5xx Server error

506 Variant Also Negotiates

The server's content negotiation is misconfigured.

What 506 means

A configuration error in transparent content negotiation. Practically never seen.

Common causes

Server misconfiguration.

How to fix it

If you're calling an API

Report it to the site owner.

If you run the server

Fix the negotiation configuration.

Should you retry?

No.

Example response

HTTP

HTTP/1.1 506 Variant Also Negotiates
Content-Type: application/problem+json

{
  "type": "about:blank",
  "title": "Variant Also Negotiates",
  "status": 506,
  "detail": "The server's content negotiation is misconfigured."
}

Defined in: RFC 2295. 506 is a server error: the problem is on the server's side.

Debugging an API call? Convert your request with the cURL converter, check the response with the JSON formatter, or see whether the API is down on its status page.

HTTP 506 FAQ

What does HTTP 506 mean?

506 Variant Also Negotiates: The server's content negotiation is misconfigured. A configuration error in transparent content negotiation. Practically never seen.

Is 506 a client or server error?

It's a server error (5xx): the server failed to handle a valid request, so the fix is usually on the server's side.

How do I fix a 506 error?

Report it to the site owner.

Should I retry after a 506?

No.

Other 5xx status codes

All HTTP status codes