Is there a way in Javascript (and jQuery) to check if a URL is status 200 (specifically not 404) without downloading it's contents if it is in fact status 200?

For example, I want to check if a download link to a video works before executing some code. The issue when I use $.ajax() is that when the link does in fact work, it will only notify me AFTER the download has finished. In a way is there a way to just "ping" the url to see if it works without getting it's contents?

Is there a way in Javascript (and jQuery) to check if a URL is status 200 (specifically not 404) without downloading it's contents if it is in fact status 200?

For example, I want to check if a download link to a video works before executing some code. The issue when I use $.ajax() is that when the link does in fact work, it will only notify me AFTER the download has finished. In a way is there a way to just "ping" the url to see if it works without getting it's contents?

• javascript
• jquery
• ajax

Share Improve this question Follow edited Sep 17, 2014 at 6:16 thriqon 2,4882020 silver badges2424 bronze badges asked Sep 17, 2014 at 5:35 Tony LiTony Li 14711 silver badge1010 bronze badges

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Sorted by: Reset to default 10

You can try a HEAD request, which should acplish what you are trying to do:

jQuery.ajax({type: "HEAD", url: "http://google./"})

This type of request is mainly used by browsers to check cache validity, but it also should work here.