411 Length Required: What Is It & How To Fix?

Experiencing cryptic error messages displayed while browsing the internet leaves us in a state of confusion. The HTTP “411 Length Required” Status Code is one of these messages.

This warning may lead to confusion, especially since developers or web administrators do not know about its impact. In this post, we will look at the background of the 411 Length Requirement Status Code and find its meaning, causes, and possible solutions for resolving it.

Table of Contents

• 411 Length Required Meaning
• Related HTTP Response Headers
• The Common Causes Of The 411 Length Required
• 4 Methods To Prevent The 411 Length Required Error
  • 1. Check The Request Headers
  • 2. Verify Intermedia Proxy Or Firewall Settings
  • 3. Utilize Appropriate HTTP Methods
  • 4. Update The Latest Versions Of Software Or Libraries
• Conclusion

411 Length Required Meaning

411 Length Required Status Code is part of the HTTP protocol under a 4xx response category. The server will return a client error indicating that the request is unable to complete since there is no Content-Length HTTP header field.

If the 411 Required Length error message appears, the request, including the appropriate Content-Length HTTP header, must be resubmitted. The Content-Length header will specify the size, in bytes, of the request payload sent to a server. Besides, the server cannot process the request accurately without this header.

Related HTTP Response Headers

Some related HTTP response headers can give supplementary information about the request and its status. These headers can help to diagnose problems and give a clearer picture of the error.

In case you encounter a 411 status code, there are some related HTTP response headers to look for:

• Content-Type: This header describes the MIME type of response, demonstrating the data format returned by the server. It can be used to determine whether the request is sent in the appropriate format.

• Content-Length: This header describes the size of the response body in bytes. It is necessary for all responses that contain a message body, such as those returned by POST requests.

• Transfer-Encoding: This header describes the encoding used to transfer the response data. Responses that are sent in many pieces are typically set to “chunked.”

• Server: This header describes the software and the server’s version processing the request. It can be used to determine whether the server is misconfigured or obsolete.

You may better understand the request’s condition and possibly diagnose any issues that could cause the 411 Length Required Status Code if you examine these related HTTP response headers.

The Common Causes Of The 411 Length Required

HTTP 411 Length Required error often returns due to too many entries in the Windows registry or invalid entries of the programs you do not have, which are usually caused by an improper uninstallation.

Other common reasons include incorrect user input and missing files that have been accidentally deleted from the registry and may lead to system malfunctions. In solving the problem, it is essential to note when and where your error occurred. Followings are several common causes that you can look at:

• Missing or incorrect Content-Length header: A missing or incorrect Content-Length header appears to be the most frequent cause for the 411 Length Required Status Code. This can happen when you edit request headers on your own or use a tool that does not include the header by default.

• Intermediate proxy or firewall interference: In some cases, the request may be interrupted by an intermediate proxy or firewall, which may remove or modify the Content-Length header. This will cause the server to receive requests with no requested headers, leading to a 411 Length Required error.

• Incorrect configuration: Requests missing the Content-Length header, regardless of whether it is required, may be rejected by your server or application if you misconfigured servers and applications.

• Network issues: Sometimes, the 411 Length Required Status Code may be returned because of network problems such as dropped connections or timeouts. It’s less common than header problems but may occur in some network environments.

Read more: Magento Website Audit Checklist 2023: Don’t Ignore Anything!

4 Methods To Prevent The 411 Length Required Error

If you encounter a 411 Length Required error, it can be described that the Content-Length header in your request is absent.

To resolve this issue, you can manually take some actions or use a tool such as a cURL or a Postman to generate the request. Other solutions are listed below:

1. Check The Request Headers

To ensure that the Content-Length header is present and corresponds at an appropriate level to the size of the request payload, you will first need to review the HTTP request headers.

Edit your request to add the corresponding Content-Length value if it is missing or incorrect. You enable a server to process the request accurately by including this header with its correct value.

2. Verify Intermedia Proxy Or Firewall Settings

Review your proxy settings and rules if you think that an intermediary proxy or firewall might cause the error. Make sure they don’t remove or modify the Content-Length header. To allow the header to be passed without modification, adjust the settings according to this.

3. Utilize Appropriate HTTP Methods

The HTTP POST and PUT requests will most likely encounter the 411 Length Required error. Check whether this suits the intended action if you use a different HTTP method. Think about whether a POST request would be better suited if you were to send a GET request.

4. Update The Latest Versions Of Software Or Libraries

Sometimes unexpected errors may occur due to out-of-date software or libraries used in your application stack. To reduce the chance of the 411 Length Required error appearing, you must use the most recent version of the software.

Conclusion

The 411 Length Required Status Code is a client error displayed to notify the client that the mandatory Content-Length HTTP Header field is absent. With an appropriate message body length, the client can submit a request again.

It may be confusing when encountering the HTTP 411 Length Required error, but the knowledge you learn from this post will make you better aware of its meaning, possible causes, and prevention methods.

You can effectively diagnose and resolve this error by reviewing the request header, checking the proxy or firewall settings using an appropriate HTTP method as well as updating your software.