How To Fix 404 Errors in WordPress: A Comprehensive Guide

How To Fix 404 Errors in WordPress: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’ve encountered a 404 error on your WordPress site, you’re not alone. A 404 error indicates that the page you’re trying to access cannot be found. This can happen for various reasons, but the good news is that it’s often fixable. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to diagnose and repair 404 errors in WordPress, even if you’re a beginner.

Understanding 404 Errors

A 404 error typically appears when a web page has been moved, deleted, or the URL has been entered incorrectly. Knowing why the error occurs can help you troubleshoot effectively.

Step 1: Check the URL

Before diving into more complex solutions, start by checking the URL for any typos. Ensure that the spelling, punctuation, and casing (URL paths are case-sensitive) are correct.

Step 2: Clear Your Browser Cache

Sometimes, your browser might load an older version of the page. To address this, clear your browser cache:

1. On Chrome, click the three dots in the top right corner.
2. Go to “More Tools” > “Clear Browsing Data”.
3. Select “Cached images and files” and click “Clear data”.

Step 3: Check Your Permalink Settings

Often, 404 errors can be fixed by resetting your permalink settings:

1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Navigate to “Settings” > “Permalinks”.
3. Select your desired permalink structure (e.g., Post name).
4. Click the “Save Changes” button, even if you haven’t made any modifications.

Step 4: Disable Plugins

Conflicting plugins can cause 404 errors. To check if a plugin is the problem, temporarily disable all plugins:

1. In your dashboard, go to “Plugins” > “Installed Plugins”.
2. Select all plugins by checking the box at the top.
3. From the “Bulk Actions” dropdown, select “Deactivate” and click “Apply”.
4. After deactivating, check if the 404 error persists. If it’s resolved, reactivate plugins one at a time to identify the culprit.

Step 5: Switch to a Default Theme

Your theme might also be causing the error. To trace if this is the issue:

1. Go to “Appearance” > “Themes”.
2. Activate a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-One.
3. Check if the 404 error is still occurring. If it’s resolved, your previous theme might be the cause.

Step 6: Fix Your .htaccess File

Sometimes, a corrupt .htaccess file can lead to 404 errors. Here’s how to reset it:

1. Connect to your website using an FTP client or through cPanel File Manager.
2. Locate your .htaccess file in the root folder of your WordPress installation.
3. Download a backup copy of the file.
4. Now, delete the .htaccess file from the server.
5. Return to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to “Settings” > “Permalinks”, and click “Save Changes” again. This will create a new .htaccess file.

Step 7: Check for Broken Links

If you’re linking to deleted posts or pages, you may encounter 404 errors. Use a broken link checker plugin, like “Broken Link Checker”, to find and fix these links:

1. In your dashboard, go to “Plugins” > “Add New”.
2. Search for “Broken Link Checker” and install it.
3. Activate the plugin and let it scan your site for broken links.
4. Follow the displayed instructions to correct or remove broken links.

Step 8: Recreate the Missing Page

In some cases, you may need to recreate the page if it was deleted. Check your trash to see if the page is there:

1. Go to “Pages” in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Check the “Trash” to see if the page you need is available.
3. If found, restore the page. If not, consider creating a new page with the same content.

Step 9: Contact Your web host

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, there may be a server problem. Reach out to your web host‘s support team for assistance. They can help diagnose issues that may not be accessible through your WordPress setup.

Conclusion

Encountering a 404 error on your WordPress site can be frustrating, but by following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively troubleshoot and fix these errors. Remember, it’s a common issue, and with the right approach, you’ll have your site up and running smoothly in no time.