When you delete pages from your website without telling it where to find the new ones, or if you change the web addresses (URLs) of your pages, you might see a “404 error” on your WordPress site. It’s like when you’re looking for a book in a library, but it’s been moved or taken off the shelves without a note telling you where to find it. Keeping your website tidy and organized helps avoid these kinds of errors.
What Is a 404 Error In A Website?
Think of a 404 error like getting lost on the internet. It’s when you try to visit a webpage, but the server can’t find it. It’s like going to a store and asking for a specific item, but the store doesn’t have it in stock. So, instead of showing you the page you wanted, the website shows you a message saying “404 Error – Page Not Found.” It’s kind of like hitting a dead end on the web highway.
How To Fix 404 Error In WordPress?
Fixing a 404 error in WordPress is like giving your website a roadmap so it doesn’t get lost anymore. Here’s how you can do it:
- Check Your Permalinks: Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Settings > Permalinks. Make sure your permalink structure is set up correctly. Sometimes just saving your permalink settings again can fix the issue.
- Find Broken Links: Use a plugin like “Broken Link Checker” to find any broken links on your site. These are links that point to pages that don’t exist anymore.
- Update Your .htaccess File: Sometimes the .htaccess file in your WordPress root directory might be causing the issue. You can try regenerating it by going to Settings > Permalinks and clicking “Save Changes.”
- Redirect Old URLs: If you’ve changed the URLs of your pages, set up redirects from the old URLs to the new ones. You can do this using a plugin like “Redirection.”
- Check for Plugin or Theme Issues: Sometimes a plugin or theme might be causing the 404 errors. Try deactivating all your plugins and switching to a default WordPress theme to see if the issue persists.
- Re-upload Core WordPress Files: If none of the above solutions work, you can try re-uploading your WordPress core files. This ensures that any missing or corrupted files are replaced.
- Contact Your Hosting Provider: If you’re still experiencing 404 errors, it might be a server-related issue. Contact your hosting provider for assistance.
404 Not Found To Home Page Redirection
Redirecting a “404 Not Found” error to your homepage is like putting up a signpost that says, “If you’re lost, go back to the beginning.” You can set this up in WordPress by using a plugin or editing your website’s .htaccess file.
The plugin option is easier if you’re not familiar with the code. Just find a plugin that handles redirects, install it, and set up a rule that sends any lost visitors back to your homepage. If you’re comfortable with code, you can edit the .htaccess file directly to create the redirect.