You are clicking on your website link, expecting to see your homepage. However, instead of your beautiful design, you are greeted by the dreaded HostGator 403 forbidden error screen. The message usually reads: “403 Forbidden – You don’t have permission to access / on this server.”
This error stops your business in its tracks. Consequently, your traffic drops to zero because neither you nor your visitors can access the site.
The 403 error is different from a “Site Not Found” error. Specifically, it means your server is working, but it is explicitly refusing to let you in. It’s like a bouncer stopping you at the door because your ID is invalid. You can read more about HTTP status codes in the official WordPress Documentation.
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In this extensive guide, we will determine why HostGator servers throw this error. Furthermore, we will provide you with 5 proven, step-by-step methods to restore access to your site immediately.
Why the HostGator 403 Forbidden Error Happens
To fix the issue, you must understand the trigger. On HostGator’s shared hosting environment, security is strict. Therefore, any slight misconfiguration in your files can trigger a lockout.
Common Causes:
Incorrect File Permissions: Most commonly, your folders are set to “777” (insecure) or the server cannot read them. HostGator requires specific permission codes.
Corrupt .htaccess File: A plugin might have written a bad rule into this configuration file, blocking access.
Security Plugins: Plugins like Wordfence can accidentally ban your own IP address.
ModSecurity Rules: HostGator’s server-side firewall might flag your request as malicious.
Ideally, we will check these in order of likelihood, starting with the most common culprit: File Permissions.
Method 1: Fix Permissions to Solve HostGator 403 Forbidden Error
In the Linux environment that HostGator uses, every file and folder has a 3-digit “Permission Code” (e.g., 755, 644). If these numbers are wrong, the server will block access to prevent hacking.
Consequently, resetting these permissions is often the primary fix for the HostGator 403 forbidden error loop.
Step 1: Access HostGator cPanel
First, log in to your HostGator Portal and launch cPanel.
Step 2: Open File Manager
Next, scroll to the “Files” section and click File Manager. Navigate to your public_html folder (or the folder where your WordPress site lives).
Step 3: Check Folder Permissions
You will see a column labeled “Permissions”.
Folders (like
wp-content,wp-admin) must be set to 755.Files (like
index.php,wp-config.php) must be set to 644.
Step 4: Bulk Fix Permissions
If you see a folder set to 777 or something odd:
Right-click the folder.
Select Change Permissions.
Then, ensure the numeric value is 755.
Click Change Permissions.
Additionally, ensure the index.php file is set to 644. If it is missing or has the wrong permissions, the HostGator 403 forbidden error message will persist.
Method 2: Generate a Fresh .htaccess File
Your .htaccess file acts as a traffic controller. However, it is very fragile. If a plugin adds a typo to this file, the HostGator server will panic and throw a 403 error.
Therefore, regenerating this file is a critical step in the HostGator 403 forbidden error fix.
Step 1: Locate the File
In HostGator File Manager, look for .htaccess in your public_html folder.
Note: If you don’t see it, click Settings (top right) and check “Show Hidden Files (dotfiles)”.
Step 2: Disable the Old File
Right-click the file and select Rename. Change the name to .htaccess_old.
Immediately check your website. If it loads, you know the old file was the problem.
Step 3: Create a New File
Log in to your WordPress Dashboard (it should work now).
Go to Settings > Permalinks.
Simply click Save Changes at the bottom (you don’t need to change any settings).
As a result, WordPress will generate a fresh, clean .htaccess file, permanently resolving the HostGator 403 forbidden error conflict.
Method 3: Deactivate Plugins to Stop the 403 Error
Sometimes, a security plugin (like Wordfence, iThemes, or Sucuri) becomes too secure. For instance, it might flag your IP address as suspicious and block you from your own site.
Since you likely cannot access the WP Admin dashboard due to the HostGator 403 forbidden error, you must disable plugins manually.
Step 1: Navigate to Plugins Folder
In File Manager, go to wp-content.
Step 2: Rename the Folder
Find the folder named plugins. Right-click and Rename it to plugins_deactivated.
Step 3: Test the Site
Try to load your website.
If it works: One of your plugins is the culprit.
Next Steps: Rename the folder back to
plugins. Go inside, and rename individual plugin folders (e.g.,wordfencetowordfence_old) one by one until you find the bad one.
Method 4: Check ModSecurity on HostGator
HostGator uses a server-side firewall called ModSecurity. Occasionally, it mistakes legitimate actions (like saving a post with code snippets) as a hacking attempt. When this happens, it serves a HostGator 403 forbidden error page.
Unfortunately, you cannot disable this entirely on shared hosting easily, but you can check if it is the cause.
Step 1: Check cPanel ModSecurity
In cPanel, look for Security > ModSecurity.
Check if it is enabled for your domain.
Temporarily toggle it to Off.
Step 2: Verify Access
Check your site. If the site loads, ModSecurity is blocking you.
Warning: Do not leave this off permanently. It protects you from real hackers.
Solution: Turn it back ON, then contact HostGator Chat Support. Ask them to “Whitelist my ModSecurity rule for the HostGator 403 forbidden error issue.” They can check the logs and whitelist the specific rule that was triggered.
Method 5: Restore the Index.php File
Finally, a silly but common reason for the HostGator 403 forbidden error is a missing index.php file.
If you accidentally deleted this file, or if a malware cleanup script removed it, the server doesn’t know what to load. HostGator protects directory browsing by default, so if it can’t find an index file, it shows “403 Forbidden” instead of a list of your files.
Step 1: Check Root Directory
Look in public_html. Do you see index.php?
Step 2: Upload a Fresh Copy
If it is missing:
Download a fresh copy of WordPress from WordPress.org.
Extract the zip file on your computer.
Upload only the
index.phpfile to your HostGator server via File Manager.
Conclusion on Fixing the HostGator 403 Forbidden Error
The HostGator 403 forbidden error message is intimidating, but it is purely a permission issue. Ultimately, your server is trying to protect you, but it got a little overzealous.
By verifying your file permissions (755/644), regenerating your .htaccess, and checking for ModSecurity blocks, you can convince the server to let you back in.
Summary of Fixes:
Permissions: Set folders to 755 and files to 644.
.htaccess: Rename the file to force WordPress to create a new one.
Plugins: Deactivate security plugins manually.
ModSecurity: Toggle off temporarily to test firewall blocks.
Index File: Ensure
index.phpexists.
Still Locked Out? If you have tried all 5 methods and still face the HostGator 403 forbidden error, the issue might be an IP ban at the data center level. 👉 Contact Us Here for a professional server audit, or check out our WordPress Service Plans to prevent downtime like this in the future.
