Error:Server returned HTTP response code: 403 for URL: https://services.gradle.org/distributions/gradle-4.4-rc-3-all.zip

Question

I changed my Gradle version to

classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:3.1.0-alpha06'

from

classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:3.1.0-alpha05'

and started getting this error. I tried to clean and rebuild the project but it didn't work. Reverting back to alpha05 version is not working anymore.

appearently the problem is in my gradle-wrapper.properties

distributionBase=GRADLE_USER_HOME
distributionPath=wrapper/dists
zipStoreBase=GRADLE_USER_HOME
zipStorePath=wrapper/dists
distributionUrl=https\://services.gradle.org/distributions/gradle-4.4-rc-3-all.zip

Answer 1

This answer will not solve the OP's problem, but I had exactly the same error, Google gave this SO URL, and my solution was slightly different

I replaced the http with https (note the 's') in the gradle.properties file.

Since others may find this SO question with a Google search, I am posting my answer here.

Answer 2

If you are using gradle-wrapper, navigate to your project folder and delete the gradle subfolder then rebuild the project.