HTTP 302 Found vs 401 Unauthorized
HTTP 302 (Found) is a 3xx Redirection response, while 401 (Unauthorized) is a 4xx Client Error response. 302 indicates that the resource temporarily resides at a different URL. The client should continue using the original URL for future requests. In contrast, 401 means that the request requires user authentication. The response includes a WWW-Authenticate header indicating the authentication scheme.
Description
The resource temporarily resides at a different URL. The client should continue using the original URL for future requests.
When You See It
During A/B testing, temporary maintenance pages, or geo-based redirects.
How to Fix
Follow the Location header. Note: browsers may change POST to GET on redirect.
Description
The request requires user authentication. The response includes a WWW-Authenticate header indicating the authentication scheme.
When You See It
When accessing a protected resource without credentials or with expired tokens.
How to Fix
Include valid authentication credentials (API key, Bearer token, Basic auth) in the Authorization header.
Key Differences
302 is a 3xx Redirection response, while 401 is a 4xx Client Error response.
HTTP 302: The resource temporarily resides at a different URL. The client should continue using the original URL for future requests.
HTTP 401: The request requires user authentication. The response includes a WWW-Authenticate header indicating the authentication scheme.
You encounter 302 when during A/B testing, temporary maintenance pages, or geo-based redirects.
You encounter 401 when when accessing a protected resource without credentials or with expired tokens.
When to Use Which
For 302 (Found): Follow the Location header. Note: browsers may change POST to GET on redirect. For 401 (Unauthorized): Include valid authentication credentials (API key, Bearer token, Basic auth) in the Authorization header.