422 Error Code - What Is It and How to Fix It?

The 422 error code stands for “Unprocessable Entity.” It is one of the numerous 4XX HTTP status codes that identify a client-side problem when a visitor’s browser or application attempts to connect to a server.

This error appears in particular cases, primarily involving API interactions, so it’s not one of the common ones. It mainly concerns web developers utilizing API integration, so you are less likely to see it while browsing online.

This article will delve into what is 422 error code, what causes it, how to troubleshoot it, and some of the best practices for avoiding it.

The most common cause of the error message is that the request is semantically incorrect. That means the structure of the request is syntactically correct, but the contained instructions have no meaning, and the server can’t process them.

Example of a 422 Status Code

Let’s take the following case for example. Imagine you’re trying to sign up for a new account on a website. You fill out a form with your username, email, and age.

When you hit the “Submit” button, the information you entered is sent to the website’s server. The data is in a format called XML, which is a way of structuring data, and the server will use it to create your account. Here’s what the XML data might look like when it’s sent to the server:

<user>
 <username>john_doe</username>
 <email>john.doe@example.com</email>
 <age>twenty-five</age>
</user>

However, some of the input data in the XML request body does not meet the server’s criteria.

• Age field: The server expects the age to be a number (like 25), but it received the word “twenty-five”. It can’t process this because it doesn’t know how to convert words into numbers.
• Username issues: The username “john_doe” might already be taken by someone else. The server has rules that prevent duplicate usernames, which causes validation errors.

Since the server can’t use the user input to create your new account, it responds with a 422 Unprocessable Entity error, that includes several HTTP headers. These headers provide additional context about the response and the server. Here’s what the headers might look like in the example scenario:

HTTP/1.1 422 Unprocessable Entity
Content-Type: application/json
Content-Length: 245
Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2023 12:34:56 GMT
Server: Apache/2.4.41 (Ubuntu)

X-Powered-By: PHP/7.4.3

How to Troubleshoot 422 Error?

Before you start unraveling the problem, it is important to find its root cause. This will save you time and effort and steer you in the right direction. Thankfully, several tools can provide insights into what could be the issue.

Use HTTP Status Checker

You can use an HTTP status checker to confirm the type of problem you are dealing with when your requests to a certain website or application return an error.

HTTP status checkers work by sending an HTTP request to the URL you submitted and listing the error codes of the web server’s responses.

Using such a tool will give you a clear idea of whether you are dealing with a 422 status or another response code and focus on resolving the exact problem.

Check the Server Logs

Your website’s server logs are another source of information on why your website returns a 422 status code. If you are the owner or webmaster and your website produces the error, look for the server logs, which should be located in your web host’s control panel.

SiteGround users can find raw access logs in Site Tools > Statistics > Access Logs. Here, each visit and the corresponding HTTP status code from the respective website are logged for owners and webmasters to examine.

Use Debugging Tools

When troubleshooting a 422 error, debugging tools can be invaluable in identifying and resolving the underlying issues. They allow you to closely examine the interaction between the client and server, providing insights into potential data validation problems.

There are various types of debugging tools suitable for different environments and workflows, such as Postman for API testing, Fiddler for capturing HTTP traffic, or browser developer tools (e.g., Google Developer Console) for web applications. These tools help you analyze the requests and responses exchanged with the server.

Let’s take the Google Developer Console for example, since it is readily available in every Chrome browser. If you experience an error on a particular page, right-click on it and select Inspect.

Open the Network tab and recreate the events and conditions that originally triggered the error. The request which produces the 422 response should be marked in red. Click on it and then examine its Headers tab. Here, you can find detailed information about the HTTP response and the server in the Response Headers section.

How to Fix 422 Error?

Once you’ve gone through troubleshooting and established you are dealing with a 422 response code, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get it fixed. Naturally, the cause of the problem determines the fix. Here are some of the most common strategies for solving the 422 error.

Correct the Data Input

Review and adjust the data being sent in the request to ensure it meets the server’s requirements. This includes correcting any syntax errors, ensuring data formats are valid (e.g., dates, emails), and providing accurate information.

For example, if you receive the error while submitting a contact form, ensure that the data is in the correct format – the age is an integer, the email address follows the conventional format, etc.

Fill In All Required Fields

Make sure that all mandatory request data fields are completed. Check the API documentation or form requirements to identify which fields are necessary and ensure they are not left blank.

Match Data Type Correctly

Verify that the data types of each field in the request match what the server expects.

For instance, if a field requires an integer (like age or ZIP code), ensure that no string or boolean values are being sent instead.

Repair Corrupted Databases (for WordPress)

When it comes to WordPress, a corrupted database may prevent a website from processing requests correctly and produce a 422 error.

You have several options for repairing a WordPress database: you can use a plugin with database repair capabilities, repair tables from phpMyAdmin, or use the built-in WordPress database repair mode.

One of the most popular plugins is WP-DBManager, but it comes with a caveat – at the time of this article, the plugin hasn’t been updated for more than a year and hasn’t been tested with the last three major WordPress releases. Thus, you should be careful and take precautions, such as creating a backup of your website before using the plugin.

