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How to Fix the “Access Denied” Error in AWS S3 (Simple Guide)

The “Access Denied” error in AWS S3 is one of the most common issues beginners face. This problem usually happens because of incorrect permissions, but the good news is that it’s easy to fix once you understand how S3 access works.

If you're preparing for aws training and certification or planning to take an aws course, learning S3 permission troubleshooting is extremely important.

Why the “Access Denied” Error Happens

Here are the most common causes:

  • Bucket policy blocking access
  • IAM user or role missing required permissions
  • "Block Public Access" settings enabled
  • ACL (Access Control List) conflicts
  • Object-level permissions not matching bucket policy

How to Fix the “Access Denied” Error in AWS S3

Below are the correct and safe steps.

1. Check IAM Permissions

Make sure the IAM user or role has the correct permissions.

Example for reading objects:

{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": ["s3:GetObject"],
"Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::your-bucket-name/*"
}

Permission for uploading:

{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": ["s3:PutObject"],
"Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::your-bucket-name/*"
}

2. Review the Bucket Policy

A missing or incorrect policy can cause “Access Denied.”

Example public-read policy (use only if needed):

{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Principal": "",
"Action": "s3:GetObject",
"Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::your-bucket-name/"
}

3. Check Block Public Access Settings

If you want public access:

  • Go to S3 bucket settings
  • Open "Block Public Access"
  • Disable only the options needed

4. Fix ACL (Access Control List) Issues

ACL issues happen when:

  • Someone else uploaded the file
  • You don’t have ownership
  • Permissions were not granted properly

Check object ACL and bucket ACL carefully.

5. Compare Bucket and Object Permissions

Even if bucket policy is correct, the object may still block access.

Why Learning S3 Permissions Matters

Understanding S3 access is a key part of cloud computing. Students preparing for aws training in bangalore or cloud jobs must know how to fix real AWS issues like S3 permissions, IAM roles, EC2 errors, etc.

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Eduleem focuses on practical AWS training with real-world troubleshooting.

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