401
SIP
401 Unauthorized
The request requires user authentication. The response includes a WWW-Authenticate header with a challenge for the realm.
On this page
When You See This Code
When making a request that requires Digest authentication. Common for REGISTER and INVITE requests to authenticated SIP trunks.
How to Fix
Resend the request with proper Authorization header containing valid credentials (Digest authentication).
Specification
Cross-Protocol Equivalents
Comparisons
Compare With
Guides
401 Unauthorized vs 403 Forbidden: When to Use Each
Security & Authentication
SIP Response Codes: Understanding VoIP Call Flow
Real-Time Protocols
SIP Call Flow: Understanding Session Setup
Real-Time Protocols
WebRTC Signaling with SIP and WebSocket
Real-Time Protocols
RFC 3261: SIP Protocol Deep Dive
Protocol Deep Dives
TLS 1.3: Faster, Simpler, More Secure
Protocol Deep Dives
Specifications
Glossary
Status Code
Request Method (HTTP Verb)
TLS Handshake
Authentication
TCP/IP
Port Number
NAT (Network Address Translation)
Socket
Request-Response Model
RFC (Request for Comments)
Connection-Oriented
Full-Duplex
SRV Record
SIP Dialog
Signaling
SIP Registrar
STUN (Session Traversal Utilities for NAT)
TURN (Traversal Using Relays around NAT)
SDP (Session Description Protocol)
SIP INVITE
SIP Proxy Server
SIP Redirect Server
SIP Transaction
SIP User Agent
SIP Trunk
RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol)
SRTP (Secure Real-time Transport Protocol)
SIP ACK
SIP BYE
SIP CANCEL
SIP OPTIONS
SIP SUBSCRIBE/NOTIFY
B2BUA (Back-to-Back User Agent)
SBC (Session Border Controller)
Codec Negotiation
SIP Response Classes
VoIP (Voice over IP)
Presence (SIP)
PBX (Private Branch Exchange)
MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication)
TLS Versions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SIP 401 Unauthorized?
The request requires user authentication. The response includes a WWW-Authenticate header with a challenge for the realm.
When do you see SIP 401 Unauthorized?
When making a request that requires Digest authentication. Common for REGISTER and INVITE requests to authenticated SIP trunks.
How to fix SIP 401 Unauthorized?
Resend the request with proper Authorization header containing valid credentials (Digest authentication).