Fixing The 404 Error In Your WordPress Site

404 errors are like the ghost towns of your website, leaving your users stranded and frustrated. 

WordPress errors are frustrating but they are doubly troublesome when your customers are impacted. Imagine you’ve set up a WordPress site that sells medicines. But suddenly, visitors are greeted with the dreaded “404 Not Found” error. What happened? What changed? Why is this happening?

If it’s of any consolation. this is a common issue that website owners face. As a seasoned WordPress expert, I’m here to guide you through understanding and resolving these pesky 404 errors swiftly and effectively.

TL;DR: Reset permalinks in WordPress by navigating to Settings > Permalinks and clicking Save Changes to fix 404 errors.

What is the WordPress 404 error?

A 404 error is like going to a favorite store only to find it’s closed or no longer there. This error means “Not Found” on a web page, signifying that the requested content is missing or has been removed. Just as a fruitless store visit can be frustrating for shoppers, encountering a 404 error can disrupt a visitor’s experience on your site. If left unresolved, these errors can tarnish your site’s credibility, making it crucial to address them promptly.

It’s triggered by:

• Page moved without link update
• Changed permalinks break existing links
• Mistyped URLs lead to errors
• Unpublished pages cause 404s
• Server issues trigger 404s
• Unpublished drafts or scheduled posts

How to fix the WordPress 404 error?

Now that we know what causes the WordPress 404 error, it’s time to explore how to fix it. Fortunately, resolving these errors doesn’t have to be complex. Just like fixing a broken signpost that leads nowhere, you can restore your website pathways, helping visitors find the content they seek. In the next section, we’ll guide you through straightforward steps to identify, troubleshoot, and fix these pesky 404 errors. Let’s ensure your site is as user-friendly and accessible as possible.

1.Reset permalinks

Resetting permalinks is a straightforward method to fix 404 errors on your WordPress site. Permalinks are the web address links to your site’s content. Sometimes, your links may not work due to changes in settings or other issues. By simply resetting the permalinks, you can refresh the link structure and correct broken paths. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Click Save Changes without altering any settings.

This often restores the correct functioning of your site links.

2. Check for broken links 

Broken links often lead to 404 errors, which occur when a link points to a page that no longer exists. RankMath is a useful SEO plugin that can help you detect and fix these troublesome links. Keeping your site free of broken links is key for maintaining a user-friendly and seamless browsing experience. Here’s how you can use RankMath:

1. Install and activate RankMath on your WordPress site.
2. Use the 404 Monitor feature within RankMath to identify broken links.

3. Review the detected 404 errors and update or remove inaccessible links.
4. Regularly checking for and fixing broken links will keep your site functional and engaging for your visitors.

3. Restore deleted pages

Sometimes, pages get deleted by mistake and cause 404 errors. If you’ve removed a page unintentionally, it may still be in the Trash. Restoring deleted pages can fix the error and bring back the missing content. Here’s how to check for and restore deleted pages:

1. Go to your WordPress Dashboard.
2. Click on Posts or Pages.
3. Select Trash to view recently deleted items.

4. Restore the desired items to recover your content.

4. Custom 404 page

Despite your best efforts, users may sometimes encounter a 404 error. Designing a custom 404 page can guide them helpfully back on track. This is often used when putting your site in maintenance mode. 

It can include a friendly message, links to popular content, and a search bar. Doing so reduces visitor frustration and helps them find what they’re looking for. 

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Let users know the page they’re looking for isn’t available. 
• Keep the layout clean and easy to understand.Helpful Links: Include links to popular pages, your homepage, or recommended content. This guides users back to useful areas of your site instead of leaving them at a dead end.
• Add a search bar so users can easily look for the content they were hoping to find.
• Incorporate elements like your logo and site colors to maintain consistency with the rest of your site’s design.
• Consider adding a call to action (CTA), such as suggesting users check out new blog posts or sign up for a newsletter. This can turn a potential exit into an interaction.

How to prevent the 404 error?

Preventing 404 errors on your WordPress site is key to maintaining an optimal user experience and preserving your site’s credibility. By being proactive, you can minimize these errors and ensure visitors always find what they’re looking for. In this section, we’ll explore effective strategies to prevent 404 errors before they happen. Whether it’s regularly updating links or using reliable plugins, these methods will help you keep your site seamless and accessible. Let’s dive into the steps you can take to safeguard your site against these frustrating dead ends.

• Regularly update WordPress: Ensure that your WordPress core, themes, and plugins are always up-to-date. This can prevent errors and enhance site performance. To update safely, build a staging site and test everything first. 

Expert advice: Use tools like UpdateLens to review an update before you make it. 

• Use redirects: Implement 301 redirects for pages that have been moved or renamed. This ensures that users are automatically guided to the correct page.
• Monitor links: Set up an SEO plugin like RankMath to routinely check your site for broken links. This way, you can fix or update links before they lead to a 404 error.
• Site backups: Regularly back up your site using tools like BlogVault. This allows you to restore lost or deleted content quickly if errors occur.

Final thoughts

404 errors are a common issue on many websites, but with the right strategies, you can tackle them efficiently. Recovering deleted pages can often be done with a reliable backup plugin like BlogVault. This tool not only makes recovery easy but also protects your valuable content. Remember, it’s crucial to take a full backup of your site before making major changes, such as a migration. This ensures that you have a safety net to restore your site if anything goes awry. 

FAQs

How to fix error 404 in WordPress?

You can fix a 404 error in WordPress by resetting permalinks, checking for broken links with tools like RankMath, and restoring any deleted pages from the Trash. Creating a custom 404 page also helps guide users back to your content.

Best tools for monitoring broken links?

RankMath and plugins like Broken Link Checker are excellent tools for monitoring and identifying broken links on your WordPress site. They help you keep your links updated and functional.

Why do broken links occur?

Broken links happen when pages are deleted, moved without proper redirects, or if there are typos in the URLs. Outdated or incorrect links can also contribute to this issue.

How do I fix a 404 error on my website?

To fix a 404 error, regularly update your site’s link structure, implement 301 redirects for moved content, and use monitoring tools to catch broken links. Additionally, ensure all core updates are applied to WordPress, themes, and plugins.

Does the 404 error affect SEO?

Yes, frequent 404 errors can hurt your SEO. They can lower user satisfaction, increase bounce rates, and reduce your site’s search engine ranking. Fixing these errors promptly is important for maintaining a strong SEO presence.