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If you’re attempting to use Airbnb but keep getting an access denied message, don’t worry, we’re here to help.
This error message, termed error/status code 403, can be caused by numerous technical issues whether you’re an Airbnb host or a guest, but thankfully there are ways to fix it.
We’ve done our research, and in this article, we’ll discuss the causes of this issue and help you troubleshoot this annoying problem.
Common Causes of Access Denied
The worst thing about an access denied message is that there are countless reasons for its appearance.
To properly troubleshoot the issue, we’ve examined the most common reasons for its appearance and provided possible solutions.
Verification Issues
One of the most common causes of error code 403, access denied, is a lack of verification on the host’s account.
Airbnb requires hosts to verify their identity and the legitimacy of their listing before it can be made available to guests.
This protects guests from fraudulent activity and ensures they can book a safe and legitimate place to stay. Access to the listing’s page will be denied if verification is not completed.
If you’re trying to view a listing and getting an error 403, it will typically be an issue on the host’s end.
Incorrect Login Credentials
This message is often presented to people that have entered incorrect login details – you will be denied access to Airbnb and receive an error code 403.
We recommend double-checking your login information before logging in to avoid this issue.
Violation of Airbnb’s Policies
Hosts may also come across an access denied message if their listing or behavior is found to violate Airbnb policy.
Creating duplicate accounts is one of the more common policy violations, as it can easily happen if you connect to the Airbnb app on two different platforms and then use a different email address with the same contact information.
Discrimination, overbooking, or providing false information are other significant policy violations.
Airbnb has a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and takes these issues very seriously.
Suspicious Activity
If Airbnb’s system detects suspicious activity on your account, it may flag your account and restrict access. This could be due to fraudulent activity or a potential security breach.
Travelers also often receive this message when logging in to Airbnb on different internet connections while moving through countries.
Airbnb users should be vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity to Airbnb support.
Payment Issues
You may also experience an error code 403 if there is an issue with your payment methods.
These issues crop up when credit cards expire if you have insufficient funds in your account, or when there’s been an issue with any payments being processed.
VPN or Firewall Problems
An access denied message can often arise when using a VPN (used to protect your privacy online) or if your firewall settings are particularly strict.
Blocked Account
If your account has been banned by Airbnb and your IP blocked for any reason (typically policy violations), access to your account and listing will be denied.
In this situation, you’ll be presented with an access denied error.
If you’re seeing this, you should contact Airbnb to understand the reasons for the block and take the necessary steps to fix it.
Technical Issues
Access denied can be caused by technical issues on the platform. A global glitch recently saw this message being shown site-wide and access restricted for millions of users.
If you’re seeing this message, it could be a bug or a problem with your account or the site.
Fixing this Issue
If you’re experiencing an access denied error message, there are a number of steps you should initially take. If you’re using the app, we recommend making sure it is up to date.
Uninstalling and reinstalling the app is a surefire way to ensure your version is the latest available. Try to log in on the web at www.airbnb.com to see if the issue is only affecting one platform.
If the website works, it’s a sign that your app needs to be updated or reinstalled.
However, if you’re getting an access denied message on the website, more often than not, the issue is due to a problem with your account.
Here are some technical tips to help troubleshoot the reasons you’re seeing this error code.
Clear Your Browser Cookies, Cache, and History
- Open your browser
- Click Settings
- Scroll to cookies and site data
- Click Clear Data
- Select cached images and files and cookies and site data
- Click Confirm
Update Your Browser
Outdated browser versions may also result in an access denied message. If your browser isn’t up to date, it may not be able to connect to the Airbnb servers properly.
Checking your browser is up to date could be a quick fix to an access denied error message.
Disable Your VPN
You should also turn off any VPN or VPN extensions, disable any proxy servers you’re using and try using a different browser.
Whitelist Airbnb in Your Firewall
Depending on the firewall, there are different ways to achieve this, but it’s an important step that must be taken. Try whitelisting the Airbnb website or disabling your firewall for a few minutes to see if the error persists.
However, disabling your firewall entirely will open you up to security concerns, so we recommend this as a last resort.
Verify Your Account
If you cannot view a listing you’ve posted due to verification issues, you will need to complete the verification process. This typically involves providing an ID and confirming your email address and phone number.
Review Airbnb’s Policies
To avoid access denied error code issues, we recommend you familiarize yourself with Airbnb’s policies to ensure your listing and behavior on the platform aren’t breaking any rules.
Address Any Suspicious Activity on Your Account
If your account has been flagged for suspicious activity, you will have to contact Airbnb support to provide information to clear up the issue and regain access to the account.
Update Your Payment Info
If your payment methods need to be updated, we recommend updating them with a new card with sufficient funds and checking with your bank to see if there have been any issues processing any payments from Airbnb.
Contact Airbnb Support
If you believe that you’re seeing an access denied message due to a technical issue or mistake, and our steps have yet to help fix the problem – contact Airbnb support.
They will be able to investigate the matter, check out any issues with your account, and assist in resolving it.
Summary
In conclusion, many reasons can lead to an access denied error 403 on Airbnb.
The reasons depend on whether you’re a guest or a host, but if you follow our troubleshooting guide, you should be able to narrow down the reason you’re being presented with this error code.
Hosts and travelers can reduce the likelihood of this error by familiarizing themselves with Airbnb policies, ensuring their payment information are up to date and being vigilant over the security of their accounts.
If the technical issues persist, we recommend contacting Airbnb support for assistance in resolving this issue.
