How to Fix the 404 Page Not Found Error in WordPress

The 404 Page Not Found error in WordPress is one of the most common and frustrating issues faced by website owners and bloggers. This error typically occurs when your website is unable to locate the requested page, post, or resource. Visitors encountering this error may leave your site immediately, impacting both user experience and your site’s SEO performance. Common causes include broken permalinks, deleted or moved content, or incorrect server configurations. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the root causes of the 404 error and provide step-by-step solutions to resolve it efficiently. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced WordPress user, this article will help you fix the 404 error quickly and ensure your website runs smoothly.

Read Time: 6 Minutes

Summary:

1. Understand the causes of the 404 error.
2. Update permalink settings.
3. Restore the .htaccess file.
4. Deactivate plugins and themes.
5. Create a custom 404 page for better UX.

1. What Causes the 404 Page Not Found Error?

The 404 Page Not Found error in WordPress usually happens when your website is unable to locate the requested page or resource. This can occur due to several reasons, including:

• Broken Permalinks: When the URL structure of your website is changed or corrupted, WordPress may fail to locate the correct page.
• Deleted or Moved Content: If a post or page is deleted, or its slug (URL) is changed without proper redirection, visitors may encounter a 404 error.
• Corrupted .htaccess File: A damaged or improperly configured .htaccess file can cause permalink issues, leading to this error.
• Server Configuration Issues: In some cases, server misconfigurations can disrupt how URLs are processed.
• Theme or Plugin Conflicts: Certain themes or plugins might override permalink structures, causing pages to become inaccessible.

Understanding these causes is the first step in effectively troubleshooting and fixing the 404 Page Not Found error in WordPress. In the next sections, we’ll guide you through practical solutions to address these issues.

2. Update Permalink Settings

One of the easiest and most effective ways to fix the 404 Page Not Found error in WordPress is by refreshing your permalink settings. Permalinks are the permanent URLs of your website’s pages and posts, and sometimes they can become corrupted due to changes in plugins, themes, or server settings.

When permalinks are broken, your website might fail to direct visitors to the correct page, even though the content still exists in your database. This issue is common after site migrations, WordPress updates, or plugin installations that affect URL structures.

By simply resetting your permalink settings, WordPress regenerates the .htaccess file and updates the internal linking structure, often resolving the error immediately.

Follow these steps to update your permalink settings:

1. Go to your WordPress Dashboard → Settings → Permalinks.
2. Select your preferred permalink structure (e.g., Post name) if not already selected.
3. Click on Save Changes without making any modifications.

This action refreshes your permalink settings and often resolves the 404 error instantly. If the issue persists, move on to the next troubleshooting step.

3. Restore the .htaccess File

If updating permalinks didn’t work, you can manually restore your .htaccess file:

1. Access your site files using FTP or your hosting’s File Manager.
2. Locate the .htaccess file in the root directory.
3. Replace its content with the default WordPress .htaccess code:

# BEGIN WordPress
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
# END WordPress

Save the file and check your site again.

4. Deactivate Plugins and Themes

Sometimes, a plugin or theme conflict can cause a 404 error:

• Deactivate all plugins and check if the error resolves.
• Switch to a default WordPress theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-Three).
• Reactivate plugins one by one to identify the culprit.

You can also read our guide on How to Fix WordPress Login Issues.

5. Create a Custom 404 Page

While fixing the error, you can create a custom 404 page to enhance user experience:

• Use plugins like 404page.
• Customize your 404 template via your theme editor.

Learn more about improving your blog with our guide on How to Write Catchy Headlines for Your Blog.

6. Final Thoughts

Fixing the 404 Page Not Found error in WordPress usually involves resetting permalinks, fixing the .htaccess file, and checking for plugin or theme conflicts. Follow the steps above, and your site should be back to normal in no time.

Explore more helpful guides:

• How to Stay Consistent with Your Blogging Schedule
• How to Write Blog Posts That People Want to Read

Fixing these issues will keep your website user-friendly and SEO-optimized.