The HTTP 304 status code specifies a communication issue between a site’s server and a visitor’s web browser. You may experience this status code while browsing your desired sites frequently. The status code reveals that it can be on the client or server sides. Luckily, different possible solutions can help users troubleshoot this status code in the right direction.
This blog post will explain an HTTP 304 not modified status code, and various potential solutions, allowing you to fix it appropriately.
What Do You Mean by an HTTP 304 Status Code?
Regarding the HTTP 304 not modified status code, it indicates that the site you requested has not been updated since the last time you browsed it. Suppose a browser sends a request to the server related to a particular web page; the web server, in return, responds with a ‘304 Not Modified’ status code, suggesting the page has not been updated.
Moreover, the browser uses the page’s cached version instead of downloading it again, speeding up load times and saving bandwidth.
How to Fix an HTTP 304 Not Modified Status Code?
You can use multiple simple and bit technical methods to resolve an HTTP 304 status code. This particular error relates to search engines as they index and cache sites. Here are different possible solutions that allow you to bypass the 304 error appropriately:
- Clear the Browser Cache.
- Deactivate Your Browser’s Extensions.
- Flush the DNS and Reset the TCP/IP.
- Use the Google Public DNS.
- Check Redirect Instructions in .htaccess.
Clear the Browser Cache
Clearing the browser cache can help you eliminate the 304 not modified status code. To do this, follow the below steps:
- Click the three dots at the top-right corner of your browser to access the settings panel. Then click the Delete browsing data option.
- You should choose options such as Cookies, Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, files, and Cached images. Click the Delete data option to remove the 304 HTTP status code.
- Likewise, you can remove advanced data by hitting the ‘Advanced’ data tab.
- You can select options like Cookies and other site data, Download history, cached images and files, browsing history, etc.
By hitting the Delete Data option, you can bypass the 304 not modified status code. Luckily, the same troubleshooting method lets you fix the Err_Cache_Miss error in Google Chrome. Besides, it allows you to overcome the WSoD (white screen of death) error.
Deactivate Your Browser’s Extensions
Unfortunately, your browser’s extension can cause the HTTP 304 status code issue. This is because extensions can conflict with requests and server communication. In this situation, you must deactivate your browser’s extension to avoid witnessing the HTTP 304 not modified status code. Luckily, disabling a browser’s extensions allows users to eliminate the ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error.
You should click the three dots at the top right corner of the Google Chrome browser to do this. In addition, click Settings, go to Extensions, and select Manage Extensions. You can disable any browser extension or all extensions by toggling off them.
Once you deactivate any browser extension, it’s better to check whether the HTTP 304 issue has disappeared. Did you know disabling a browser’s extension lets you bypass the ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR? Yes, it is true. Likewise, deactivating browser extensions helps users overcome the ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE error.
Flush the DNS and Reset the TCP/IP
Flushing the DNS may help you tackle the HTTP 304 error code in the right direction. If you have not resolved this issue till now, the main issue is likely in the DNS settings. For instance, outdated IP addresses can result in the HTTP 304 status code.
Thus, there is no harm in flushing the DNS and resetting the TCP/IP. If you use a Chrome browser, flush the DNS by entering “chrome://net-internals/#dns” in a new tab. Now, press Enter and click the Clear host cache button:
Use the Google Public DNS
Incorrect DNS addresses can be one of the culprits behind the 304 status code issue. Hence, utilizing the Google Public DNS is viable to avoid facing HTTP 304 not modified status code. To do this, hit the Windows + R keys on your Windows device.
Write ‘ncpa.cpl’ using the command box once the Run window appears on your screen, and then press OK. Find the network connection you use from the Network Connections window. Right-click the network connection after locating it. Now, choose Properties and double-click Internet Protocol Version 4.
At this point, choose the option “Use the following DNS server addresses” and type the value “8.8.8.8” under Preferred and “8.8.4.4” under Alternate.
Once you have completed this step, click OK. Restart your device and reaccess the site to confirm whether the HTTP 304 status code has gone.
Check Redirect Instructions in .htaccess
You can check redirect instructions in .htaccess file to see if they are accurate. To do this, you must evaluate the server configuration file. However, you should know if your server runs on NGINX or Apache.
If your server depends on NGINX, you do not need to access the .htaccess file. Instead, you should examine the error logs to identify the problem. Apache users must visit their root directories to check the .htaccess files.
For this reason, they should log into their hosting account’s file manager and go to the public_html folder. Now, they must deactivate the .htacess file by renaming it to .htaccess_disabled. Once they have performed this step, they should check whether the site is accessible and the “304 Not Modified” status code. They should rename it to activate the .htaccess file.
Hopefully, this method will help you bypass the error code. If this is the case, you can ask your web developer to check the code in the .htaccess on your behalf. Moreover, you should try to find the incorrect redirect settings, as these settings vary from site to site.
What Are the Main Reasons Behind 304 Not Modified Status Code?
304 not modified is a common status code that can occur on the client or server side. If it occurs on the client side, the user must take corrective measures to avoid seeing this code in the future. Different reasons indicate why users may get a 304 not modified status code, including:
- Virus
- Corrupt Application
- Recent Software Installation
Virus
Sometimes, malware and viruses prevent browsers from effectively communicating with caching web pages and web servers, resulting in a 304 status code. Therefore, you should check if your browser is corrupted.
Corrupt Application
There is a chance that an application with corrupt files related to its browser can prevent the browser from saving web pages and updating information. Hence, users must check their applications to see whether they have corrupt files.
Recent Software Application
The registry can become corrupted when a user installs or uninstalls software on their device. In addition, the registry has crucial system and application settings. As a result, the browser may not communicate with web pages and web servers. So, you should check the registry to see if it works fine.
What Do You Mean by HTTP Status Codes?
HTTP status codes relate to information exchange, indicating whether there is an error with the request or if it is successful. Based on the issue type, you can witness five different categories of HTTP status codes, such as:
- The 100 status codes (informational requests).
- The 200 status codes (successful requests).
- The 300 status codes (redirects).
- The 400 status codes (client errors).
- The 500 status codes (server errors).
Wrapping Up
We expect you to like our blog post describing 304, not modified status code, in detail. As you know, 300s redirection codes help enhance page performance from the speed’s perspective. However, an HTTP 304 not modified status code occurs when browsers or servers are not configured correctly, resulting in miscommunication between the two.
To sum up, solving the 304 status code is not as difficult as you think. The solution involves accurately identifying the issue and following different methods to resolve it.
