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Understanding HTTP 405 Error code (Method Not Allowed)

6 min read

Table of Contents

HTTP error codes can be puzzling, particularly when they interrupt your web scraping or automation workflows. The HTTP 405 error is one such code that indicates an issue with how a request is being submitted.

This guide explains what the 405 error means, what causes it, and what it might suggest if you’re experiencing blocking. We’ll also look at methods to work around this problem using WebParsers.

Key Takeaways

  • Resolve HTTP 405 “Method Not Allowed” errors by using the appropriate HTTP method (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) for each endpoint, making sure your requests align with what the server expects
  • HTTP 405 “Method Not Allowed” happens when you use an HTTP method the server doesn’t support for that particular resource
  • A frequent cause is using the wrong HTTP method—such as GET for updates, POST for data retrieval, or unsupported methods for certain endpoints
  • Each resource has permitted methods—servers determine which HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, HEAD) are acceptable for each endpoint
  • Client-side solutions involve correcting the method—use the right HTTP method for your intended action (GET for fetching data, POST for creating resources, etc.)
  • Server-side fixes require proper configuration—ensure appropriate method handling and informative error messages for unsupported methods
  • May signal intentional blocking—some websites misuse 405 errors as part of anti-bot strategies to confuse automated tools
  • Web scraping considerations—405 errors commonly occur when scraping APIs or forms with improper method usage
  • Bypassing requires specialized tools—use curl-impersonate, undetected-chromedriver, or WebParsers to handle method-based blocking

What is HTTP Error 405?

HTTP error 405, “Method Not Allowed”, happens when a client tries to communicate with a server using an HTTP method that the server doesn’t permit for the requested resource. Essentially, it’s like trying to enter through the wrong entrance—the server understands what you’re asking but cannot process it because the request method isn’t supported for that resource.

What Causes HTTP 405 Errors?

The primary cause of the HTTP status 405 is utilizing an incorrect HTTP method. Each server resource is set up to handle specific types of requests (methods), including:

  • GET: Fetches data from the server
  • POST: Submits data to the server for processing
  • PUT: Modifies an existing resource
  • DELETE: Removes a resource
  • HEAD: Retrieves only the headers of a resource

For instance, if you attempt to update data with a GET method or fetch information using POST, you’ll probably trigger an HTTP code 405. This problem frequently arises when users don’t know which methods are available for a specific resource.

To prevent this, it’s crucial to understand what methods are permitted and use the correct one for your task, particularly when working with APIs or interacting with websites programmatically.

Changing HTTP Request Method

Most tools and programming libraries default to the GET HTTP method when none is specified. Many 405 errors happen because users don’t know how to modify the default request method. Here’s how to change the HTTP request method using various tools and libraries.

cURL examples:

bash

curl -X GET "https://httpbin.dev/get"
# post plain text
curl -X POST https://httpbin.dev/post -d "my data" -H "Content-Type: text/plain"
# post json
curl -X POST https://httpbin.dev/post -d '{"name": "my query"}' -H "Content-Type: application/json"
curl -X PUT "https://httpbin.dev/put"
curl -X DELETE "https://httpbin.dev/delete"
curl -X HEAD "https://httpbin.dev/head"

Practical Example

To better understand 405 errors, let’s use the web-scraping.dev API to show how we can intentionally generate an HTTP 405 code.

We’ll use cURL to send a POST request to the /api/review endpoint, which is designed to only accept GET requests.

bash

curl -X 'POST' \
  'https://web-scraping.dev/api/review?product_id=1' -v
```

The `-v` flag enables verbose output, allowing us to view the HTTP status code returned.

In the cURL output, we'll see the HTTP status code and the Allow header, which displays the methods supported by that resource.
```
* Request completely sent off
< HTTP/2 405 
< allow: GET

We can also observe the HTTP error message in the response body:

json

{"detail":"Method Not Allowed"}

405 Can Indicate You’re Being Blocked

While an HTTP 405 error technically relates to incorrect methods, it can also suggest that your connection is being deliberately blocked. Websites sometimes misconfigure their responses or misuse status codes to confuse bots and automated systems. In certain cases, a 405 error might be concealing an attempt to block your activity.

For example, websites may return random error codes, including 405, as part of anti-bot measures. This approach is commonly used to obstruct automated scraping tools, creating a false impression of malfunction. If you’re scraping data and encounter a 405 error, it might not simply be about using the wrong method—it could indicate the website is intentionally blocking your connection.

Bypassing 405 Blocking

To get around 405 blocking, you can start with scraping tools that strengthen your requests against common detection methods like:

  • curl-impersonate – can enhance cURL client fingerprint to simulate a real web browser
  • undetected-chromedriver – can improve your Selenium scrapers to resist browser fingerprinting

These are just a few tools that can assist with 405 bypass.

Powerup 405 Bypass with WebParsers

Distinguishing genuine 405 errors from 405 errors that mask scraper blocking can be challenging—let WebParsers handle it for you!

WebParsers offers web scraping, screenshot, and extraction APIs for data collection at scale:

  • Anti-bot protection bypass—scrape web pages without getting blocked
  • Rotating residential proxies—avoid IP address and geographic restrictions
  • JavaScript rendering—scrape dynamic web pages through cloud browsers
  • Full browser automation—control browsers to scroll, input, and click on elements
  • Format conversion—scrape as HTML, JSON, Text, or Markdown
  • Python and Typescript SDKs, plus Scrapy and no-code tool integrations

The WebParsers API also enables complete customization of your HTTP requests with custom headers, methods, cookies, and other HTTP parameters. This simplifies preventing 405 errors caused by incorrect HTTP methods or headers.

Summary

To wrap up, HTTP 405 errors can stem from something as straightforward as using the wrong HTTP method, but they may also indicate deliberate blocks implemented by websites. Understanding the underlying cause of a 405 error is essential for resolving it. If you’re facing intentional blocks, tools like WebParsers can provide the advanced features needed to bypass them, keeping your scraping projects running smoothly.