HTTP

HTTP 413 Content Too Large vs 526 Invalid SSL Certificate

HTTP 413 (Content Too Large) is a 4xx Client Error response, while 526 (Invalid SSL Certificate) is a 5xx Server Error response. 413 indicates that the request payload exceeds the server's size limit. In contrast, 526 means that cloudflare-specific. The origin's SSL certificate could not be validated.

Description

The request payload exceeds the server's size limit.

When You See It

When uploading files that exceed the server's maximum upload size.

How to Fix

Reduce the payload size. Check server limits (Nginx: client_max_body_size, Apache: LimitRequestBody).

Description

Cloudflare-specific. The origin's SSL certificate could not be validated.

When You See It

When using Cloudflare Full (Strict) mode with an invalid origin certificate.

How to Fix

Install a valid SSL certificate on the origin, or use Cloudflare Origin CA certificate.

Key Differences

1.

413 is a 4xx Client Error response, while 526 is a 5xx Server Error response.

2.

HTTP 413: The request payload exceeds the server's size limit.

3.

HTTP 526: Cloudflare-specific. The origin's SSL certificate could not be validated.

4.

You encounter 413 when when uploading files that exceed the server's maximum upload size.

5.

You encounter 526 when when using Cloudflare Full (Strict) mode with an invalid origin certificate.

When to Use Which

For 413 (Content Too Large): Reduce the payload size. Check server limits (Nginx: client_max_body_size, Apache: LimitRequestBody). For 526 (Invalid SSL Certificate): Install a valid SSL certificate on the origin, or use Cloudflare Origin CA certificate.

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