404 errors are one of the most common problems with WordPress sites that make users and search engines mad. If people keep getting 404 Page Not Found errors, it can make the user experience bad, hurt your search results, and cost you money. Don’t worry, though! This guide will show you how to fix WordPress 404 problems correctly.

Table of Contents

In this article, we’ll cover:

Why do WordPress 404 mistakes happen?
What impact they have on SEO and customer experience
Ways to fix them step by step
Steps to take to stop 404 mistakes from happening again
The best tools for WordPress to handle 404 errors

Come on, let’s fix your WordPress 404 errors so your site works great!

Why do WordPress 404 errors happen?

Let’s look at why 404 problems happen on a WordPress site before we fix the problem:

1. Wrong settings for the permalinks

WordPress might not be able to find your pages if your permalinks are not set up correctly. This could cause 404 problems.

2. Pages were erased or moved

People may see a 404 page if you delete or rename a post or page but don’t change the internal links or set up redirects.

3..htaccess file is broken

The.htaccess file manages how URLs are redirected. If it gets damaged, your site might make URLs that don’t work.

4. Problems with the theme or plugin

Updates to themes or plugins can sometimes mess up the URL structure, which can cause links to break.

5. Trouble with cache and CDN

Visitors could still see a saved copy of a page that doesn’t exist, which would cause a 404 error.

6. Problems with the server

WordPress might not be able to get a desired page if there are problems with the hosting or if the file permissions are wrong.

What 404 errors mean for SEO and user experience

If you don’t fix 404 problems, they can:

Bad User Experience: People who come to your site and can’t find what they’re looking for leave.
Problems with SEO: Google sees broken links as a sign of bad website maintenance and lowers your rankings as a result.
Lost Sales: People who are interested in your product or service might leave your site if an important page for it shows a 404 mistake.

How to Fix 404 Errors in WordPress, Step by Step

1. Make your permalinks new.

Most of the time, resetting permalinks can fix 404 problems.
Click on Settings > Permalinks in the WordPress Dashboard.
You can click “Save Changes” without making any changes.
Check to see if the problem is fixed.

2. Look over your.htaccess file and fix any problems you find.

404 failures can happen if your.htaccess file is broken.

You can use FTP or File Manager to get to your website’s files.
In the bottom folder, find the.htaccess file.
Change the name to.htaccess_backup.
Again, go to WordPress Settings > Permalinks and click “Save Changes.” This will make a new.htaccess file.

3. Set up 301 Forward Links

If you’ve moved or removed pages, don’t show a 404 error. Instead, send people to a new page.

Get the Redirection app and turn it on.
Fill out the form below to add a new redirect:
Source URL: The old URL that gives 404 problems
New URL (where you want people to go) is the target URL.
Click on Add Link.

4. Turn off plugins and themes for now

The problem could be an app or theme. To check:

Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins and turn off all of the plugins.
Check to see if the 404 problems have been fixed.
To find the source, turn on plugins one by one again if that’s the case.
For those who are still having trouble, try using a basic WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four.

5. Delete Cache and CDN

Clear the cache if you use apps that cache, like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache.
Clear out your CDN’s cached files from the website if you use one, like Cloudflare.

6. Fix File Permissions That Are Wrong

Pages might not be accessible if the file rights are set wrong.

Check the rights of your files with FTP.
Set files to 644 and folders to 755.

7. Look for 404 errors in Google Search Console

Google Search Console can help you find links that don’t work.

Check for problems that say “Not Found (404)”.
Use 301 redirects or new links to fix them.

The best WordPress plugins for handling 404 errors

Plugins can help simplify the handling of 404 errors.

Redirect: This is the best way to set up 301 redirects.
Dead Link Checker: Finds dead links and lets you know about them.
404 to 301: Sends 404 errors instantly to the right pages.
Rank Math SEO: It has a 404 monitor built in.

How to Keep 404 Errors from Happening Again

When you move or delete pages, make sure that internal links are always up to date.
Google Search Console can help you keep an eye on your website and find problems early.
With a 404 error page tool, you can make your own error pages that keep people interested.
When you delete content, make sure you use the right redirection technique.

In conclusion

There are times when 404 errors can hurt your website’s SEO results, user experience, and traffic. You can fix WordPress 404 problems and keep them from happening again by following the step-by-step instructions above. For the best results, use the right WordPress tools, keep an eye on Google Search Console, and keep your site up to date.

Today, fix your WordPress 404 errors and start getting back the people you lost!