An HTTP status code of 403 denotes prohibited access. It signifies that although the server received your request, it denied your request to access or alter the requested resource. This can be because the owner of the website has put in place some restrictions or permissions that bar you from accessing particular files or pages. Another possibility is that the server configuration file has a mistake that prevents you from accessing the server. Unlike error 404, which indicates that the resource you requested does not exist, error 403 in gohelp.discovery.com is different.
Causes of Error 403
Numerous circumstances, both on the server side and the client side, might contribute to error 403. Some of the typical causes include:
- File or folder permission settings: The ability to read, write, or execute files or folders on the server is controlled by the file or folder permission settings. You could experience error 403 if the owner of the website mistakenly configured the permissions or purposefully blocked access to some resources.
- Wrong or damaged.htaccess file: This file, which controls how the server manages requests, is a configuration file for the server. Error 403 may be brought on by modifications you have made to the file, malware infection, or other issues.
- Missing Index Page: The homepage of a website is known as the index page and is typically titled index.html or index.php. When attempting to access the website directory, you can encounter error 403, which means the website does not have an index page or a different name.
- Faulty WordPress plugin: Error 403 may be brought on by a faulty WordPress plugin. Some plugins may conflict with one another or the server setup. This might occur if the plugins are out-of-date, incompatible, or improperly set up.
- Wrong IP address: For security purposes, certain websites may restrict access from specific IP addresses. You can encounter error 403 when attempting to access their website if your IP address is on their blacklist.
Common Error 403 messages and their meanings
The most general error code, 403 Forbidden, simply indicates that you are not authorized to access the resource you have requested. It doesn’t explain why or how to rectify it. But here are some common error messages.
- HTTP 403: This error is similar to 403 Forbidden, except it also mentions the request’s protocol. HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, which is the preferred method of communication between web browsers and servers.
- HTTP Error 403 – Forbidden: This message is similar to 403 Forbidden but adds the word “Error” to emphasize that something went wrong.
- HTTP Error 403.14 – Forbidden: This message is more specific and indicates that you are attempting to access a directory listing, which is prohibited by the server configuration.
- Error 403: This is a condensed form of 403 Forbidden that some websites may use to save time or space.4. You are not authorized to access [directory] on this server.
- Forbidden: This is a more thorough notification informing you about the directory or resource you are trying to access and that you lack the necessary authorization. It might also contain the URL or server name blocking your access.
- Error 403 – Forbidden: This is a different version of 403 Forbidden that separates the error number and the message with a dash rather than a colon
- 403 Forbidden Request Administratively Prohibited: You are attempting to reach a resource that is blocked by guidelines established by the website administrator, according to this more specific message. Your IP address, user agent, referrer, or other factors may be used as the basis for these regulations
- 403 Unauthorized Access Denied – You do not have the authorization to access: This error code is similar to 403 Forbidden, but it emphasizes that your access has been restricted by using the word “Access Denied” rather than “Forbidden.”.
How to fix gohelp.discovery.com Error 403
An HTTP status code of 403 indicates that you do not have the authorization to access a server’s resource or a web page. It typically occurs when the server configuration is problematic or when the website owner has established access limitations. You can try the following solutions to resolve this issue if you experience it when attempting to use gohelp.discovery.com, the support website for Discovery Communications’ GO apps and sites:
Update the page:
Reloading the page may sometimes fix an only momentary mistakes. To refresh, press Ctrl+R on a computer running Windows or Cmd+R on a Mac, or just click the Refresh button in the URL bar of your browser.
Verify the URL:
Verify that you entered the URL correctly and that it is free of errors and additional characters. Both the URL’s beginning and ending should be /hc/en-us. A proper URL would be https://gohelp.discovery.com/hc/en-us, but https://gohelp.discovery.com/hc/en-us/ is not.
Delete the cookies and cache in your browser:
You might be unable to view the page because your browser has outdated or faulty data saved in its memory. To get rid of any potential conflicts, you can erase the cache and cookies on your browser. To do this, go to https://gohelp.discovery.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403854510063-Supported-Browsers-Devices and follow the instructions for your browser.
Attempt a different device or browser:
If deleting your cache and cookies does not solve the issue, your browser or device settings may be at fault. If the problem still occurs, try using a different browser or device. Make sure your browser and device are supported by the list found here: https://gohelp.discovery.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403854510063-Supported-Browsers-Devices
Inquire with your TV provider:
You might need to link your TV provider account to the GO applications and websites to access locked, live, or on-demand programming to confirm your subscription. You may need to contact your TV provider to see if there are any problems with your account or service if you have already linked your account but are still receiving error 403.
You can reach Discovery Communications at:
You might need to get in touch with Discovery Communications for more help if none of the aforementioned measures are successful. Use this link to file a support request: https://gohelp.discovery.com/hc/en-us/requests/new. A few details regarding your problem are required from you, including your name, email address, TV provider, device model, app version, and error message, if available. Your inquiry will be attended to as quickly as possible by a support agent.
Additional methods to fix Error 403 on the Discovery Go app
You can try the following additional methods to resolve this issue if you experience it when trying to access the Discovery Go app, a streaming service that enables you to watch content from Discovery Communications’ channels:
Try a different device or restart yours:
In some cases, errors are transient, and they can be fixed by switching to a different device or restarting your current one. This could aid in removing any cache or memory problems that might obstruct the software. There are some steps that you can follow:
- STEP 1: Click on the Start menu.
- STEP 2: Click on the Power button and select Restart.
- STEP 3: Wait for your device to reboot and then launch the Discovery Go app again.
Clear your App cache and data:
To clear the app cache and data for the Discovery Go app, follow these steps for Android and iOS devices:
For Android:
- Open the “Settings” app on your Android device.
- Scroll down and tap on “Apps” or “Applications” or “App management,” depending on your device.
- Find and tap on the “Discovery Go” app in the list of installed apps.
- Tap on “Storage” or “Storage & Cache.”
- Tap on “Clear Cache” to clear only the cache.
- If you want to clear all the app data as well, tap on “Clear Data” or “Clear Storage.” Keep in mind that this will delete all saved information, such as login credentials and user preferences.
For iOS:
iOS does not allow you to clear the app cache separately. You will have to delete the app and reinstall it to clear its cache and data.
- Locate the “Discovery Go” app icon on your iOS device’s home screen.
- Press and hold the app icon until it starts wiggling.
- Tap on the “X” that appears on the app icon’s top corner.
- Confirm that you want to delete the app by tapping “Delete.”
- Go to the App Store and search for “Discovery Go.”
- Reinstall the app by tapping on the cloud icon or “Get” button.
After reinstalling the app, you will need to sign in again and reconfigure your preferences.
Conclusion
The ubiquitous and annoying error code 403 may prohibit you from using the Discovery Go app and watching your preferred programs. It’s not a permanent problem, though; it can be fixed. You can carry out the majority of the causes and fixes for this error without the need for technical knowledge. You might be able to fix the error and use the Discovery Go app without any trouble by using the tips and solutions we’ve offered in this post.
I am a technical author with over many years of experience in writing technical documentation for a variety of industries, including software, hardware, and telecommunications. With a background in Science and Technology, I have a deep understanding of technical concepts and is able to communicate them clearly and concisely for both technical and non-technical audiences.