Topics Map > OS and Desktop Applications > Applications > Browsers
Web Browsers - How to Fix a "Bad Request" Error
This document describes what to do if you receive a 400 Bad Request error message upon loading a website.
Problem
When you attempt to access a website, you may sometimes instead receive a "Bad Request" error message where the website content should have loaded. This error often contains the number "400" and may include additional text, such as "Your browser sent a request that this server could not understand. Size of a request header field exceeds server limit."
Solution
First, check the website URL you entered to make sure it is correct. If the web address appears to be entered correctly, then the issue can usually be resolved by clearing your browser's cache and cookies.
For instructions on performing these steps, click on the appropriate link for the web browser you are using:
Desktop Web Browsers
Browser | Windows Document Link | macOS Document Link |
---|---|---|
![]() Google Chrome | Chrome (Win) - Clearing Cache and Cookies | Chrome (Mac) - Clearing Cache and Cookies |
![]() Firefox | Firefox 57+ (Win) - Clearing Cache and Cookies | Firefox 21+ (Mac) - Clearing Cache and Cookies |
![]() Safari | Safari (Win) - Clearing Cache and Cookies | Safari 10.0.1+ (Mac) - Clearing Cache and Cookies |
![]() Internet Explorer 9, 10, & 11 | Internet Explorer 9, 10 and 11 (Win) - Clearing Cache and Cookies | None |
![]() Microsoft Edge | Edge (Win) - Clearing Cache and Cookies | None |
![]() Opera | Opera (Win) - Clearing Cache and Cookies | Opera 28.0 (Mac) - Clearing Cache and Cookies |
![]() New Microsoft Edge | New Edge (Win 10, 8, 7, MacOS) - Clearing Cache and Cookies | New Edge (Win 10, 8, 7, MacOS) - Clearing Cache and Cookies |
Mobile Web Browsers
Operating System | Document Link |
---|---|
![]() Android | Android (Jellybean) - Clearing Cache and Cookies on Google Chrome |
![]() iOS | iOS - Clearing Cache and Cookies |
![]() webOS | HP webOS 2.x - Clearing Cache and Cookies |
![]() Windows Phone | Internet Explorer (Windows Phone) - Clearing Cache and Cookies |
Legacy Versions
Windows
Browser | Document Link |
---|---|
![]() Internet Explorer 6 | Internet Explorer 6 (Win) - Clearing Cache and Cookies |
![]() Internet Explorer 7 | Internet Explorer 7 (Win) - Clearing Cache and Cookies |
![]() Internet Explorer 8 | Internet Explorer 8 (Win) - Clearing Cache and Cookies |
![]() Firefox 3.5 | Firefox 3.5 (Win) - Clearing Cache and Cookies |
MacOS
Browser | Document Link |
---|---|
![]() Firefox 3.5 - 20 | Firefox 3.5 - 20 (Mac) - Clearing Cache and Cookies |
![]() Opera 10.50 | Opera 10.50+ (Mac) - Clearing Cache and Cookies |
![]() Safari 5 | Safari 5 (Mac) - Clearing Cache and Cookies |
![]() Safari 5.1 - 7.9 | Safari 5.1 - 7.9 (Mac) - Clearing Cache and Cookies |
![]() Safari 8.0+ | Safari 8.0 - 10.0 (Mac) - Clearing Cache and Cookies |