How to Fix Error 1020_ Access Denied

You open a webpage and see the following alert, “Error 1020: Access Denied,” instead of the content you intend to view. That type of problem can happen on any website that is secured with Cloudflare when it determines that your request may potentially be harmful to the website and/or content. You received this error message, and you cannot view the page, because Cloudflare points that your activity violated or broke one of its security rules.

The error sounds technical or complicated, but the message error is usually based on a pretty simple reason – typically your IP address , browser, or network preferences currently being used triggered the Cloudflare firewall rules. Error code: 1020, Access Denied can be a typical error message that can occur with sites and content, that utilize Cloudflare to protect the site. This error will block users for many reasons, such as you are likely using a VPN, maybe you are accessing from a country that may be blocked, or it could just be due to something as minor as the browser. 

In this guide you will see a few super simple ways to troubleshoot or bypass the 1020 error message so you can access the website without an error again. If you are a website owner, or just a regular user you will see practical and/or valuable suggestions that will work.

What Is Error 1020 Access Denied?

Error 1020: Access Denied is an error displayed to web users and the web browser after the original request to the (website) server has violated one of Cloudflare Firewall rules for that specific website. It is NOT an indication of a site crashing or the internet being down, it means the website security system purposely blocked that request.

Error code 1020: Access Denied, will usually only display when you visit a website that is using Cloudflare that is blocking you from accessing a site based the Cloudflare firewall rules. It restricts your access to webpages whenever your behavior or IP address violates any unique limitations set by the site owner. This could happen from accessing a certain area, making too many requests at once, or attempted browsing with a proven suspicious browser configuration.

This is part of access limitation enforcement that Cloudflare offers. The service does its checking of all requests and the associated limits in real-time requests. If your request matches a block condition or limitation to be blocked even by mistake, Cloudflare can deny it and offer this error. Most of the time it is in association with your IP address being blocked or shut down as inappropriate.

Amongst the causes of Error 1020Error 1020: Access Denied, is typically presented for a specific action or methodologies taken which causes the user to violate the access rules of a site which uses Cloudflare to deny the user access. The important part of fixing this, is finding the cause of the denial, which can help ‘fix’ the problem.

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Common Causes of Error 1020

Error 1020: Access Denied is often triggered by specific actions or settings that go against the access rules set by a website using Cloudflare. Identifying the cause is the first step in resolving it.

Violation of Cloudflare Firewall Rules

Websites protected by Cloudflare can boost website speed, which utilizes firewall rules that filter traffic based on related parameters. These parameters had defined requests at certain intervals, their URLs, any identifying custom headers, etc. If your request violates or matches a dictionary of either a block condition or violation, then Cloudflare will additionally deny your request. This is one of the most likely reasons for a request being blocked or a violation being caught.

IP Address Blacklisted

Cloudflare maintains records of IP behavior. If your IP address is marked for spam, abuse, or suspicious activity, it may be blocked automatically. In some cases, the site owner may have manually blacklisted specific IP ranges. This restriction is not always related to your activity; it can happen if you share an IP with others who triggered firewall rules.

Browser Issues or Incompatible Extensions

Browser configurations or certain extensions can modify your requests. For instance, user-agent header extensions or cookie blockers can cause rule violations. If Cloudflare recognizes this as abnormal behavior, it may block access. It may help to switch browsers or disable certain extensions to verify what is occurring.

Surfing with a VPN or Proxy

Using a VPN or proxy to access the site may result in an error based on Cloudflare’s detection of unsafe usage. Some sites will even block access from all VPNs to prevent bad user behavior. Even legitimate users can be detected as suspicious users with an IP address shared by multiple other VPN users accessing the same site.

Server Misconfiguration

Server Misconfigurations Sometimes the issue is the website itself. Cloudflare may be misconfigured; the access rules may be outdated, or the settings are too strict for a legitimate user to access the site.

