Have you ever clicked a link on a website only to see a message like:
- “404 Not Found”
- “Page Not Found”
- “The requested URL was not found on this server”
If yes, then you’ve already experienced a 404 error.
404 errors are one of the most common website problems on the internet. They can frustrate visitors, hurt your SEO rankings, and make your website look unprofessional if not fixed quickly.
The good news is that most 404 errors are easy to fix, even if you are a beginner.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What a 404 error means
- Why it happens
- How to find broken pages
- How to fix 404 errors step by step
- How to prevent them in the future
What Is a 404 Error?
A 404 error is an HTTP status code that means the webpage a visitor is trying to access cannot be found on the server.
In simple words, the browser successfully connected to the website, but the specific page does not exist anymore or cannot be located.
For example:
example.com/my-old-page
If that page was deleted, moved, or renamed, visitors may see a 404 error instead.
What Causes 404 Errors?
There are many reasons why 404 errors happen. Here are the most common ones.
1. Deleted Pages
Sometimes website owners delete old blog posts, products, or pages without creating redirects.
Example:
- You delete an old article
- Google still has it indexed
- Visitors click it
- They see a 404 error
2. Changed URLs
Changing page URLs without redirects is another major cause.
Example:
Old URL:
example.com/best-phone
New URL:
example.com/best-smartphone
Anyone visiting the old URL will get a 404 error unless you add a redirect.
3. Typing Mistakes in URLs
Sometimes users type the wrong URL manually.
Example:
example.com/contcat
Instead of:
example.com/contact
Even one missing letter can trigger a 404 page.
4. Broken Internal Links
Internal links are links between pages on your own website.
If you link to a page that no longer exists, visitors will hit a 404 error.
5. Broken External Links
Other websites may link to pages you removed or changed.
This is dangerous because:
- Visitors get frustrated
- You lose traffic
- SEO can suffer
6. WordPress Permalink Problems
In WordPress, permalink settings can sometimes break after:
- Plugin installation
- Website migration
- Theme changes
- Server updates
This can suddenly cause many 404 errors.
7. Broken .htaccess File
For Apache servers, the .htaccess file controls rewrite rules and redirects.
If it becomes corrupted or misconfigured, your pages may start showing 404 errors.
Why 404 Errors Are Bad for Your Website
Some website owners ignore 404 errors, but that can create serious problems.
Poor User Experience
Nobody likes clicking a page and seeing an error message.
Visitors may leave immediately and never return.
Higher Bounce Rate
A bounce happens when someone leaves your site quickly without interacting.
Too many 404 pages can increase bounce rates.
SEO Problems
Search engines like Google want users to have a good experience.
If Google finds too many broken pages:
- Rankings may drop
- Crawl efficiency may reduce
- Link authority may be lost
Lost Traffic and Sales
Imagine an online store where product pages return 404 errors.
Potential customers may leave and buy from competitors instead.
How to Find 404 Errors on Your Website
Before fixing 404 errors, you first need to discover them.
Here are the best methods.
1. Use Google Search Console
Google Search Console is one of the best free SEO tools.
It helps you detect:
- Broken pages
- Crawl errors
- Indexing issues
How to Check
- Open Google Search Console
- Select your website
- Go to:
Pages → Not Indexed - Look for:
Not Found (404)
You’ll see all URLs returning 404 errors.
2. Use Website Crawlers
SEO tools can scan your website automatically.
Popular tools include:
- Screaming Frog
- Ahrefs
- Semrush
- Dead Link Checker
These tools can detect:
- Broken links
- Missing pages
- Redirect issues
3. Check WordPress Plugins
If you use WordPress, some plugins track 404 errors automatically.
Popular examples:
- Redirection
- Rank Math
- Yoast SEO Premium
These plugins can show:
- Which pages return 404
- How many visitors hit them
- Which URLs are broken
4. Monitor Server Logs
Advanced users can check server logs to see:
- Missing pages
- Broken requests
- Error frequency
Hosting companies usually provide access to logs in cPanel or hosting dashboards.
How to Fix 404 Errors
Now let’s fix them step by step.
