Table of contents

1. Reset permalinks2. Restore .htaccess file3. Clear cache and cookies4. Check for broken links5. Check file permissions6. Disable plugins/themes7. Contact your hosting providerWhy it’s important to fix 404 errorsWhen NOT to fix 404 errorsBonus

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WordPress Guide → Errors → Fixing 404

Fixing 404 errors in WordPress: 7 simple solutions

Few things are more frustrating for visitors than running into a “Page Not Found” or “404 Not Found” error—and for site owners, these messages can quietly damage SEO and erode user trust if they’re not addressed. Whether it’s caused by a deleted post, a broken link, or a permalink issue, seeing “The page cannot be found” is a signal something’s gone off track behind the scenes.

The good news is that most of these common WordPress errors are easy to fix with just a few quick checks.

Fixing 404 errors in WordPress

Fixing 404 errors in WordPress typically involves checking your permalink settings, updating or flushing rewrite rules, and making sure the content still exists at the intended URL. You can start by going to Settings > Permalinks in your dashboard and clicking “Save Changes” to refresh your site’s URL structure.

From there, check for broken or outdated links, ensure pages and posts haven’t been moved or deleted, and consider setting up 301 redirects for any content that’s been relocated. Using a plugin or your server’s .htaccess file can help automate and manage these fixes more efficiently.

1. Reset permalinks

Permalinks are the permanent URLs of your web pages and posts on your WordPress site. They are crucial for both usability and SEO, as they help search engines and users navigate your content.

However, incorrect or broken permalinks can lead to 404 errors. Resetting your permalinks is a simple solution that can often resolve these errors.

To reset your permalinks in WordPress:

Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
Navigate to the ‘Settings’ menu on the left sidebar and select ‘Permalinks.’
On the Permalink Settings page, note your current settings so you can revert if needed.
Click the ‘Save Changes’ button at the bottom of the page without altering any settings to regenerate your permalink structure.
Check your website to see if the 404 errors have been resolved. If some still exist, review the specific pages for any additional issues.

2. Restore .htaccess file

The .htaccess file is a powerful configuration file used by Apache web servers, allowing you to manage website settings at the directory level. It controls various aspects, including URL redirections, access permissions, and error handling.

A corrupted or misconfigured .htaccess file can cause 404 errors. Restoring this file to its default state can often resolve these errors.

To restore your .htaccess file:

Use an FTP client or a file manager provided by your hosting provider to access your WordPress installation files.
Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress site and locate the .htaccess file. Ensure your FTP client is set to show hidden files, as .htaccess is a hidden file by default.
Download the current .htaccess file to your local computer as a backup.
Delete or rename the .htaccess file to something like .htaccess_old.
Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard, navigate to ‘Settings,’ and then ‘Permalinks.’ Click the ‘Save Changes’ button to create a new .htaccess file with default settings.
Check your website to see if the 404 errors have been resolved by navigating through various pages.

3. Clear cache and cookies

Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies can resolve 404 errors in WordPress. Browsers store cache data to speed up loading times for frequently visited websites, but this can sometimes lead to outdated versions of your site being displayed, causing 404 errors.

By clearing your cache and cookies, you can ensure that your browser fetches the most current version of your site.

To clear your cache and cookies:

Open your browser and locate the settings or preferences menu, typically found in the top right corner under the three-dot or three-line icon.
Navigate to the ‘Privacy and Security’ section where options related to your browsing data are found.
Click on ‘Clear browsing data’ or ‘Clear cache.’
Select the time range for which you want to clear data; for a thorough clean, choose ‘All time.’
Check both ‘Cached images and files’ and ‘Cookies and other site data’ to remove both cache and cookies.
Click on the ‘Clear data’ button and wait for the process to complete.
Refresh your browser and revisit your WordPress site to check if the 404 error persists.

4. Check for broken links

Broken links are a common cause of 404 errors in WordPress. They can occur due to outdated URLs, deleted pages, or changes in permalink structures.

To check for broken links in your WordPress site:

Use a broken link checker plugin: Install a reliable broken link checker plugin from the WordPress repository. Popular options include ‘Broken Link Checker‘ and ‘Broken Link Checker by AIOSEO.’ These plugins will automatically scan your site for broken links and provide a comprehensive report.
Manually check your links: Go through your site’s pages and posts, clicking on links to spot any that may have been missed by plugins. This method can be time-consuming, especially for larger sites.
Review your site’s analytics: Use tools like Google Analytics to identify pages with high bounce rates, as these pages may contain broken links.
Update or remove broken links: Once you’ve identified broken links, update them with the correct URLs or remove them entirely to ensure that your links direct users to active pages.

5. Check file permissions

Incorrect file permissions can prevent your server from accessing essential files, resulting in broken links and error pages. Ensuring that your file permissions are set correctly is crucial for your site’s functionality and can be a straightforward fix.

