The 405 error code stands for Method Not Allowed. The page or endpoint you reached is real, but the server will not accept the kind of action your browser or app used on it. Every web request carries a method, such as GET to read a page, POST to send a form, PUT to replace something and DELETE to remove it.
When the method does not match what the address supports, the server answers with 405 and is supposed to list the allowed ones in an Allow header. Compare that with a 404 Not Found, which says no page lives at the address at all. A regular visitor rarely causes a 405. It usually comes from a broken form, a bad link or a server rule set by the site owner.
Common causes
1Form sends POST to a page that only allows GET
How to tellError appears right after you press submit or send on a form
What fixes itOwner fixes the form target or enables POST on that address
2Server or firewall rule blocks the method
How to tellWorks on one page but PUT or DELETE actions fail everywhere
What fixes itOwner updates the server rules to allow the needed methods
3Wrong address used in an app or API call
How to tellDeveloper calls the list address with DELETE, or a detail address with POST
What fixes itCheck the API docs for the right address and method pair
4Redirect changed POST into GET
How to tellSite moved from http to https or to a new address and forms stopped working
What fixes itOwner uses a redirect that keeps the method, or updates the form address
5Static file hosting that accepts reads only
How to tellForm posts to a plain HTML page and fails
What fixes itPoint the form at a script or service that handles submissions
6Old cached page with a stale form
How to tellFresh private window works but your normal browser fails
What fixes itEmpty the browser cache and cookies for that website, then reload
How to fix it, step by step
Go back and reload the form page
Return to the page that has the form and refresh it with Ctrl + F5. An old copy of the page can point to an address that has since changed. Fill in the form again and send it.
Do not reload the error page itself
The error page is the reply to a send action. Reloading it tries the same blocked method again. Start from the normal page instead of pressing refresh on the error.
Open the address by typing it in the bar
Type or paste the link in the address bar and press Enter. That sends a plain GET request. If the page opens, the issue is limited to the form or button that failed.
Try a private window
Use a private or incognito tab to separate saved data and extensions from the real fault. If the action works there, clear that site's cache and cookies, or switch off browser extensions one by one.
Use the other route to do the same task
Many services let you complete a task in the app and on the website. If the website form returns 405, try the app or another page that offers the same function.
Report it to the site with details
Send the owner the page address, what you pressed and the time. A 405 is almost always a fault they can see and fix quickly once they know where.
Owners: compare method and address
Check which methods your server allows for that exact address. Look at the form's
methodandactionvalues, and at any route, firewall or proxy rule that limits methods.
405 error code means: the request type is wrong
Think of a shop counter that sells tickets but does not take parcels. The counter exists, so it is not a missing page, but your request type is not on the menu. The 405 error code means the same for web addresses. The server must also send an Allow header that names the methods it does accept, which a developer can read in the browser's network tab.
A contact form shows 405 Method Not Allowed after you press Send. The page the form posts to only serves content and was never set up to receive a message. Your text did not reach anyone, so use another contact option.
405 compared with 404, 400 and 501
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 404 | No page at this address |
| 400 | The request was badly formed |
| 405 | Address exists, this method is not allowed on it |
| 501 | The server does not support this method at all |
The last two are easy to mix up. Read the guide to 501 Not Implemented and the one for 400 Bad Request, or browse the HTTP status codes hub.
The 405 error code in a REST API
Here a 405 means you used a method that the endpoint does not support, for example sending DELETE to an address that only lists items. Look in the documentation for the exact pair of method and address, confirm there is no stray slash or version prefix in the address, and read the Allow header in the reply. If you call the API through a gateway or proxy, test the service directly as well, since a gateway rule may be the part blocking the method.
Preventing 405 errors on your own site
- Match form method and route whenever you add or rename a page.
- Keep redirects method safe by using redirects that preserve POST data when a form address moves.
- Test after server changes because new security rules often switch off methods quietly.
- Show a helpful message that tells visitors what to do instead of only the number.
Only change server rules if you are the site owner or have their permission. Allowing every method on every address is not safe.
Frequently asked questions
What does the 405 error code mean?
It means the server knows the address but does not allow the method used on it, such as sending a form to a page that only displays content.
Is error code 405 caused by my browser?
Rarely. A cached old page or a faulty extension can contribute, but most cases come from how the site or form is set up. A private window test tells you which.
What does error code 405 mean for an API call?
The endpoint exists but not for that HTTP method. Check the documentation for the allowed methods and compare them with the Allow header returned in the response.
How is a 405 different from a 404?
With a 404 the address is missing. With a 405 the address is there but the action you tried on it is refused.
Can I fix a 405 error as a visitor?
Sometimes. Reload the form page, clear the cache or use the app. If the form itself is broken, only the site owner can repair it.