How to Fix Wordfence 403 Error: “A Potentially Unsafe Operation Has Been Detected

If you’ve encountered the frustrating 403 error from Wordfence when trying to upload a plugin, you’re not alone. This issue typically arises due to Wordfence’s strict security rules, which sometimes misinterpret legitimate actions as threats.

🔍 Why Does This Error Happen?

The error usually shows up for the following reasons:

• Uploading large plugin files.
• Wordfence mistakenly flags the plugin file as suspicious.
• Your IP address is temporarily blocked due to multiple failed requests.

🛠️ How to Fix the Wordfence 403 Error

1. Whitelist Your IP
   Navigate to Wordfence > Firewall > Blocking and add your IP to the allowlist to prevent future blocks.
2. Disable Wordfence Temporarily
   • Access your website via FTP or File Manager.
   • Rename the wordfence folder (e.g., wordfence-disabled).
   • Upload the plugin, then rename the folder back afterward.
3. Adjust Firewall Rules
   • Go to Wordfence > Firewall > All Firewall Options.
   • Disable file upload checks temporarily to allow the plugin upload.
4. Increase Upload Limits
   Add these lines to your php.ini or .htaccess file:
   php_value upload_max_filesize 64M php_value post_max_size 64M
5. Clear Browser Cache
   Sometimes, cached data might still trigger blocks. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies.

✅ Conclusion

Wordfence is great for security, but its strict rules can sometimes cause issues. Following the steps above should help you upload your plugin smoothly without disabling your site’s security.

🎥 Watch my YouTube video for a step-by-step walkthrough of how I solved this issue!