Seeing obscure “SERVER_BAD_CONTENT” errors pop up when browsing on Opera or Chrome? Don’t stress – these bugs can usually be squashed with some simple troubleshooting.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the top fixes for bad content errors to get your browsing back on track. Let’s kick things off!
Why SERVER_BAD_CONTENT Problem Happens on Opera and Chrome Browsers
Before we get to solutions, let’s quickly learn what causes this unhelpful SERVER_BAD_CONTENT error in the first place.
Essentially, it indicates the browser was expecting certain content from the server, but received something totally different. This content mismatch results in the error.
Some common causes include:
- Cache issues – Outdated cached files cause a mismatch between expected and received content.
- Extensions – Problematic extensions inject content that doesn’t match the original.
- Cookies – Expired or corrupt cookies lead to authentication issues and content mismatches.
- DNS problems – Incorrect DNS records point the browser to the wrong server and content.
- Outdated software – Old browser or server versions generate unexpected content.
Now that we know the roots of the problem, let’s get into the fixes!
Troubleshooting Steps to Fix SERVER_BAD_CONTENT Error on Opera Browsers
If you’re seeing SERVER_BAD_CONTENT errors on Opera, try these troubleshooting steps:
Method #1 – Update to the Latest Opera Version
Make sure your Opera browser is fully updated. Older versions may not handle new website content properly, resulting in browser errors.
In Opera, go to Menu > Settings > About Opera. If an update is available, it will prompt you to download it. Install the latest version.
Method #2 – Clear Opera Cache and Cookies
Too much cached data and cookies can cause conflicts that lead to content errors.
To clear:
- Go to Settings > Privacy and Security
- Select “Clear browsing data”
- Check cookies and caches
- Click “Clear browsing data”
Method #3 – Disable Opera Browser Extensions Temporarily
Browser extensions can sometimes inject content that results in mismatches.
Try disabling all extensions one by one and reloading the page that threw the error. If the problem goes away with a specific extension disabled, that extension needs to be removed or updated.
Method #4 – Switch Back to Old Chrome Web Store
If you’re using Opera GX, switching to the new Chrome web store integration could result in content issues.
Revert back to the old Opera extensions store by going to Install More Extensions and toggling off “Use Chrome Web Store”. The old integration may avoid content problems.
Method #5 – Reinstall Opera Completely
If all else fails, do a clean reinstall of the Opera browser. This wipes any corrupt cached files or settings that may be causing consistent content errors.
To reinstall:
- Uninstall Opera from your computer
- Restart your device
- Delete any remaining Opera files and profile folders
- Download the latest Opera version
- Install Opera fresh
Hopefully after a clean install, those annoying SERVER_BAD_CONTENT errors go away for good!
Fixing SERVER_BAD_CONTENT in Google Chrome
For Chrome users, try these top troubleshooting tips:
Method #1 – Clear Cache and Cookies
Just like with Opera, clear out old Chrome cache and cookie data that could be causing conflicts.
Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. Select cached images/files and cookies/site data to remove.
Method #2 – Disable Chrome Browser Extensions
Extensions running in Chrome can also interfere with content loading and cause mismatch errors.
Disable all extensions one by one until you isolate the problematic one. Remove or update it to stop extension-related content issues.
Method #3 – Update Chrome Browser
Make sure you’re running the latest version of Chrome. Bugs in old versions could be the culprit.
Click the 3-dot menu > Help > About Google Chrome to check for and install any pending updates.
Method #4 – Flush the DNS Cache
Corrupted DNS cache records can point Chrome to the wrong server for content. Flushing it resets things.
Type chrome://net-internals/#dns into the address bar and press enter. Click “Clear host cache” to flush the DNS records.
We hope these solutions worked out for you. Try to follow the methods above one at a time and check if it resolves the bad content problem.
