If you receive a 431: Request Header Fields Too Large error when you attempt to visit or log in to a UMN website or application, you may need to clear your web browser's stored cookies associated with the umn.edu domain. You do not need to clear your web browser cache.
This issue can occur as a cumulative effect of visiting various UMN websites and applications that add cookies to your web browser which are scoped to the umn.edu domain name. You may eventually accumulate enough cookies to overwhelm the website or application that you are attempting to visit.
In this article:
- (Recommended Method) Deleting Unnecessary Cookies
- Manually Deleting All Cookies
- After Clearing Cookies
(Recommended Method) Deleting Unnecessary Cookies
- Visit the UMN Cookie Cutter website created by University of Minnesota Libraries IT Staff.
- This website will identify unnecessary tracking cookies that are scoped to the umn.edu domain name and could be contributing to the error you are experiencing.
- Select the Delete These Cookies button.
- You will be redirected to a page listing the cookies that were deleted.
Manually Deleting All Cookies
If you prefer, you can manually delete all cookies or all umn.edu cookies from your web browser. Instructions vary by browser and device.
After Clearing Cookies
After you have deleted your umn.edu browser cookies, you can proceed to visit or login to the webpage that was producing the 431 error. If you are still experiencing the error, contact the IT Help Desk for assistance.