Fixing HTTP 415 Error on your Wordpress website - Unsupported media type error

As it's become commonplace for websites to contain different types of media in order to make themselves more appealing, that has increased the odds that sometimes an error might get thrown, and the error in cause is the HTTP 415 error.

What type of issue is the HTTP 415 error

The name of the error is "415 Unsupported Media Type" and it's a server-side error which gets thrown when your servers will refuse a request from the browser, most likely caused by the mismatch between what format the server expects to receive and what the browser sends.

The HTTP 415 Error in Wordpress

When you're working on an Wordpress installation, you might encounter the error in the following scenarios:

1. Working with REST API Requests

Using the WordPress REST API allows you to perform actions on your site using HTTP requests. When you send a request with an unsupported media type in the request headers, the server may respond with a 415 error. This commonly occurs when the client sends data in a format that the server doesn't support or recognize.

2. Common Form Submissions

WordPress websites often employ form plugins or custom forms to collect user data and files. If a client submits a form with an incorrect or unsupported media type, the server may return a HTTP 415 error. This issue can arise when the server expects a specific content type (e.g., JSON or XML) but receives a different format or no format at all.

3. During File Uploads

Uploading files to a WordPress site is a common task. However, if the server receives a file with an unsupported media type, it may reject the upload and generate a 415 error. The server typically checks the media type of the uploaded file (e.g., image/jpeg for JPEG images) to ensure compatibility.

Resolving the HTTP 415 Error

We know that encountering the HTTP 415 error can be a bit frustrating, so here are steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Check Request Headers: Start by examining the request headers to ensure that the "Content-Type" header accurately reflects the media type being sent. If the content type is incorrect, update the request to use the appropriate media type.
2. Plugin/Theme Compatibility: If the error occurs during form submissions or REST API requests, consider any plugins or themes that might be altering the request handling process. Temporarily disable any recently installed or updated plugins and switch to a default theme to identify if they are causing the issue.
3. File Validation: If the HTTP 415 error relates to file uploads, validate that the file being uploaded has the correct media type and is supported by the server. Check server configurations and review any restrictions imposed by security plugins that might interfere with file uploads.
4. Server Configuration: In some cases, the server configuration may be misconfigured or lack support for specific media types. If you've exhausted other options, contact your hosting provider or server administrator to review and adjust the server's configuration accordingly.