Update on recent 404 errors and how to clear your cache

[BeckyAMumsnet]

Hello everyone.

We’ve now identified what caused the 404 errors some users were seeing late last week and over the weekend.

There was a very brief issue on our side last Thursday (it lasted less than a minute) which meant that a small number of people who visited the site at that exact time may have had an incorrect redirect saved in their browser.

Unfortunately, that can cause the 404 page to keep appearing.

We know this has been frustrating if you were affected, and we’re really sorry for the hassle caused.

The fix is straightforward, but it does need to be done on your device:
You’ll just need to clear your browser’s cache for Mumsnet, then close and reopen your browser.

How to do this:

Chrome
Settings > Privacy and security > Delete browsing data
Select Cached images and files, then delete
Safari (iPhone/iPad)
Settings > Apps > Safari > Clear History and Website Data
Safari (Mac)
Safari > Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data
Search for mumsnet and remove it
Edge
Settings > Privacy, search and services > Clear browsing data
Select Cached images and files, then clear
Firefox
Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > Clear Data
Tick Cached Web Content, then clear

Once that’s done, everything should be back to normal.

Thanks again, and we’re really sorry this happened.

Best wishes,
MNHQ

I am using an iPad a this means I have to clear ALL my history not just Mumsnet history. I don’t want to do that.

Hey @Yetone, that's understandable. Please try this - open Settings, tap Safari, then select Advanced > Website Data. Search for Mumsnet, swipe left on its name, and tap Delete.

I did that and it sorted the issue. But now I'm getting moving ads at the top. I've had to clag something over it to stop the constant movement.

I don't mind adverts if they keep still.

The only thing that has finally worked for me, using Chrome on Macbook, was to delete 7 days of all browsing data.
A right PITA. Logged out of everything😡
But it finally worked.
You owe us all a pint, Mumsnet

Really glad that did the trick @JustCabbaggeLooking but yes, being logged out of everything is annoying. Hopefully just clearing the Mumsnet cache will do it for most people.

We’re definitely building up quite the bar tab here… we’ll see if Justine will stretch to some pork scratchings and pickled eggs too. 🍺

Thank you, that worked for my MacBook Air that had got stuck with the 404 error on Active discussions. Had to sign back in but no big deal.

Edited to clarify I only had to clear the Mumsnet data, not everything!

Doesn't work on my desktop.

Do I need to turn off the machine and go and have supper and then come back?

Should I wait for the full moon and sacrifice a few virgin woodlice on a hilltop or something?

It seems to be a bit arcane....

I have cleared everything and it is still not working, what can I do? I can't use aibu or the christmas board, the only threads I bloody use..

@AskingQuestionsAllTheTime @FilthyforFirth thanks for trying that, If you’re still seeing the issue, it’s usually because the cached redirect hasn’t been fully cleared. It’s worth double-checking that cached files (not just your history) have been removed, and that the browser has been fully closed and reopened afterwards.

Becky, I close my browser and then turn off my computer every night, and the cache is cleared automatically at that time, according to my service provider (who lives in my basement with many, many computers and servers, and runs tech for part of London University).

However, using a different browser has finally solved the problem: Mozilla Firefox not Chromium.

Only been an issue for me for 3 days randomly on Google/Chrome. Works on Samsung Internet. Cleared all browsing data and cache.

Get 404 or the site loads but only the top banner is visible and white screen underneath it gor the rest of the page

I have cleared my cache and it still does not work. What now?

DH says it’s a good thing I can’t access mumsnet on my phone so obviously I’m in LTB territory here. Please help.

@BeckyAMumsnet Any help? Thanks!

Thanks so much for posting about this.

@TheMateofOphelia hopefully we won't get to the LTB stage.

We know clearing cache has helped some people, but it sounds as though the issue is coming back for many of you, so we’re really keen to figure out a solution ASAP.

Because this seems to be happening browser-side, it’s tricky for us to reproduce reliably from our end. It would be really helpful if one or two people who are still seeing it would be willing to jump on a quick call with us, so we can see what’s happening in real time and get a better idea of what’s triggering it.

We wouldn’t need anything too involved, just to understand things like what you were doing when the error appeared, and what happens after clearing cache.

If you’d be happy to help, please let us know on the thread or drop us a message. It would be hugely appreciated and should help us get to the bottom of this more quickly.

I didn't have to clear anything,it just righted itself after a few days. Can't believe how many glitches there are on MN no other sites has this many.

Im getting error 400 Bad Request despite clearing cache. I can speak with you, but am in the Netherlands so it'd be an international call.

Update: suddenly after attempt number 4 it's working okay now.

I'm not sure if it is actually the browser thats the problem as I've had the same error trying to log into my sons blue peter page. Coincidence or it is maybe the browser that's an issue. As I could access on smasung not chrome the same as your site. @BeckyAMumsnet

I'm getting this error all the time at the moment. It's a new thing that I haven't seen before and probably started 48 hrs ago.

It happens for me when I am

A) reading a thread and attempt to move to the next page
B) use the back button on my phone to navigate

It doesn't happen every time but I have probably experienced it 10-15 times in the last 48 hrs. If I then attempt to return to any page at all on Mumsnet, I get the error message. I do not experience this on any other website.

I asked AI what to do as I hadn't seen anything about it on Mumsnet previously. It suggested deleting browsing data. I do this and it closes my tab (a bit annoying if mid-thread) but does resolve the issue, albeit temporarily.

I have borrowed a friends laptop post this as my phone still will not work , ( samsung chrome ) I have followed the above instructions four or five times I have , closed all open tabs and recent serches tuened it off and on again.
The only thing left for me to do is give it a hot soapy wash and a pint of cider !

It happened again tonight, using chrome 😡

Worked for 15 minutes then 404 bad request AGAIN.
What is going on?
@BeckyAMumsnet How do you delete just the Mumsnet cache??
That option isn't available on chrome on Macbook air.
Explain how to do it like I'm 5.

On android chrome to just delete mumsnet data:

1. Click to the left of the address bar
2. click cookies and site data
3. Click the bin icon

There is probably a similar option on mac

Have done this 3 times. For me it works for max half a day then back to error.. its driving me crazy and OMG I LOATHE the app!!

Thank you so much! 🤗

Didn't realise there was a thread on this, but i too had the problem.

Got online support and did as suggested up thread and cleared cache for MN.

This worked for a while ie hours then happened again.

When i went to clear cache again use of MN had added a stupidly big amount of cache data (no idea what or why) so in the end cleared MN cache again, and added MN to the list of web sites that I dont allow to download their links. (Firefox)

And that sorted it.