.htaccess and .htpasswd throwing 500 internal server error

Question

I've created a .htaccess and a .htpasswd file, both using my hosting's tool, uploaded them, and I get an error when I try to view the directory. Why?

my .htaccess file:

AuthName "Restricted Area" 
AuthType Basic 
AuthUserFile /home/u947248131/.htpasswd 
AuthGroupFile /dev/null 
require valid-user

Answer 1

in your .htaccess file is it within

 <Directory /path/to/the/directory >
AuthName "Restricted Area" 
AuthType Basic 
AuthUserFile /home/u947248131/.htpasswd 
AuthGroupFile /dev/null 
require valid-user
</Directory>

More help http://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.2/howto/auth.html#gettingitworking

Otherwise if you can put the error log that would help