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WordPress Authorization Header Is Missing or Stripped

The hosting stack, reverse proxy, redirect or WAF removes the Authorization header before WordPress receives it.

Verify through sanitized server evidence that the Authorization header reaches WordPress.

Likely causes

  • The hosting stack, reverse proxy, redirect or WAF removes the Authorization header before WordPress receives it.
  • A WAF or security rule blocks the specific REST path, method, payload or authentication pattern.
  • A redirect changes the scheme, host or path and may also discard authentication headers.
  • The proxy does not forward the scheme information WordPress needs to recognize HTTPS.
  • The client calls the wrong domain, base path, REST route or MCP endpoint.

Diagnostic sequence

  1. Verify through sanitized server evidence that the Authorization header reaches WordPress.
  2. Trace every redirect and verify whether scheme, host, path and Authorization are preserved.
  3. Review the exact WAF or security-plugin event for the route, method and rule identifier.
  4. Record WordPress, plugin, client, connector and server versions before changing anything.
  5. Use a minimal authenticated identity check to confirm which WordPress user the request represents.
  6. Confirm the exact scheme, host, base path and endpoint configured in the client.

Apply the smallest correction

  1. Configure the trusted server or proxy path to pass the Authorization header to WordPress.
  2. Adjust only the verified false-positive WAF rule, path or method instead of disabling protection globally.
  3. Remove or correct the redirect that changes the authenticated request unexpectedly.
  4. Correct the client endpoint, transport, tool name or credential reference without broadening WordPress permissions.
  5. Escalate with sanitized, versioned evidence when the behavior remains specific to the plugin.

Verify the result

  • Sanitized server evidence confirms that the Authorization header reaches WordPress.
  • The authenticated request resolves to the intended dedicated WordPress user.
  • The approved narrow read succeeds with a reproducible response.
  • The authenticated request reaches the canonical endpoint without an unexpected redirect.

What not to do

  • Do not disable the WAF or security plugin globally to bypass one request.
  • Do not place an Application Password, Authorization header, token or cookie in a prompt, ticket, log excerpt or screenshot.
  • Do not expose debug logs or diagnostic endpoints publicly.
  • Do not add an unverified permanent proxy workaround before confirming the trusted request path.
  • Do not grant administrator access merely to make a connection test pass.

Sources and verification

This page was checked against the following primary sources. Last source review: .