Method 1: Set Up 301 Redirects
This is the most important fix.
A 301 redirect automatically sends visitors from the old page to the new one.
Example:
Old page:
example.com/old-page
Redirects to:
example.com/new-page
Visitors never see the 404 error.
Why 301 Redirects Matter
301 redirects:
- Preserve SEO rankings
- Transfer link authority
- Improve user experience
- Prevent traffic loss
How to Add Redirects in WordPress
Option 1: Use the Redirection Plugin
- Install the Redirection plugin
- Open:
Tools → Redirection - Add:
- Old URL
- New URL
- Save changes
Easy and beginner-friendly.
Option 2: Edit .htaccess
You can manually add redirects.
Example:
Redirect 301 /old-page https://example.com/new-page
Always back up your .htaccess file before editing it.
Method 2: Restore Deleted Pages
If an important page was deleted accidentally:
- Restore it from backup
- Re-publish the content
- Keep the original URL
This is useful for pages with:
- Strong SEO rankings
- Valuable backlinks
- High traffic
Method 3: Fix Broken Internal Links
Search your website for links pointing to missing pages.
Update them with:
- Correct URLs
- New page locations
- Active content
This improves navigation and SEO.
Method 4: Fix WordPress Permalink Issues
This solves many WordPress 404 problems instantly.
Steps
- Login to WordPress
- Go to:
Settings → Permalinks - Click:
Save Changes
Even without changing anything.
This refreshes rewrite rules automatically.
Method 5: Repair the .htaccess File
If your WordPress pages suddenly return 404 errors, your .htaccess file may be broken.
The default WordPress structure usually looks like this:
# BEGIN WordPress
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
# END WordPress
If the file is missing or corrupted:
- Rename the old
.htaccess - Create a fresh one
- Save permalinks again in WordPress
Where to Find It
- Login to your hosting
- Open File Manager
- Go to public_html
- Find
.htaccess
Enable hidden files if you don’t see it.
Method 6: Disable Plugins Temporarily
Sometimes plugins cause conflicts.
To test:
- Disable all plugins
- Check if the 404 errors disappear
- Re-enable plugins one by one
This helps identify the problematic plugin.
Method 7: Check Your Theme
Some poorly coded themes break routing and permalinks.
Switch temporarily to a default WordPress theme like:
- Twenty Twenty-Five
- Twenty Twenty-Four
Then test your pages again.
How to Create a Good Custom 404 Page
A custom 404 page can reduce frustration and keep visitors on your website.
A good 404 page should include:
Search Box
Helps users find the correct content quickly.
Homepage Link
Give users a fast way back to the homepage.
Navigation Menu
Allow visitors to continue browsing.
Suggested Content
Show:
- Popular posts
- Related articles
- Featured products
Friendly Design
Avoid scary or confusing messages.
Simple example:
Oops! The page you’re looking for doesn’t exist.
Try searching or return to the homepage.
How to Prevent 404 Errors in the Future
Fixing errors is important, but prevention is even better.
Keep URL Structures Stable
Avoid changing URLs unnecessarily.
Consistent URLs help:
- SEO
- Backlinks
- User trust
Always Use Redirects
Whenever you:
- Rename pages
- Delete posts
- Change product URLs
Create redirects immediately.
Regularly Scan Your Website
Use crawler tools monthly to find:
- Broken links
- Missing images
- Redirect loops
Monitor Google Search Console
Check for:
- Crawl errors
- Indexing issues
- Broken pages
This helps catch problems early.
Update Internal Links
Whenever you move content, update all internal links pointing to it.
Final Thoughts
404 errors are common, but they should never be ignored.
A few broken pages may not destroy your website, but large numbers of 404 errors can:
- Hurt SEO
- Frustrate visitors
- Reduce trust
- Lower conversions and revenue
The good thing is that most 404 errors can be fixed easily after you identify what is causing them.
For beginners, the best starting points are:
- Check Google Search Console
- Add 301 redirects
- Refresh WordPress permalinks
- Fix broken links
- Create a helpful custom 404 page
If you regularly monitor your website and fix errors quickly, your site will stay healthier, more professional, and more search-engine friendly.
