nginx 412 Precondition Failed

11 min read

The 412 Precondition Failed error in nginx typically occurs when a client makes a request with certain conditions that the server cannot meet. This error is usually seen in the context of conditional requests using the "If-Match" or "If-Unmodified-Since" headers.

Here are a few possible reasons for this error:

  1. If-Match header: The client includes the If-Match header in the request, specifying a particular ETag value for the resource. The server will only process the request if the ETag matches the current version of the resource on the server. If the ETag does not match, the server returns a 412 error.

  2. If-Unmodified-Since header: The client includes the If-Unmodified-Since header in the request, specifying a date and time. The server will only process the request if the resource has not been modified since the specified date. If the resource has been modified, the server returns a 412 error.

  3. Server misconfiguration: The server may be misconfigured, causing it to always return a 412 error for conditional requests. This could be due to incorrect configuration of the HTTP module or a faulty plugin.

To troubleshoot this error, you can try the following steps:

  1. Verify the correctness of the If-Match or If-Unmodified-Since headers sent by the client. Ensure that the ETag value or the specified date is accurate.

  2. Check if the server has been misconfigured to always return a 412 error for conditional requests. Review the server's configuration files, specifically the part related to conditional requests.

  3. Check for any relevant error logs in the server's log files. These logs may provide additional information about the cause of the 412 Precondition Failed error.

  4. Review the server's HTTP module configuration or any relevant plugins to ensure they are properly configured.

If you continue to experience the 412 Precondition Failed error, it may be helpful to consult the nginx documentation or seek assistance from the nginx community for further troubleshooting.