Request Header or Cookie Too Large Error? Here’s How to Fix

Request Header or Cookie Too Large is an error that typically appears when you open a website on your browser for browsing or searching something. The error presents itself with the short message on the screen ‘400 Bad Request, Request Header or Cookie Too Large,’ The Nginx web server is the sculpt.

This is annoying as you can’t visit a particular website and the error is not limited to any particular browser. As per the reports, it is seen the error appears on different browsers like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Opera, Mozilla Firefox when visiting the particular website.

After investigating this random we find out this type of error is related to the browser issues or some sort of corruption. Luckily this is not a big hurdle some ways help you to fix the error easily.

But first, it is important to understand the common culprits that may trigger this annoying error.

 What Causes “Request Header or Cookie Too Large” Error?

• Nginx web server – The websites that are typically running on the Nginx server are showing the error. This won’t allow the browser cookies over a particular size and due to this, the server refuses to show the website. To fix it delete all the cookies and try visiting the particular website.
• Cookies too large or corrupted – another possible reason why you are seeing the error on your screen is the cookies for the particular website is too large or the cookies gets corrupted. Clearing the cache data and cookies may work for you.

As you are now aware of the reasons that trigger the error now follow the fixes given to troubleshoot the 400 Bad Request, Request Header or Cookie Too Large error and visit the website without any issue.

Preliminary Fixes

Sometimes some temporary network glitches or bugs cause problems and start showing errors. So, before heading towards the detailed fixes it is suggested to follow the easy tweaks and check if the error is fixed.

Force reloads the page – Try force reloading the webpage by pressing the CTRL + F5 key a couple of times on your Windows system. And Command+Shift+R keys if using the Mac system. And check if this work for you, if not then try the next quick tweak.

Open website in the private browser – If reloading the page won’t work for you then try opening the particular website in the private window of your browser. In Chrome open the Incognito Window, in Firefox open the Private Browsing Window in Internet Explorer open the InPrivate Browsing Window and for Safari browser open Private Window, and open the particular website.

Now check if the error is solved, but if still unable to visit the website and get the error on your screen then follow the next fix as per your browser.

Clear Cookies Stored in the Browser

Another best solution is deleting entire cookies for that site or in your cache. The stored cache gets corrupted after some time and stops you from visiting a particular website.

Also, many users confirmed that clearing the cookies worked for them to fix the 400 Bad Request. Request Header or Cookie Too Large error in the browser.

Please Note: The steps suggested are for different preferred browsers. So directly head to the browser you are using currently and fix the error.

For Google Chrome Browser:

Here follow the steps to disable cookies in the Google Chrome browser:

1. Start the Chrome browser and then tap on the three dots icon on the top right side of the browser.
2. Then from the main menu choose Settings and then go to the Privacy and Security option

   

3. And then next to settings click on the arrow
4. Next under the options Content section click the Cookies and other site data option.

   

5. Then checkmark the box next to the option See all cookies and site data
6. Here either delete entire cookies by choosing the Remove All or delete one of the particular sites by clicking the delete icon in front of it.

   

However, if you won’t locate the problematic website cookies then consider searching for them in the search option.

And as the cookies are cleared, restart the chrome browser and visit the particular browser to see, if you can visit the webpage without seeing the error.

For Mozilla Firefox Browser:

If you are using the Mozilla Firefox browser then below follow the steps to remove or delete the cookies from the problematic site:

Follow the instructions given to do so:

1. Launch the Mozilla Firefox browser and then in the upper right corner click on 3 then from the menu option choose Settings.
2. And from the Settings tab, choose the option Privacy & Security.

   

3. Then scroll to find the Cookies and Site Data option and choose on Manage Data option

   

4. Next to the Manage Cookies and Site Data window, choose the particular website showing the error, then click on Remove Selected option.

   

5. Or else if you want then click on the Remove All option for removing cookies and cache from entire browsed websites.

As the steps are completed then restart the Firefox browser and visit the particular website to see if the error is fixed.

For Microsoft Edge Browser

Now if you are using the Microsoft Edge browser, then follow the steps to delete cookies. But before starting with the steps, you should know that Edge browsers won’t allow the users to remove cookies for the particular website.

This browser users need to remove entire cookies and sites. Also, you will get the timestamp option that allows the users to clear cookies for a particular time range, you can set the timestamp accordingly.

Now follow the instructions given to do so:

1. Launch the Edge browser and at the upper right corner click on 3 dots, on your browser then from the main menu option choose Settings.

   

2. And next in the Settings window, from the left side choose Privacy, search, & services
3. Then scroll to find the option Clear browsing data and tap on Choose what to clear button.

   

4. Next, choose the Time range; in case you don’t want to delete all cookies, choose the option Last hour. And checkmark the box next to the Cookies and other site data.
5. And then click the Clear now option

   

Next, close your Edge browser and launch it again. Try visiting the specific website causing the error and check if you can visit the web page without seeing the error message.

For Opera Browser

If you are an Opera browser user and see the error Request Header or Cookie Too Large error when visiting a website then clearing the cookies may help you out.

Follow the instruction to clear cookies on Opera:

1. Start the browser and in the above right side, go to the3 lines and click on it then in the menu scroll down to the Go to full browser settings
2. And click to enlarge the option Advanced section then click on the option Privacy & Security and launch the Site Settings.

   

3. Then under the Content, option-click on the arrow icon next to the option Cookies and site data.

   

4. Then scroll to find and choose the See all cookies and site data option, click the remove icon in front of the problematic website showing the error.

   

5. Alternatively, if you won’t find it then search for the affected website in the search box

Restart the browser, visit the website and check if you see the error or is fixed.

For Internet Explorer Browser

Well nowadays the internet explorer browser is not utilized considerably, but still, some users rely on it for some sort of work. So, if you see 400 Bad Request errors, then clear the cookies on your IE browser.

Follow the instructions given:

1. Launch the Internet Explorer browser and then at the upper right corner click on the Settings gear and from the Settings option choose the Internet options.

   

2. Then tap on the General window and under the Browsing History option click on the Settings button.

   

3. Next under the Temporary Internet Files option click on the button View files.

   

4. Now the File Explorer window starts and here locate the affected website name then clear the file having the problematic website name.
5. Hit the Shift + delete keys from deleting the files from the system permanently.

Now restart the Internet Explorer, try visiting the website to see if the error still appears or is fixed completely.

It is estimated the given solutions works for you to rectify the 400 Bad Request. Request Header or Cookie Too Large error in your browser. But if still see the error, then switch to a different browser or reinstall your browser. Also if the error is not with your browser then wait for the website to change the server or fix the error.