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Server errors are often a source of frustration for web developers and server administrators because they can disrupt the functionality of sites and applications. One of these errors is the HTTP 413 error, also known as “Request Entity Too Large.” This error occurs when the server is unable to process a request because the size of the data being transmitted exceeds the allowed limits.

There are several reasons why a 413 error might occur. For example, the client might attempt to upload a file that is too large, or an API might receive a POST request with a message body that exceeds the maximum capacity set by the server. This type of situation can occur in a variety of contexts, such as uploading large media, submitting forms with large attachments, or interacting with APIs that are poorly configured to handle large volumes of data.

The most common 413 errors

The most common errors that may occur on your server will be discussed. Perhaps you will find something useful for yourself.

Request size limit exceeded

One of the main causes of error 413 is exceeding the request size limit set on the server. This limit is usually set to prevent files or data from being sent too large, which could impact server performance.

Server or proxy settings

Some servers and proxies have their own limits on request size. If the request goes through a proxy, you need to make sure that there are no restrictions set there either that could cause a 413 error.

Web server configuration problems

Incorrect configuration of a web server such as Apache or Nginx can also be the cause of the error. For example, incorrect settings related to request sizes can cause problems.

How to Fix this

Changing server settings.

The server settings that determine the maximum request size can be changed. For example, in the Apache configuration this could be the LimitRequestBody parameter, and in Nginx it could be

client_max_body_size

Increase these values to allow larger requests.

Using Chunked Transfer Encoding

In some cases, using chunked data transfer can help avoid a 413 error. This allows data to be transferred in chunks, which can bypass request size limits.

Checking proxy server settings

If a proxy is used in front of the web server, make sure that the appropriate settings for the maximum request size are set there as well.

Checking the web server configuration:
Check your web server configuration for errors or inconsistencies. Pay attention to the parameters related to request sizes.

Using CDN

Using a CDN (Content Delivery Network) can help reduce the load on your server because the CDN can handle some of the requests and reduce the size of the data transferred.

Depending on the web server and configuration you use, the situation may vary, so it is important to carefully review the documentation for your server and conduct a thorough analysis of the configuration. Please note that changes to server settings may require a server restart for them to take effect.