How to Resolve the “404 Page Not Found” Error in WordPress

Posted on by Tony

Encountering a “404 Page Not Found” error on your WordPress site can be frustrating, both for you and your visitors. This error typically indicates that the server cannot find the requested page, but the good news is that it’s often easy to fix. In this guide, we’ll break down the common causes and provide step-by-step solutions to get your site back on track.

Understanding the “404 Page Not Found” Error

A 404 error appears when a page or resource on your WordPress site is inaccessible. This can happen for several reasons:

  • The URL structure or permalinks have changed
  • The .htaccess file is missing or corrupted
  • The page or post has been deleted or moved
  • Plugin or theme conflicts
  • Server or hosting configuration issues

Identifying the cause is the first step toward resolving the problem efficiently.

Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix the 404 Error

Many 404 issues stem from incorrect permalink settings. Luckily, this is easy to fix:

  1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
  2. Go to Settings > Permalinks.
  3. Click Save Changes without modifying anything to refresh the settings.
  4. Clear your browser cache and test the URLs again.

This process regenerates your .htaccess file and often resolves the issue instantly.

2. Check Your .htaccess File

If refreshing permalinks doesn’t help, your .htaccess file may be missing or corrupted. You can create or edit it manually:

  1. Connect to your site via FTP or your hosting file manager.
  2. Locate the .htaccess file in your WordPress root directory.
  3. Replace its content with the default WordPress rules:

# 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

  1. Save the file and test the affected pages again.

3. Restore or Recreate the Missing Page

If the error is limited to one page or post, check if it was accidentally deleted or its URL changed. To fix this:

  • Search your Pages or Posts in the dashboard.
  • Update the URL slug if needed.
  • Create a redirect if the URL has changed using a plugin like Redirection.

4. Disable Plugins and Themes

Sometimes, a plugin or theme conflict can trigger a 404 error. To test:

  1. Temporarily disable all plugins and check if the issue is resolved.
  2. If it is, reactivate them one by one to find the culprit.
  3. Switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four to rule out theme-related issues.

5. Check Server and Hosting Settings

If none of the above steps work, the issue may be server-related. Contact your hosting provider and:

  • Ask if there are server configuration issues
  • Confirm that mod_rewrite is enabled
  • Check error logs for specific issues

6. Use a 404 Redirect Plugin

For a better user experience, you can redirect 404 pages to a relevant page, such as your homepage or a custom 404 page. Plugins like All 404 Redirect to Homepage or Rank Math make this process simple.

SEO Impact of 404 Errors

Unresolved 404 errors can hurt your SEO performance. Search engines interpret broken links as a sign of poor site maintenance. Regularly monitoring your site using tools like Google Search Console or Ahrefs helps you find and fix 404 errors quickly, preserving your rankings and user experience.

Preventing Future 404 Errors

  • Keep your permalink structure consistent
  • Use a reliable backup plugin to restore content quickly
  • Regularly audit your site for broken links
  • Update plugins and themes to avoid conflicts
  • Set up redirects for deleted or moved pages

Keywords for WordPress Troubleshooting

If you’re running a WordPress-focused blog, integrating keywords like “WordPress 404 error,” “fix 404 page,” “.htaccess error,” and “permalink settings” naturally in your content helps it rank better on search engines while providing value to readers.

The “404 Page Not Found” error is common but rarely complex to fix. By methodically troubleshooting permalinks, .htaccess settings, and plugins, you can restore your WordPress site quickly. Regular maintenance and monitoring can also prevent these errors from recurring, ensuring your visitors enjoy a seamless browsing experience.