The "404 Not Found" error in WordPress usually occurs when a page or post cannot be found. This can be caused by a number of factors, including incorrect permalink settings, missing files, or issues with your server. Let’s go over how to fix it.
What is the 404 Not Found Error?
The "404 Not Found" error means that WordPress is unable to find the page or post you are looking for. This could be due to broken links, incorrect URLs, or problems with your permalinks.
How to Fix the "404 Not Found" Error in WordPress
Method 1: Reset Permalinks
One of the most common causes of the "404 Not Found" error is incorrect permalink settings. To fix this:
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Go to your WordPress dashboard.
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Navigate to Settings > Permalinks.
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Without making any changes, click Save Changes.
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This will refresh your permalink structure and fix any issues with URLs.
Method 2: Check for Missing Content
If you are getting a 404 error on a specific page or post, make sure the content exists.
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Go to Pages or Posts in your WordPress dashboard.
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Make sure the page or post you are trying to access is published and hasn’t been moved or deleted.
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If the page is missing, recreate or restore it from a backup.
Method 3: Check Your .htaccess File
The .htaccess file controls how URLs are handled. If this file is missing or corrupted, it could cause 404 errors.
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Connect to your website using FTP or File Manager.
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Look for the .htaccess file in the root directory.
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If it’s missing, create a new one by going to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and clicking Save Changes.
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If it’s corrupted, delete the old one and create a new one using the same method.
Method 4: Deactivate Plugins and Themes
Sometimes, plugins or themes can conflict with WordPress and cause 404 errors.
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Access your WordPress files using FTP or File Manager.
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Go to the wp-content folder and rename the plugins folder to plugins_old to deactivate all plugins.
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Check if your website loads correctly.
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Rename the folder back to plugins and reactivate plugins one by one to identify the conflicting plugin.
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You can also try switching to a default theme to see if the issue is theme-related.
Method 5: Check Server Settings
In some cases, server settings may be causing 404 errors. Contact your hosting provider to check if there are any server-side issues, such as issues with mod_rewrite or missing rewrite rules.
Conclusion
The "404 Not Found" error in WordPress is usually easy to fix with the right approach. You can try resetting permalinks, checking your content, or fixing your .htaccess file. If all else fails, deactivate plugins and themes, or contact your hosting provider for help.
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This guide should help you resolve the "404 Not Found" error on your WordPress site.