How to Fix a 404 Error in WordPress

Jowanna Daley Search Engine Optimization 0

What Is a 404 Error

A 404 error is an HTTP status code indicates that the server could not find the requested resource.

What Causes a 404 Error

404 errors can occur for various reasons, including broken links, incorrect URLs, or file permissions. Here are some common causes:

The page or post was deleted
The page or post you are trying to was moved
The permalink for the page or post you are trying to access has been changed
The file or folder you are trying to access doesn’t exist

Why 404 Errors Bad for Your Website

404 Errors are bad for search engine optimization (SEO) for a few reasons. One reason is that they can frustrate users trying to find a particular page on your site. If they keep getting 404 errors, they may give up on your site altogether.

Another reason is that 404 errors can cause your site to rank lower in search engine results pages (SERPs). This drop in ranking happens because search engines may see your site as less valuable and reliable if it keeps returning 404 errors.

Finally, 404 errors can also damage your site’s reputation. Search engines may assume that your site is not well-maintained or that you are not taking care of your visitors.

How to Detect 404 Errors on Your WordPress Site

There are several ways to detect 404 errors on your WordPress site. One way is to use a plugin. One way is to use a plugin. You can install plugins such as the Redirection plugin. To help you monitor 404 errors and manage redirects.

Another way to detect 404 errors is to use a tool like Google Webmaster Tools. Use your verified Google account to detect and fix 404 errors on your WordPress site.

Finally, you can also use a server-side 404 detection script. This script will help you detect 404 errors on your server and help you track down the pages that are causing the errors.

3 Ways to Fix 4040 Errors in WordPress

Like there are many ways to detect 404s, the same is true for fixing them. The majority of the detection tools will fix them for you, but it is also good to know where to look for errors.

1. Check your Permalinks

Your permalinks are the structure of the URL for your posts and pages. WordPress creates these automatically, but sometimes they can become corrupted. To check and fix your permalinks, go to Settings > Permalinks.

2. Check your plugins

Faulty plugins can also cause 404 errors. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins and deactivate all of your plugins to check for this. Once all of your plugins are deactivated, go to a 404 page on your website to see if the error goes away.

If it does, you know it’s a plugin causing the problem. You can then activate the plugins one at a time until you identify the corrupted plugin.

3. Check your theme

A faulty theme could also cause 404 errors. Go to Appearance > Themes and activate the default WordPress theme to check for this. If the 404 errors go away when you activate the default WordPress theme, you know your theme is causing the problem.

4. Check your server

If you’ve checked all of the above and you’re still getting 404 errors, then you may have a server-side error.
To check this, go to Settings > General and change your website address to http://localhost. If you can see your website when you type http://localhost into your web browser, then it means that there’s a problem with your server configuration. Check with your web host provider to help you fix this.

Let Us Check For 404 Errors for You

Don’t let 404 errors block you from potential customers finding you. Daley Consulting, LLC, located in McDonough, GA, specializes in building optimized WordPress sites for startups. Contact us on our Facebook page, and we will check your page for free.