The built-in WordPress repair mode is more reliable, although it takes more effort. SiteGround users can follow these steps to enable it in Site Tools:

1. Go to Site Tools > Site > File Manager.
2. Navigate to your website’s root folder. The path is yourdomain.com/public_html.
3. Select the file wp-config.php and press Edit.
   

   

4. Just above the line “/* That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */”, add the following code:

   define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);

5. Press Save to keep the changes.
   

   

6. Open your browser and type the following address:
   https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php
   Replace yourdomain.com with your own website domain.
7. Choose between Repair Database and Repair and Optimize Database.
   

   

8. Once finished, go back to editing the wp-config.php file. Remove the line you previously added:
   define(‘WP_ALLOW_REPAIR’, true);
9. Save the changes to the wp-config.php file after deleting the line.

How to Prevent the 422 Error?

Implementing the best practices in data validation and application maintenance ensures the data sent to the server is accurate and complete. Hence, you will avoid most scenarios that could cause a 422 response code. Here are some effective strategies to prevent this error:

• Implementing Form Validation – Use comprehensive form validation on both the client and server sides. Client-side validation provides immediate feedback and instructions to users, while server-side validation ensures only valid data reaches the server.
• Server-Side Validation – Establish strict server-side validation rules to verify the incoming data meets all criteria (required fields, data types, and formats.) This layer of validation is crucial as malicious users cannot bypass it.
• Regular Code Updates – Keep your application and its dependencies up to date. Regular updates ensure you benefit from the latest security patches and improvements, reducing the risk of errors due to outdated or incompatible code.

Causes of the 422 Error

Understanding the causes of a 422 status code is crucial for effective troubleshooting and prevention. Here are some common reasons why this error might occur:

• Invalid Data – The request contains data that doesn’t adhere to the expected format or constraints, such as invalid email addresses or improperly formatted dates.
• Incorrect Data Type – The request fields have data types that do not match what the server expects. For instance, a field contains a string instead of an integer.
• Semantic Errors – The request is syntactically correct but semantically erroneous. In other words, the data fails to meet the logical rules or business logic defined by the server.
• Missing Required Fields – One or more mandatory fields are absent from the request, preventing the server from processing it.
• Strict Server Rules – The server has stringent validation rules that the request fails to meet, often requiring precise data formats or values.
• Invalid API Requests – The API calls do not conform to the defined parameters or schema, so the server rejects them.
• Server-Side Errors – Issues on the server, such as misconfigured validation logic, can result in a 422 error.
• Corrupted Database Tables – For applications like WordPress, database corruption can prevent valid requests from being processed correctly.

422 Status Code Variations

The 422 error “Unprocessable Entity” has many variations. The exact error message depends on the application, web server, and problem involved in the interaction. Below are some of the most frequently encountered framings of the 422 status code.

• 422 Error “Unprocessable Entity”
• HTTP error code 422 unprocessable entity
• Error Code: 422
• error submitting cart: error: request failed with status code 422
• error: request failed with status code 422

What is the 422 Error Impact on SEO and User Experience?

The 422 error code can significantly affect search engine optimization (SEO) and user experience. So, you should be mindful of it in case your website starts producing it and be proactive in fixing it.

Impact on SEO

• Crawling and Indexing Issues – Search engines may encounter 422 errors when attempting to crawl and index your website. If essential pages consistently return this error, they might not be indexed, leading to reduced visibility in search results.
• Negative SEO Signals – Frequent 422 errors can signal to search engines that a website has technical issues, potentially affecting its ranking. Search engines prioritize websites with smooth, error-free user experiences.
• Content Accessibility – If the content is inaccessible due to 422 errors, it can result in missed opportunities for ranking on relevant keywords, diminishing the site’s overall SEO performance.

Impact on User Experience:

• Frustrating Users – Encountering a 422 error can frustrate users, as it indicates that their actions, such as form submissions or data entries, are not being processed. This can lead to dissatisfaction and a higher bounce rate.
• Loss of Trust and Credibility – Persistent errors can undermine users’ trust in a website’s reliability, potentially deterring them from returning.
• Reduced Conversion Rates – If users cannot complete desired actions due to 422 errors, such as purchasing products or signing up for services, it can directly impact conversion rates and revenue.

Overall, you should regularly monitor your website’s SEO performance and signals to search engines. One handy tool is Google Search Console, which allows you to see the response codes your website sends to Google crawlers, catch potential problems, and fix them before they harm your SEO score.

What is the Difference Between 400 and 422 Status Codes?

The 400 “Bad Request” and 422 “Unprocessable Entity” status codes describe a problematic client request, but they signal different issues.

With a 400 Bad Request, the web server tells the client that it can’t understand the request due to malformed syntax, invalid request frame, or structural issues.

In a 422 Unprocessable Entity response, the web server informs the client that it understands the request syntax but can’t process it due to semantical errors (e.g., invalid data, missing data, logical errors, etc.)

Conclusion

Effectively managing the 422 error code is essential for delivering a seamless user experience and optimizing SEO performance. By understanding its causes and implementing robust practices, you can reduce its occurrence.

Proactive measures like regular code updates and comprehensive data validation address immediate issues and enhance the overall reliability and professionalism of your web application or website.