HTTP 506 Variant Also Negotiates
The server has an internal configuration error with content negotiation.
5xx Server Error
506
Variant Also Negotiates
Description
The 506 Variant Also Negotiates status code indicates that the server has an internal configuration error: the chosen variant resource is configured to engage in transparent content negotiation itself, and is therefore not a proper end point in the negotiation process. This creates a circular reference in the negotiation process. This is an experimental status code defined in RFC 2295 and is very rarely encountered in practice.
When Is It Used?
Indicates a server misconfiguration in content negotiation where a negotiated resource is itself configured to negotiate, creating a circular reference. This is very rare and typically indicates a server configuration error.
Example Response
HTTP/1.1 506 Variant Also Negotiates
Content-Type: text/plain
Transparent content negotiation for the resource resulted in a circular reference.