What Causes a 404 Error in WordPress?
When WordPress cannot find the requested page on the server, it returns a 404 error. This often occurs after changes in permalinks, deletion of pages, migration of the website, or after installing a faulty plugin or theme. Although the page may be in your database, WordPress cannot map it properly.
404 errors should be resolved immediately because they can reduce user trust, increase the bounce rate, and negatively impact your ranking on SEO.
How to Fix 404 Errors in WordPress
1. Reset Your Permalink Settings
Now, simply click Save Changes without any changes by navigating to your WordPress Dashboard -> Settings -> Permalinks. This will automatically correct the vast number of 404 errors created in the URL by rebuilding the rewrite rules.
2. Check and Fix the .htaccess File
Corruption of the .htaccess file can happen sometimes.
Find the .htaccess file in your root directory. Access your site through FTP or your hosting file manager. It should contain the default WordPress rewrite rules. If this file is missing, create a new file, insert the standard code, save the file, and refresh your site.
3. Deactivate Plugins to Find Conflicts
Plugins, particularly caching, redirection, or security plugins, may trigger the issue of 404
Switch off all the plugins temporarily and check your site. If the problem is resolved, turn back on your plugins one at a time to single out which one is the problem. Correct the defective plugin.
4. Switch to a Default Theme
If the plugins aren’t the problem, it’s likely that your theme is the issue.
temporarily switch to a default theme such as Twenty Twenty-Four. If the 404 error resolves, your theme has become dated or written poorly.
5. Set Up 301 Redirects for Deleted Pages
In the case where pages were removed or links changed, links may still be accessed by Users and search engines.
You should utilize redirects like those offered by Redirection or by tools likeYoast SEO Premium/Rank Math to redirect your broken links to functional pages on your site via 301.
6. Re-upload WordPress Core Files
If nothing else works, it’s possible your WordPress core files are corrupted.
Download WordPress fresh again and upload the wp-admin and wp-includes folders over your current version. This won’t make any changes to your live content but can often sort out deeper technical problems.