To check and correct file permissions:

Use an FTP client like FileZilla or access your hosting control panel (such as cPanel) to connect to your website’s server.
Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation, where folders like ‘wp-content‘, ‘wp-admin’, and ‘wp-includes’ are located.
Right-click on the folders and files to view their permissions. The recommended permissions are typically 755 for directories and 644 for files.
If you find any discrepancies, change the permissions by selecting ‘File permissions’ from the right-click menu. Enter the appropriate numeric value (755 for folders, 644 for files) and apply the changes.
Revisit your site to see if the 404 errors have been resolved. Clear your browser cache and refresh the page to check for improvements.

6. Disable plugins/themes

Conflicting plugins or themes can cause 404 errors on your WordPress site. Plugins and themes enhance your website’s functionality and appearance, but sometimes they can interfere with each other or with the core WordPress system, resulting in broken links and 404 errors. Disabling them can help you identify the source of the problem and potentially resolve the issue.

To disable plugins and themes:

Log in to your WordPress admin area, typically found at yourdomain.com/wp-admin.
Navigate to the ‘Plugins’ section on the left sidebar. Click on the ‘Deactivate’ link below the plugin name to disable a plugin. Start by disabling all plugins, then check your site for 404 errors.
After deactivating the plugins, visit your site to see if the 404 errors persist. If they’re gone, re-enable each plugin one by one to identify the problematic one.
If the error continues after deactivating all plugins, consider switching to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-One). Go to ‘Appearance’ > ‘Themes,’ and activate a default theme.
Once you’ve switched themes, revisit your website to check for 404 errors. If the issue is resolved, the problem lies with your previous theme.
After identifying the conflict, you can restore your original plugins or theme. Find alternatives or updates for those causing the issues.

7. Contact your hosting provider

If you have tried all the previous solutions and the issue persists, it may be time to reach out to your hosting provider. This step is essential when the problem is rooted in server configurations or if there are underlying issues affecting your website’s performance.

Your hosting provider has access to server logs and settings that can reveal critical insights into what might be causing these errors.

To contact your hosting provider:

Collect relevant information about the 404 errors you are experiencing. Note the specific URLs that return 404 errors, any changes made to your site before the issue arose, and the frequency of the errors.
Visit your hosting provider’s website to find their support options, such as a ticketing system, live chat, or phone support.
When you contact support, provide them with the information you gathered earlier. Clearly describe the problem, including any troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken.
Monitor your email or support channel for responses. If you do not receive a reply within the expected timeframe, consider following up to ensure your request has been addressed.

Why it’s important to fix 404 errors

Encountering a 404 error on your WordPress website can be frustrating for both you and your visitors. When users land on a 404 page, they may feel confused or disappointed, often resulting in increased bounce rates.

Moreover, search engines like Google take user experience into account when ranking websites. Frequent 404 errors can harm your site’s SEO, making it harder for potential customers to find you in search results.

Additionally, maintaining a well-structured site with minimal broken links reflects professionalism and reliability. It fosters trust among your visitors, encouraging them to explore your offerings further. For businesses, this trust translates into higher engagement and increased sales.

When NOT to fix 404 errors

While 404 errors are often viewed negatively, it’s essential to recognize that they are not always a bad thing. In some cases, allowing a page to return a 404 status is the best course of action.

For example, if content has been removed and there is no suitable substitute, it is perfectly acceptable for that page to return a 404 error. Redirecting users to a different page when the original content is no longer relevant can lead to confusion and frustration.

Additionally, Google does not recommend redirecting a plethora of outdated links back to your homepage. Such practices can dilute the relevance of your homepage and negatively impact your site’s SEO.

Instead, it’s better to allow those links to show a 404 error, signaling to both users and search engines that the content no longer exists. (And design a great 404 page that keeps users engaged.)

Bonus: Create a good 404 page

Having a well-designed 404 page is important as it can turn a frustrating experience into an opportunity. When users encounter a 404 error, a custom page can provide helpful information, guide them back to relevant content, and keep them engaged with your site rather than leaving it.

A good 404 page can enhance user experience and minimize bounce rates.

Here are a few best practices for creating an effective 404 page:

Clear messaging: Use friendly language to inform visitors that the page they’re looking for cannot be found. A lighthearted tone can help reduce frustration.
Navigation options: Include links to popular pages, your homepage, or a search bar to help users find what they’re looking for quickly.
Visual design: Incorporate engaging visuals or graphics that match your website’s branding to keep the page aesthetically pleasing.
Contact information: Provide a way for users to reach out for assistance, such as a contact form or support email, if they need help finding specific content.

Improve reliability for your WordPress site

Enhancing the reliability of your WordPress site is crucial for providing a seamless experience to your visitors. A reliable site not only retains users but also fosters trust, which is essential for conversions and overall user satisfaction.

One easy step you can take to improve reliability is to regularly update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins. Keeping everything up-to-date ensures your site has the latest features and security patches, significantly reducing the risk of errors like 404s.

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