How to Fix 404 Errors in WordPress

A Complete Guide on How to Fix 404 Errors in WordPress.

Encountering a 404 error on your WordPress site can be frustrating both for you and your visitors. A 404 error means that the server could not find the page requested by the user. It’s important to address these errors promptly to ensure a smooth user experience and maintain good SEO standings. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to fix 404 errors in WordPress.

Table of Contents

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix 404 Errors

The most common cause of 404 errors in WordPress is an issue with the permalink structure. Here’s how to reset your permalinks:

  1. Navigate to the WordPress Dashboard.
  2. Go to Settings > Permalinks.
  3. Click Save Changes without making any changes. This refreshes the permalink settings.

2. Check .htaccess File

The .htaccess file controls how URLs are displayed. An incorrect .htaccess file can cause 404 errors.

  1. Access your site via FTP or a file manager in your hosting control panel.
  2. Locate the .htaccess file in the root directory.
  3. Edit the .htaccess file and ensure it contains the default WordPress code.
  4. Save and upload the file.
# BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
</IfModule>
# END WordPress

3. Deactivate and Reactivate Plugins

Sometimes, plugins can interfere with the URL structure.

  1. Go to the WordPress Dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
  3. Deactivate all plugins.
  4. Check if the 404 error persists.
  5. Reactivate each plugin one by one, checking the site after each activation to identify the problematic plugin.

4. Switch to a Default Theme

Themes can also cause 404 errors if they are improperly coded.

  1. Go to the WordPress Dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Appearance > Themes.
  3. Activate a default WordPress theme (such as Twenty Twenty-One).
  4. Check if the error is resolved.

Broken links can lead to 404 errors. Use tools like Broken Link Checker to find and fix broken links on your site.

6. Redirect Old URLs

If you have recently changed your site’s URL structure, you may need to set up redirects from the old URLs to the new ones.

  1. Install a redirection plugin like Redirection.
  2. Go to Tools > Redirection and set up 301 redirects from the old URLs to the new URLs.

7. Clear Caches

Cached versions of your pages might be causing 404 errors.

  1. Clear your browser cache.
  2. Clear your site cache if you are using a caching plugin.
  3. Clear your server cache if your host provides caching services.

8. Contact Your Hosting Provider

If none of the above solutions work, contact your hosting provider. There may be a server issue causing the 404 errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What causes 404 errors in WordPress?

A1: Common causes include incorrect permalink settings, corrupted .htaccess files, problematic plugins or themes, broken links, and server issues.

Q2: How do I know which links are causing 404 errors?

A2: You can use tools like Google Search Console or Broken Link Checker to identify broken links causing 404 errors.

Q3: Will changing permalinks affect my SEO?

A3: Changing permalinks can affect your SEO if not handled properly. It’s important to set up proper redirects to ensure that search engines and visitors are directed to the correct URLs.

Q4: Can plugins cause 404 errors?

A4: Yes, some plugins, especially those that modify the URL structure or .htaccess file, can cause 404 errors.

Q5: How can I prevent 404 errors in the future?

A5: Regularly check for broken links, avoid changing permalinks frequently, use reliable themes and plugins, and monitor your site’s performance using tools like Google Search Console.

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