Several people are complaining that their web browser won’t let them access specific websites. “Error Code 15: This request was blocked by the security rules” is the error that appears the most frequently. This error indicates that the security restrictions in place are preventing the browser from initiating the request (i.e., visiting the website). The problem is confirmed to occur on all the most recent versions of Windows, including Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10. It is not browser-specific, occurring with all the leading browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera.
“Error code 15 – This request was blocked by the security rules” error: What causes it?
We investigated this specific issue by examining several user reports and the troubleshooting techniques they successfully applied to fix the problem. Based on our findings, there are a few rather typical situations that are recognized to cause this specific problem:
Incorrect Date And Time
This problem may arise if the web server restricts access to the proper time and date configurations. Numerous impacted customers have stated that after changing the date via the Control panel, the problem stopped happening. It was observed that Microsoft Edge is the most frequently reported browser to cause this, it was also discovered other complaints from users of other browsers that were able to fix the problem by adjusting the time and date. Here is how we can fix this issue,
- Press the Windows key + Rto open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “cpl” and press Enter to open up the Date and Time panel
- Inside the Date and Timewindow, go over to the Internet Time tab and click on Change settings.
- Inside the Internet Time settings, check the box associated withSynchronize with an Internet Time server, set the Server to windows.com, and click on Update now.
- Move over to theDate and Time tab, click on Change time zone, and make sure you’re using the correct one. Then, click on Change date and time and ensure that the date is selected properly.
- Restart your computer and see if the issue has been resolved and you are now able to access the website at the next startup.
Your IP range is geo-blocked
If the issue persists after adjusting the date and time, the next common problem can be your IP range. It’s also conceivable that the specific web server you’re attempting to reach has set up certain pre-established guidelines about the visitor’s IP address. In this instance, you ought to be able to get around the problem by employing a VPN option. Here’s a simple tutorial on how to use a VPN service (Hide.me) to get around the “Error Code 15: This request was blocked by the security rules” error:
- To download the free version of Hide.me, go to this page (here), click the Download Now button, and then click Register (under Free).
- To register, fill in the following box with your email address. You will receive a verification email, so be sure it’s legitimate.
- To begin, navigate to the verification email and select “Activate my account.”
- Select your account’s username and password from the following screen, then click “Create account.”
- After logging into your account, select Pricing > Free and press the Apply Now button.
- Then select the Download clients tab and click the corresponding Download button for your operating system.
- Install the Hide.me program by opening the installation executable after the download is finished. The installation can then be finished by following the on-screen instructions.
- After the installation is finished, click Start your free trial after logging into your account.
- To choose a place that is convenient for you, click the Change button in the bottom-right corner. Next, just select Enable VPN.
- Check to see if the website where the error message “Error Code 15: This request was blocked by the security rules” was appearing has fixed the problem.
3rd party AV/firewall is preventing you from accessing the website
As several users have reported, this particular issue can also be caused by an overprotective security suite. Some users have reported that the site became accessible again after they disabled or uninstalled the 3rd party security suite. This post offers a list of tested troubleshooting methods in case you’re trying to figure out how to bypass the “Error Code 15: This request was blocked by the security rules” error.
Deactivating the security solution is also considered helpful. This problem may also arise if you’re running an overly protective firewall or antivirus program, as some users have confirmed. A self-updating list of websites that are prohibited is now a feature found in the majority of these third-party security suites. As you may expect, though, some are more precise than others.
You may find yourself unexpectedly unable to access the website if your external security solution has blocked access to the website you are trying to visit. In this instance, turning off your third-party security program should assist you in figuring out whether the issue is with your firewall or antivirus software.