Medium Operating Systems ✓ Solution Verified by Community (0+ upvotes)

How to fix error http-401 in Windows 11

HTTP 401 Unauthorized: Authentication required.

65% success rate
👥 0+ users verified
📅 Updated: 2026-08-12
⏱️ 10 min read
Fix based on community reports and expert analysis. Last verified: 2026-08-12 · How we verify fixes
Error Codehttp-401
Affected SystemWindows 11 (Microsoft)
DifficultyMedium
Estimated Time10 min

Solution Steps

  1. 1 First, verify that you are using the correct credentials. Check with the website administrator or your IT department if you're unsure. Try logging in from a different browser or device to confirm.
  2. 2 Clear your browser's cache and cookies. In Microsoft Edge, click the three-dot menu → Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Choose what to clear → Clear browsing data. This removes any stored authentication tokens that might be corrupted.
  3. 3 If you're accessing a network share, ensure you're connected to the correct network and have the right permissions. Press Windows key + R, type '\\server\share' (replace with actual path) and press Enter. If prompted, enter your credentials.
  4. 4 Check if your system's date and time are correct, as authentication protocols like Kerberos are time-sensitive. Right-click the clock → Adjust date and time → ensure 'Set time automatically' is on.
  5. 5 If you're a developer, check your API requests. Ensure you're including the correct Authorization header. For example, in PowerShell, you might need to use 'Invoke-RestMethod -Headers @{Authorization = "Bearer $token"}'.
  6. 6 If the issue persists, try resetting Internet Explorer settings (even if you don't use it) because Windows components rely on it. Press Windows key + R, type 'inetcpl.cpl', go to Advanced tab, and click 'Reset'.

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