How do I fix a 304 status code that produces a blank page?

Question

Hi all, I have a very frustrating problem with some of my images or urls. It seems that something has happened and there are certain words now that are probably blocked in GET Requests. Examples include the words "android", "wind" and "credit". Here is a list of the main observations:

1. The problem occurs in the entire server, which means that no matter which domain I choose to serve, let's say, an "android..png", I always get a 304 error followed by a blank page.
2. If I rename the same "android.png" to something else, such as "example.png" or "google-os.png", the image is served as it was supposed to.
3. I have already checked the Request Filtering section for relevant entries, but the section is empty.
4. I have checked every web.config for a "hiddenSegments" section and I haven't found any.

Has anyone got a clue about the problem?

Answer 1

Hello Batcic,

Thank you for your question and for reaching out with your question today.

The 304 status code is not an error but an indication that the requested resource has not been modified since the last time it was accessed. It is a form of caching mechanism used by web servers and browsers to optimize performance. However, if you're seeing a blank page after receiving a 304 response, there may be other factors causing the issue. Here are a few suggestions to troubleshoot and resolve the problem:

1. Clear your browser cache: The browser cache may be storing outdated information, leading to the blank page. Clearing the cache can help in such cases. Try accessing the page using a different browser or in incognito/private mode to bypass the cache.
2. Disable caching temporarily: Temporarily disable caching on the server or in your application to see if the issue persists. This will help identify if the problem is related to caching.
3. Check server configurations: Ensure that there are no server-level configurations or rules that could be interfering with the specific URLs or blocking certain words. Double-check your server's configuration files and settings related to caching, URL rewriting, or filtering to ensure they are not causing the issue.
4. Examine response headers: Use developer tools or browser extensions to inspect the response headers received from the server. Look for any caching-related headers, such as "Cache-Control" or "Expires," to ensure they are properly set and not causing unexpected caching behavior.
5. Review application logic: If you have any custom code or scripts that handle the requests and responses, review them to ensure they are not causing the issue. Check for any conditions or rules that might be triggering the blank page when specific words or URLs are requested.
6. Consult with your hosting provider or system administrator: If the issue persists and you are unable to identify the cause, it may be helpful to reach out to your hosting provider or system administrator for further assistance. They can investigate the server configuration and provide guidance specific to your environment.

Remember to back up any configuration files before making changes and test each step thoroughly to ensure you do not introduce any unintended issues.

I used AI provided by ChatGPT to formulate part of this response. I have verified that the information is accurate before sharing it with you.

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Best regards.