How to Fix Error 1020: Access Denied

Understanding the underlying cause of the blocked request is the first step toward resolving the error, which we can fix with one of the following methods. Follow these methods one by one to troubleshoot the issue. Each of these methods will target some specific potential reason for the blocked request.

Method 1: Clear Your Browser Cache and Cookies

Clearing your Browser Cache and Cookies can possible to experience Error 1020: Access Denied when your browser is sending outdated headers due to old cache files or corrupted cookies that trigger a violation of the rule. Cloudflare-protected websites regularly update their firewall group rules, which can mean the data previously cached does not match what is currently permitted to access a site.

To eliminate the cached data in any browser, like Google Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the upper right corner of your browser. Next, Settings, Privacy and security and then Clear browsing data. From the new options available, click “Cookies and other site data,” in addition to “Cached images and files,” and finally Confirm by clicking the “Clear data” button:

delete browsing data


After you finish, go back to the website and see if access has been determined.

Method 2: Disable VPN, Proxy, or Anonymizers

Cloudflare frequently blocks VPN or proxy traffic due to the potential for abuse. If you utilize a VPN, turn it off and refresh the website. The same process applies if you are utilizing a browser extension or third-party tool hiding or masking your IP address from the site:

VPN


These applications or tools have the potential to trigger firewall rules initiated by the site owner, and if you access the website in its original form through the primary IP, you are more likely to pass the security check.

Method 3: Try a Different Browser or Device

Occasionally, it may be your current browser that is causing an issue. If you cannot get the site to load, try a different browser (such as Firefox, Edge, or Safari) to load the site. You can also use a mobile device or tablet to load the site or utilize a different device. A good method is to open the site in incognito or private mode, disabling some extensions that may be causing an issue with the page request. If the error does not show on the other browser or device, you will know your original browser needs adjustments. Understand about the Edge computing vs Cloud Computing to be precise about the browsing choices.

Method 4: Verify Your IP Address

Your IP address could be blacklisted or flagged due to previous activities or usage with other users. First, you need to find out what your current IP address is. Once you have your IP address, check it against a blacklist checking tool to see if it is blacklisted on a blocklist. If your IP is listed that may be the reason you are experiencing the access denial.If you have a dynamic IP address, you can restart your router, and you may get a new IP address. If you have a static IP address, you have to contact your Internet service provider or switch networks.

Method 5: Contact the Website Owner or Support

Contact the Website Owner or SupportIf you have tried all the above steps and you still get the error message pop up on the site, the next best step is to contact the website owner or support team. If the site does have a contact page or email address on their homepage, about page, or some other page, start there. 

When you contact them, be sure to state what the problem is and share your IP address.For example, a simple email could read: “I am trying to access your website and get the message ‘Error 1020: Access Denied’. My IP address is [insert IP address]. Can you please look it over or allow me access?” Most website support teams will review the block and adjust the firewall.

Conclusion

The Error 1020: Access Denied page shows itself when Cloudflare has blocked your access to a website based on its firewall rules or policies. The access block could have occurred for several reasons, including that the visitor’s IP blocked, the use of a VPN or a proxy, your browser, or the website’s firewall policy. This error is common on websites that have Cloudflare as their security, but it is very easy to troubleshoot for solutions.

To resolve Access Denied error code 1020, you can first clear your browser history, cache, and cookies. The next step would be to disable any VPN or proxy service you are using. If possible, try accessing the website in question from a different web browser or device entirely. Check the status of your IP and reach out to the website owner if needed. If you are the owner of the website, check your Cloudflare firewall settings to investigate any blocked visitors. By following these straightforward steps, you will be able to fix the issue, and minimize seeing the error message in the future.

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FAQ

What does Error 1020: Access Denied mean?
Why is Cloudflare blocking me from accessing the site?
Can my browser extensions trigger Error 1020?
How can I fix Error 1020 fast?
Will turning off my VPN or Proxy resolve the error?
What if changing my browser does not resolve the issue?
Can I request to be unblocked from a site showing Error 1020?

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