In the past few months, I have been unable to access Similarweb from India. Earlier, the website would just keep loading and it won’t lead anywhere. But of late, Similarweb started throwing the 403 Error!
When this happened, I searched the web and found numerous others facing the same problem, with no solutions in sight.
So, I donned my troubleshooting hat, got to work, and finally found a fix that will get rid of 403 Error on Similarweb. Here’s what worked!
How can I fix 403 Error on Similarweb?
1. Change the DNS server
- Press Windows + S to open Search, type View network connections in the text field, and click on the relevant result.
- Right-click on the active network adapter, be it Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and select Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version (TCP/IPv4), and click on Properties.
- Select Use the following DNS server addresses options, and fill out the fields underneath:
- Preferred DNS server: 8 . 8 . 8 . 8
- Alternate DNS server: 8 . 8 . 4 . 4
- Tick the checkbox for Validate settings upon exit, and click OK to save the changes.
Since I prefer Google’s Public DNS over available options, I went ahead and set it as the DNS server on my Windows PC. Upon doing so, when I refreshed Similarweb, it didn’t throw 403 Error on the browser.
This was the first thing I did, since years of troubleshooting connectivity and web accessibility errors has taught me to always check for DNS-related issues. More often than not, this is the problem!
2. Use a VPN solution
If access to Similarweb is blocked by local administrator or at a national level, you will have to use a VPN to bypass the restrictions. Like many others, I prefer a free version and went ahead with Proton VPN.
Simply download the Proton VPN app > create an account > choose a server > enjoy uninterrupted access to Similarweb.
There are always downsides to a free version, say lack of available servers, but as long as you need one to access Similarweb, a free VPN is the ideal way to go!
It’s vital to mention here that while changing the DNS worked for me, enabling VPN after it again triggered Similarweb Error 403. If you, too, are facing the same problem, simply disable the VPN.
3. Contact the Similarweb support
When nothing else works and you can’t figure out what’s causing issues while opening Similarweb, contact Similarweb’s official support. They are accessible both via chat and call support!
The support team is better equipped to identify the problem in individual cases and shall share a resolution for 403 Error in Similarweb with you.
That’s all for now. If you frequently face such issues, consider switching to a reliable Similarweb alternative to gain deeper insights about any website’s performance!
Also, find out quick fixes for Similarweb not working and try those too!
If you know of more solutions for Error 403 in Similarweb, drop them in the comments section below.
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