Why does fetch return a 404 error despite the API URL working fine in my browser?

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Why does fetch return a 404 error despite the API URL working fine in my browser?

Asked on Jan 10, 2026

Answer

A 404 error with fetch might occur due to incorrect request configuration or CORS issues, even if the API URL works in your browser. Here's a basic example of using fetch correctly:

<!-- BEGIN COPY / PASTE -->
        fetch('https://api.example.com/data')
            .then(response => {
                if (!response.ok) {
                    throw new Error('Network response was not ok');
                }
                return response.json();
            })
            .then(data => console.log(data))
            .catch(error => console.error('Fetch error:', error));
        <!-- END COPY / PASTE -->

Additional Comment:

Ensure the URL is correct and accessible from your current environment.
Check if CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing) is blocking the request; the server must allow your domain.
Verify the HTTP method (GET, POST, etc.) matches the server's expected method.
Use browser developer tools to inspect network requests for more details.

✅ Answered with JavaScript best practices.

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Why does fetch return a 404 error despite the API URL working fine in my browser?

Asked on Jan 10, 2026

Answer

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