The HTTP 405 Method Not Allowed error occurs when a client makes a request using an HTTP verb (such as POST or PUT) that the target server endpoint does not allow. To fix this on WordPress, check your .htaccess or NGINX configuration for incorrect rewrite rules, temporarily deactivate newly installed plugins or custom REST API hooks causing verb conflicts, and verify that security firewalls (WAF/Cloudflare) are not blocking valid POST submissions.
If you ever come across the 405 Method Not Allowed error on your WordPress site, don’t worry, you’re not the only one. The error can be frustrating and puzzling, especially if you have no clue what causes this or how to fix it. In this blog post, we will inform you what these 405 errors is, why it happens, and how we can give you simple steps to fix the 405 Method Not Allowed error on your WordPress site. For verified technical specifications and deployment parameters, consult the official Linux Kernel Documentation.
What is the 405 Method Not Allowed Error?
405 error, or 405 Method Not Allowed, is an HTTP response status code that the server is aware of the request method (i.e., GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) but the method is not acceptable for the requested resource. That is, your WordPress site is blocking the type of request your plugin or browser is making.
You might see error messages like:
- 405 Method Not Allowed
- Error 405
- 405: Method Not Allowed
- HTTP 405 Method Not Allowed
- 405 Not Allowed
Common Causes of the 405 Error Method Not Allowed in WordPress
- Incorrectly making changes to the .htaccess or Nginx configurations.
- Interferences with WordPress plugins or themes.
- Improper API calls or AJAX requests.
- Web Application Firewall (WAF) blocks specific methods.
- Disabling HTTP methods in the server, such as POST or PUT.
How to Fix the 405 Method Not Allowed Error
1. Backup Your Site First
Always take a backup of a WordPress site, including its database, before making any changes; so that if anything goes wrong in between the troubleshooting, valuable information is not lost in the process.
2. Check Your .htaccess File
The .htaccess file contains many server rules that can allow or forbid request methods.
- Using FTP or File Manager, access the files of your WordPress site.
- Locate the .htaccess file in the root folder.
- Temporarily disable the file by renaming it as .htaccess_backup.
- Check the website for the presence of a 405 error.
- Should the error vanish, then you should regenerate the .htaccess file by going to WordPress Admin > Settings > Permalinks and hitting the “Save Changes” button.
- If the problem does return, then you might want to review your server configuration or plugins.
3. Disable All Plugins and Themes Temporarily
The 405 method not allowed error often arises due to plugin or theme conflicts.
- Deactivate all plugins using the dashboard or rename the plugins folder via FTP.
- Switch to the default WordPress theme Twenty Twenty-Three.
- See whether the error 405 pops up or disappears.
- If it disappears, start activating plugins one by one testing each until locating the possible culprit.
4. Check Server and Hosting Settings
There are times that the hosting provider may restrict certain HTTP methods for security reasons.
• Reach out to your hosting support and ask if they are blocking HTTP methods.
• Ask for any blocking methods needed, like POST or PUT.
5. Inspect Web Application Firewall (WAF) Rules
Some security plugins or firewalls can block different request methods, which gives a 405 not allowed error.
- Turn off security plugins or WAF temporarily
- Check to see if the error gets resolved
- You could also adjust the settings of the firewall to allow the required HTTP methods
Conclusion: Resolving 405 Method Not Allowed Errors in WordPress
The 405 Method Not Allowed error in WordPress typically identifies a server-side configuration conflict, restrictive rewrite rule, or plugin interference that disallows valid HTTP verbs (such as POST or PUT) on your target URL. By methodically auditing your .htaccess file, isolating plugin conflicts, and adjusting firewall settings, you can permanently eliminate this error and restore smooth site functionality.
For content publishers and ecommerce stores seeking lightning-fast page loading speeds and built-in caching, transitioning to managed WordPress hosting maximizes Core Web Vitals performance and visitor conversion rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes the 405 Method Not Allowed error on WordPress?
A 405 Method Not Allowed error occurs when a client makes an HTTP request using a method (such as POST, GET, PUT, or DELETE) that the destination server recognizes, but the specific target URL endpoint does not permit. On WordPress, this is commonly triggered by misconfigured rewrite rules in .htaccess or Nginx, plugin conflicts, aggressive Web Application Firewall (WAF) filters, or server configurations disallowing POST requests.
Can editing or resetting the .htaccess file fix a 405 error?
Yes. Corrupted rewrite directives or unauthorized method restrictions in .htaccess are frequent causes of 405 errors on Apache servers. Temporarily disabling .htaccess and regenerating clean WordPress rewrite rules via Settings > Permalinks often restores full functionality.
How do WordPress plugins or themes trigger 405 errors?
Incompatible or outdated plugins (especially form builders, security firewalls, and custom REST API integrations) can hook into HTTP request handlers and inadvertently reject valid POST requests. Deactivating newly updated plugins allows you to isolate the conflicting code.
How can system administrators inspect server logs to debug 405 errors?
Linux server access and error logs located in /var/log (such as nginx/error.log, apache2/error.log, and access.log) record incoming HTTP verbs and return status codes. Administrators can run tail -f /var/log/nginx/access.log | grep 405 to capture the exact offending endpoint, client IP, and HTTP method in real time.
Why are correct Linux file permissions essential for web server security?
Setting directories to 755 and files to 644 ensures web daemons can serve public assets while preventing unauthorized system users from altering backend script files, tampering with .htaccess, or executing arbitrary code.
How does server-side caching improve web application responsiveness?
Caching dynamically generated pages via Redis, Memcached, or LiteSpeed Cache bypasses repetitive PHP script execution and database queries, delivering content directly from high-speed RAM.
What hosting environment is recommended for deploying complex web applications?
Deploying on dedicated VPS or bare-metal server infrastructure provides guaranteed CPU, RAM, and NVMe resources, eliminating resource contention associated with shared hosting environments and granting full root access to customize HTTP methods.