Fixing 404 errors on your WordPress website can help improve the user experience and ensure that your visitors can access the content they’re looking for. Here are several steps to troubleshoot and fix WordPress 404 errors:
- Check the Permalink Structure:
- Go to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to “Settings” and click on “Permalinks.”
- Ensure that your permalink structure is set correctly. Common choices include “Post name” or “Day and name.” Sometimes, simply re-saving your permalink structure can resolve 404 issues.
- Update .htaccess File:
- Sometimes, issues with the .htaccess file can lead to 404 errors.
- To fix this, go to your WordPress root directory using FTP or your hosting file manager.
- Rename the existing .htaccess file to something like “.htaccess_old.”
- Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to “Settings,” and click on “Permalinks.” Without making any changes, click the “Save Changes” button. This will generate a new .htaccess file with correct rules.
- Check for Typos and Slugs:
- Verify that the URLs of your posts and pages match the actual slugs and titles.
- Typos in the URL or permalink can lead to 404 errors.
- Review Broken Links:
- Broken internal or external links within your content can trigger 404 errors.
- You can use plugins like “Broken Link Checker” to identify and fix broken links.
- Clear Your Cache:
- If you use a caching plugin, clear your cache. Cached pages may sometimes show 404 errors even if the content exists.
- Recreate or Re-upload the Affected Page/Post:
- If the 404 error persists for a specific page or post, consider recreating or re-uploading the content.
- Copy the content into a new page or post, update the permalink, and see if the issue is resolved.
- Check for Plugin or Theme Conflicts:
- Deactivate plugins one by one to see if any of them are causing the 404 errors. Sometimes, plugin conflicts can lead to this issue.
- If deactivating plugins doesn’t help, try switching to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-One) temporarily to see if the theme is causing the problem.
- Check for Server Issues:
- Occasionally, server-related issues can lead to 404 errors.
- Contact your hosting provider’s support team to inquire if there are server-side problems causing the errors.
- Set Up 301 Redirects:
- If a page or post has been permanently removed or its URL structure has changed, create 301 redirects using a plugin like “Redirection.”
- This will ensure that users are redirected to the correct page instead of seeing a 404 error.
- Consider Using a Dedicated 404 Page:
- Create a custom 404 error page that provides a user-friendly message and navigation options for lost visitors. You can set this up in your theme’s settings or by using a plugin.
Remember to test your site thoroughly after each step to ensure that the 404 errors have been resolved. Fixing these errors promptly can improve your website’s SEO and enhance the user experience for your visitors.