access denied

Question

i have been having issues with my hp desktop for a while now with the computer saying access denied at websites such as irs.gov, walmart's payment page, ebay's payment page, survey sites, etc. i have had this issue with microsoft edge, firefox, and google chrome. i have contacted allstate for the extended warranty and they say its the internal software blocking me. any ideas?

Answer 1

Hi!

It could be a problem with your network settings, such as DNS, or your internet connection (some blocking by your modem or provider), or a third-party app.

Does the problem occur on other devices using the same Wi-Fi/Internet? Connect another computer or mobile device to the same network as your computer and try accessing the same websites.

Do you have problems with apps installed on your computer that require internet access, such as games or online apps?

Do you have VPNs, banking apps, or third-party antivirus software on your computer?

While I await your response, see if the problem occurs after a Clean Boot.

1. Press CTRL + R > Type ''msconfig'' (without quotes) > Click on the ''Services'' tab.
2. Check the ''Hide all Microsoft services'' option > Click on ''Disable All'' > ''OK''.

WARNING: Re-enable these services after the tests are complete, otherwise some programs will not work.

⚠️Since you are disabling third-party services, only Microsoft Edge will work.

3. Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC to open the Task Manager > Click on the "Startup" tab > Disable all programs (Right-click on the program > Disable).
4. Restart the computer > See if the problem reappears.
5. If the problem is resolved, it means that a third-party program or service is causing the problem.

NOTE: This procedure is not a solution, just a test. It disables all third-party services and programs. If the problem is solved later, enable the programs and services that will start with Windows again.

• Remember, some programs and services may not work properly.

Answer 2

The pattern of “Access Denied” across many sites and multiple browsers on Windows 10 strongly suggests that network‑side protections or content delivery network (CDN) defenses are blocking the device’s IP address, rather than a problem with a specific browser.

When visiting Microsoft or other CDN‑hosted sites, Akamai and similar CDNs can temporarily block an IP address if it generates too many connections in a short time. In that case, users see an “Access Denied” message with a reference number. The block is usually temporary and is lifted automatically once traffic from that IP drops below the CDN’s protection thresholds.

Because the issue affects multiple browsers (Edge, Firefox, Chrome) on the same HP desktop, the most likely causes are:

1. The public IP address from the internet provider has been temporarily blocked by a CDN (for example, Akamai) due to high connection volume or suspicious traffic.
2. A local security product, firewall, or filtering solution is intercepting or modifying traffic in a way that triggers CDN protections.

In such cases, typical resolution paths include:

1. Reducing or stopping any automated or high‑volume traffic (download managers, aggressive browser extensions, or background tools) so that the connection volume from the IP falls back below CDN thresholds.
2. Waiting for the temporary block to expire; once the CDN no longer sees excessive traffic from that IP, the block is removed automatically.
3. If the network uses a shared public IP (for example, home router, ISP carrier‑grade NAT), restarting the router or modem can sometimes obtain a different public IP address, which avoids the existing block.
4. Checking with the ISP if the public IP has been flagged or if they can assign a new IP.

If the “Access Denied” messages include a reference number, that value uniquely identifies the blocked access attempt and can be used by site or CDN support to investigate why the IP was blocked.

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References:

• Error message when you visit a Microsoft website that is hosted on Akamai CDN: Access Denied