Using the Cloudflare CDN on a WordPress site is a sure way to make content load faster and more securely from different locations around the world.
However, when using it, some problems may occur, such as error 1020: access denied, which causes the website to be unavailable to users who try to access it.
This type of problem compromises the website’s performance because when one or more users try to access it, it is not possible to load it. That makes Google understand there is a flaw in the page loading speed, which harms its ranking.
But before stating that the problem is really on the server, it is necessary to evaluate some settings on the computer, as there is a possibility that the problem is local.
To help you identify this flaw, we made this post, in which we will show:
What is Error 1020 Access Denied?
Error 1020 Access Denied happens when you violate a firewall rule on a site protected by Cloudflare. Basically, your connection request is blocked after you try to directly access an endpoint that is protected.
All error messages that start with 1xxx refer to connection problems on sites that use the Cloudflare proxy.
But before going into detail about what the error 1020 means, let’s talk briefly about using CDNs. They are a resource used to improve the performance of access to the website.
In practice, there are copies of the website’s files spread over the various servers that are part of the CDN. Thus, the user will be connected to the server that is closest to their location.
Besides increasing performance, Cloudflare also offers some security features that help protect the website from cyber attacks. Among them, the DDoS attack, when several simultaneous accesses to the page occur, either by real users or by so-called zombie computers.
Why does Error 1020 happen?
Some situations can cause this error to occur.
One of them is when the CDN understands that the IP address that tries to establish the connection with the website is marked in the internal settings to be blocked. Thus, the CDN does not allow the connection, as it identifies a risk to the site.
It is worth mentioning that Cloudflare uses cookies, which are filed on the computer to store varied information about the communication with the page and offer greater security to the WordPress site.
Therefore, there may be some conflicts regarding the use of these files that make access unavailable.
How to fix Error 1020: Access Denied?
The purpose of error 1020 is to protect the website from unwanted users. However, it is possible to block an IP address that does not really represent danger.
Therefore, before contacting the provider, it is important to consider whether there is a local occurrence that interferes with the functioning of the website. Check below what factors can cause this error.
1. Find out if the browser allows the use of cookies
As mentioned, Cloudflare uses cookies to control users’ access to the website. Therefore, it is important to check in the browser’s settings if there is permission to use this feature. If usage is not enabled, access to the site may be denied.
In Chrome, for example, this setting can be accessed under Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Cookies and Site Data. Please note that the option that allows the storage of cookies must be enabled.
2. Look into any browser extensions that might block cookies
Several extensions can be installed on browsers to block the usage of cookies. Many people use this feature to browse more privately.
However, these tools can be the cause of the problem when accessing a website that uses Cloudflare. Therefore, it is important to check if there is one installed in your browser and temporarily disable it to verify whether the problem will be solved.
3. Clear your browser cache
Whenever a website is loaded, several files are stored on the computer. When accessing the page again, perhaps not all are updated automatically. This will cause outdated files to exist on your computer, especially those that don’t change frequently, such as script files, cookies, and stylesheet files.
This scenario is perfect for the occurrence of the access denied error, as it favors the existence of outdated cookies on the local computer. Therefore, it is necessary to clean the browser cache and access the website again.
This way, all the necessary files will be completely reloaded, which will make them be updated, allowing the website to function.
4. Try using another browser
Another valid attempt is to access the website from another browser or device. The idea is to reload all of the website’s content, as well as clear its cache. So be sure to clear your browser first, which will make this test more likely to work.
5. Change site administrator settings
If none of the attempts at configuring the local computer bring the expected result, the problem may be in the server. Therefore, you need to access the Cloudflare settings, or ask the administrator to do so, and check the activity logs.
This allows you to verify if there are blocked IP addresses. Also, you can identify a need for changing firewall rules or adding the desired IP address to grant access to the user who is unable to access the website.
6. Contact technical support
If none of these actions are sufficient to solve the problem, you still can contact Cloudflare technical support to check if another factor is causing the website to be unavailable.
Remember that there are different types of plans, including free ones, and customer service follows a hierarchy due to the type of service contracted.
Wrap Up
Error 1020: access denied is a way to block unwanted users from accessing the site.
Besides using CDN, other security actions should be employed to ensure a protected environment. This includes making backups, using strong access passwords, using SSL certificates, and hiring secure hosting.
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