Monday, August 11, 2025

Fixing 404 Errors on WordPress Pages and Posts: Step-by-Step Guide

 


 










What is a 404 Error in WordPress?

A 404 error means the requested page or post could not be found on the server. This usually happens due to:

  • Broken permalinks

  • Deleted or moved content

  • Incorrect .htaccess configuration

 Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

🔹 Step 1: Confirm the Problem

  1. Try accessing the URL of the affected page or post.

  2. If it shows a 404 Page Not Found, confirm it's not a typo.

 Note: If only some pages/posts show 404 errors but the homepage works, it's likely a permalink issue.

Step 2: Reset Permalinks in WordPress Dashboard

  1. Log in to your WordPress Admin Panel.

  2. Go to Settings > Permalinks.

  3. Without changing anything, click Save Changes.

This forces WordPress to regenerate the .htaccess file and fix URL structure.

Step 3: Manually Update .htaccess File (if needed)

If the issue persists:

  1. Access your site via FTP or File Manager.

  2. Locate the .htaccess file in the root directory (public_html).

  3. Replace the content with the default WordPress rules:

    plaintext

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

  4. Save the file and refresh your site.

  5.   Be sure to back up the file before editing.

🔹 Step 4: Check for Deleted or Moved Pages

  1. Go to Pages > All Pages or Posts > All Posts.

  2. Ensure the missing content hasn’t been moved to Trash or Draft.

If the page/post was deleted:

  • Restore it or recreate it with the correct slug/URL.

🔹 Step 5: Disable Conflicting Plugins

Sometimes SEO or security plugins can interfere with URL rewrites.

  1. Temporarily disable plugins like:

    • Wordfence

    • Yoast SEO

    • Redirection plugins

  2. Test the broken link again.

If resolved, re-enable plugins one to find the culprit.

 Conclusion

A 404 error doesn't always mean the page is gone — most of the time it's a quick fix like resetting permalinks or correcting URLs.

Pro Tips:

  • Always back up your .htaccess file.

  • Use redirection plugins for permanently moved pages.

  • Regularly check for broken links using tools like Google Search Console.