more than one feedback. Therefore, when your scraper doesn’t know the resource to take, a 300 error code is sent back. To fix the problem, ensure that your URI points to one resource and then inspect the HTTP headers.
  • 301 – Permanently moved resource: The error applies when the original URL is permanently redirected. This means that the user agent has been sent to a different URL. Fortunately, most browsers and scrapers can follow through to the new URL.
  • 302 – Temporary resource movement: Just like code 301, it means your URL is temporarily redirected to another after making a request.
  • 303 – See other: This response code tells that the resource you want is in another URL. To reach it, use a different URI with a “GET” request.
  • 304 – Not modified: It tells you that your response is not modified which helps reduce the loading time of your web crawler. It doesn’t have to recheck the status.
  • 305 – Use proxy: This error code prompts you to use a proxy server to access the information requested. Some browsers show you the server address of the proxy, but others such as Mozilla don’t.
  • 307 – Temporary redirect: It shows that your request has been switched to a temporary URI. The location can be shown by the header. Preceding requests will, therefore, be directed back to the original URL since it is only temporary.
  • 308 – Permanent redirect: The code indicates that the information has permanently been redirected to another URL. All other incoming resources will be set to the new URI.

4xx Client Error Code

4xx Client Error Code

As the name suggests, error codes in this category show that there’s a problem on your side, and there’s not much you can do. However, failing to attend to such errors as a website owner may not be good for your SEO efforts.

  • 400 – Bad request: This generic code tells you that the server cannot respond to your requests. The reasons are mostly undefined and there can be several of them.
  • 401 – Unauthorized error: If you’ve tried to access your social media accounts from a different device, you mostly see this kind of error response. You’ll need to give authorization for the new device to access it.
  • 403 – Forbidden: The server has identified your request but denies you access. To avoid this error, ensure that your proxy is working properly. You can also change your proxy's location as well as the ports.
  • 404 – Undetected: This is usually an annoying error code because you cannot reach the intended website. Your request may be correct, but the crawlers and bots cannot reach the website. It means that your URL may have been changed, incorrect, or removed.
  • 405 – Procedure not allowed: The server you sent your request to identifies it but decides to disable it. So, your browser will not bring you any results. Countercheck your URL before requesting again.
  • 406 – Not acceptable: It means that the server is not getting any answers that match your headers. This issue is related to recent updates or URL issues. You’ll get a list of potential results for you to pick the most appropriate one.
  • 407 – Proxy authentification needed: For your request to go through, you will need to authenticate your proxy. It happens when your crawler doesn’t have your proxy’s IP address. Recheck your proxy connections and ensure you have entered the right credentials.
  • 408 – Timeout: This occurs when the server has not responded to your request in time. This can be due to slow internet so, check your connection and refresh the page.
  • 409 – Conflict: It shows a clash between the request and the resource available. The error code contains enough data for you to know the problem and fix it.
  • 410 – Gone: If the resource requested is no longer available in the server requested, you will get this error code.
  • 411 – Length required: Your request is rejected because the content length is not enough.
  • 412 – Failed preconditions: This error code comes about when required preconditions are filled incorrectly.
  • 413 – Large payload: When your request is too big, the server may not respond to it, hence, this response code. Try smaller requests like uploading smaller files.
  • 414 – Long URI: A long URI may prompt the server to deny the request. It may also tell that the website is under attack or has security issues.
  • 429 – Too many requests: There are too many requests from the same IP address. Your behavior is starting to look like a bot and not a person. To solve such an issue, use rotating proxies.

5xx Server Error

5xx Server Error

Error codes in this category indicate that it’s the server that has a problem. Not the client. Your request is properly done but the server won’t respond to it. Let's look at some of the errors in this category.

  • 500 – Internal server error: It shows that the server has stopped responding to your request because of an internal bug. You may need to try later
  • 501 – Not implemented: Here, the server does not recognize your way of making requests, so they can’t be fulfilled. You can try clearing your cookies or contacting your server for support.
  • 502 – Bad gateway: This happens if the server you’re trying to reach is a gateway or proxy to another server. An invalid response from another server may bring such an error response code. To fix it, try and clear your cookies and cache files or ditch your proxy server and make the request without it.
  • 503 – Unavailable service: The error code shows that the server you're requesting is unavailable. This is probably because the server has downtime or there’s an overload of requests. Your proxy can also be blocked if detected by the website, therefore, try rotating it to avoid the issue.
  • 504 – Gateway timeout: The server is acting as a proxy or gateway and cannot get the results on time. Recheck your connection to the server to fix the problem.
  • 505 – Unsupported HTTP version: The server can’t respond because your request doesn’t match its version of HTTP protocol.
  • 507 – Insufficient storage: It means the server cannot process your request because of insufficient space.
  • 510 – Missing extensions: The server can’t proceed with your request because of unsupported extensions.

How to Fix Different Types of Proxy Errors?

How to Fix Different Types of Proxy Errors

There are various methods you can use to fix proxy errors. Get open-source and free proxy managers for use in rotating your proxies. Read on to see know how to fix proxy errors.

Lower the Number of Requests

Too many server requests from the same IP address may look fishy. Your actions will start looking like a bot leading to the denial of requests. Dela the requests to avoid getting errors from the server.

Use Residential Proxies

Use Residential Proxies

Unlike datacenter proxies, residential proxies come with a big pool of proxies that can be rotated to avoid detection. They may be more expensive to use but they rarely get discovered.

Enhance Your IP Rotation

As explained at the beginning of this section, a proxy manager is a great tool to have. It will automatically allow you to rotate proxies while controlling your scraping sessions. It helps to minimize too many requests using the same IP address.

Get a Good Web Scraper

Good Web Scraper

As you work on the proxy issues, ensure you have the right scraper for the job. A good web scrapper has minimal errors and will bypass any restrictions put up by websites.

Get in Touch With Your Proxy Provider

Proxy providers sometimes have codes that can’t be found on Google. Therefore, to make it easier, contact your proxy provider and ask for help with the errors.


Conclusion

The list of proxy codes provided here is the most common one you can find as you surf the internet or scrap for data. If you’re getting other proxy errors not discussed here, try and research them or contact your proxy provider. Remember to always try to rotate your proxies to avoid getting blocked from websites.

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