# Redirected to InfinityFree 403 Forbidden page

**URL:** <https://forum.infinityfree.com/t/redirected-to-infinityfree-403-forbidden-page/58664>\
**Category:** Websites and PHP\
**Created:** [March 2, 2022, 11:43am UTC](https://forum.infinityfree.com/t/redirected-to-infinityfree-403-forbidden-page/58664 "2022-03-02T11:43:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 1

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**Author:** ![Admin](https://forum.infinityfree.com/user_avatar/forum.infinityfree.com/admin/32/36437_2.png) [@Admin](https://forum.infinityfree.com/u/Admin)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2022, 11:43am UTC](https://forum.infinityfree.com/t/redirected-to-infinityfree-403-forbidden-page/58664/1 "2022-03-02T11:43:51Z")

</div>

Getting a 403 error means the server is refusing to show your webpage. Here are the most common causes and how to fix them:

## 1. Website Files Are in the Wrong Location

**The Issue:** Your domain might be pointing to an empty or non-existent folder.

**How to Check:**

1. Log into your [InfinityFree client area](https://dash.infinityfree.com)
2. Go to Accounts → [Select your account] → Domains → [Find your domain] → Manage
3. Find the Directory Status card, and look at the Directory displayed there

**Understanding the folder structure:**

- Your first domain uses the `htdocs` folder
- Additional domains get their own folders (e.g., `example.com/htdocs`)
- If you delete and re-add your original domain, it will be treated as an additional domain and get a new folder

**How to Fix:** Upload your website files to the exact folder shown in your client area. If the folder is empty or missing, that’s why you’re seeing the 403 error.

## 2. Missing Index File

**The Issue:** When someone visits your site (like `http://example.com/` or `http://example.com/blog/`), the server looks for a default file to display. If it can’t find one, you get a 403 error.

**What the server looks for:**  
The server searches for these files in this exact order:

1. `index.php`
2. `index.html`
3. `index.htm`
4. `index2.html`

**Important notes:**

- File names are **case-sensitive** - `Index.php` or `index.HTML` won’t work
- The server only looks in the specific folder being accessed, not subfolders

**How to Fix (choose one):**

**Option 1 (Recommended):** Create an index file

- Add an `index.html` or `index.php` file to your main folder
- This file will be shown when people visit your site

**Option 2:** Show a file listing

- Create a file called `.htaccess` in the folder
- Add this line: `Options +Indexes`
- Visitors will see a list of files instead of your webpage

**Option 3:** Set a custom default file

- Create a file called `.htaccess` in the folder
- Add this line: `DirectoryIndex yourfile.html index.php index.html index.htm`
- Replace `yourfile.html` with your actual filename

## 3. Blocked Keywords in Your URL

**The Issue:** Certain keywords in your URL are automatically blocked by InfinityFree.

**Blocked keywords and why:**

**“chat”** - Live chat scripts constantly refresh pages, creating excessive server load

- Examples: `chat.php`, `/livechat/`, `/support/chat/`

**“includes”** - This folder typically contains scripts meant to be loaded by other PHP files, not accessed directly by browsers (security measure)

- Examples: `/includes/functions.php`, `/includes/config.php`

**How to Fix:**  
Rename your files or folders to something else:

- For chat: `talk`, `messages`, `contact`, `support`
- For includes: `pages`, `functions`, `scripts`.

**Important:** Even if you rename chat-related files, hosting live chat scripts is still prohibited.

## 4. Your IP Address Is Blocked

**The Issue:** Your website’s `.htaccess` file might be blocking your own IP address.

**How to Check:**

1. Access your website files via file manager or FTP
2. Look for a file named `.htaccess` in your website folder
3. Open the file and look for lines starting with `deny from` or `allow from`

**How to Fix:**

**If you don’t want IP restrictions:**

- Remove all lines starting with `deny from` or `allow from`

**If you see `allow from all`:**

- Look for lines like `deny from [your IP address]` and delete them

**If you see `deny from all`:**

- Add a new line: `allow from [your IP address]`
- You can find your IP address by searching “what is my IP” in Google

* * *

**Still having trouble?** Double-check that your files are in the exact folder path shown in your InfinityFree client area under Domains. Most 403 errors are caused by files being in the wrong location.

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