Today, we will teach you how to resolve the most prevalent permalink problem, which is a 404 WordPress error that appears when a page is accessed. In most situations, the problem is caused by incorrect rewrite rule settings, and all that has to be done is to flush rewrite rules.
This usually happens when a new WordPress website or a third-party plugin that uses custom post types is installed. There is no reason to worry if this is the case. If you have full control over your WordPress installation and its backend, fixing this issue should be a piece of cake. A WordPress administrator may usually remedy this problem by logging into the WordPress dashboard, however this is not always possible.
What are rewrite rules?
So, how exactly do they work? Simply said, when a visitor requests a URL, WordPress use rewrite rules to decide which content should be shown. It does this by extracting the slug from the URL and using it to search for the corresponding content in the database.
For example, if a visitor accesses the URL https://example.com/lorem/ipsum, WordPress will use the rewrite rules to determine that the user is requesting a page, and it will extract the slug "ipsum" from the URL. It will then use this slug to search for the corresponding page in the database, and if it finds a match, it will display the page to the visitor.
How to Fix WordPress 404 Page Not Found Error?
How do you know if your WordPress permalinks are not set up?
If you are reading this, chances are you are seeking for a solution to the error that appears when you try to open any subpages on your WordPress website. The most likely cause of this issue is that the .htaccess file is missing from the root directory of the website.
If the rewrite rules are not functioning properly in a standard server environment, the following error will be shown.
The requested URL was not found on this server. Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.
To ensure that we are discussing the same issue, please review the photos below. This article discusses 404 error messages such as the ones shown in the screenshots below. Of course, this is not the only option available, as server settings may cause the default WordPress 404 error page to look different.
Now, let us get to the point and explain what you should do if you see a "404 not found" error when you attempt to access any page on your website even after you have enabled "pretty permalinks" on it.
As long as you have access to the admin panel and can visit the homepage, resolving the WordPress 404 error should take no more than a few minutes. To resolve this issue it is necessary to create a .htaccess file in the root directory of the website and add the necessary configuration for the website.
Happily, WordPress offers an automated process for this task without the need to manually edit any code in files. To take advantage of this feature, simply follow these three steps.
Go to "Settings -> Permalinks" admin section
Enable pretty permalinks
Save the settings to flush the rewrite rules and generate .htaccess code
Go to "Settings -> Permalinks" admin section
If the 404 error only appears for particular URLs, skip this section of text and proceed to the next step. If none of the URLs for the subpages can be accessed, you will need to activate "pretty permalinks". Simply put, you will need this to force WordPress to produce the .htaccess file and follow the rewrite rules.
In order to ensure that your pages and posts are accessible, it is essential to configure the WordPress permalink settings correctly. To do so, you should navigate to "Settings > Permalinks" within your WordPress dashboard.
It is essential to note that the "Plain" option should be pre-selected when WordPress is installed. In brief, URLs in this mode follow the basic format of
?p=1256
where
1256
represents the post's ID number in MySQL database.
These often look like numbers and strings of text, making them difficult for readers to remember. Pretty permalinks allow you to customize your URL structure so that it is easier for visitors and search engines alike to read and understand what each page contains.
Example of a "plain" default permalink
http://example.com/?p=1256
Example of a "pretty" SEO-friendly permalink
http://example.com/blog/lorem-ipsum-dolor/
Enable pretty permalinks
Enabling pretty permalinks in WordPress is a simple process. On this page you can choose from one of several predefined structures or create a custom structure for your specific needs by using tags such as
%category%
or
%postname%
.
All you need to do is to select any option other than "Plain" (e.g., "Post Name"). Once you are happy with your selection click save changes at the bottom of the screen.
By making this change, the URL will be transformed from its current "raw" format into one that is easier to read. When changing the permalink structure, WordPress will automatically generate an .htaccess file with proper code preventing any 404 errors from occurring when attempting to access content on your website.
How to flush rewrite rules?
It is recommended that you begin by flushing rewrite rules to address the issue before attempting more complex solutions. Flushing the rewrite rules cache may resolve 404 errors caused by plugins or themes updates. It is possible that the issue originated from WordPress utilizing an outdated, cached version of rewrite rules.
To flush the cache, please follow these steps:
- Go to the admin page "Settings -> Permalinks".
- Flush the rewrite rules and clear their cache by clicking "Save changes" even if no change has been made.
If everything went according to plan, the .htaccess file should have been generated and the rewrite rules settings should have been purged. However, if the problem has not been resolved and the 404 error page continues to appear, there is one more thing you may do.
How to manually build or restore the .htaccess file?
In order for WordPress to parse and dynamically handle pretty permalinks, the .htaccess file must be present in the WordPress installation. In a nutshell, .htaccess is the configuration file used to control the Apache server with modules like "mod_rewrite" for permalink rewriting.
In some cases, the .htaccess file cannot be saved in the WordPress root directory because of file permissions (CHMODs). The other possibility is that a malfunctioning plugin removed or altered the .htaccess rules. To fix a corrupted .htaccess file, you will need FTP access to the root directory.
The default configuration file code is shown below. If the .htaccess file is not present, you will need to create it manually. Please copy, paste, and save the file with the default contents provided below.
# BEGIN WordPress
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
# END WordPressFrequently asked questions
How can I redirect users from a 404 error page to a relevant page on my WordPress site?
To redirect visitors from a 404 error page to a relevant page on your WordPress site, you may use a plugin like Redirection. With these add-ons, you may signal search engines and site visitors that you have permanently relocated the content to a new address by applying 301 redirects.
Is there a way to monitor and track 404 errors and receive notifications when they occur?
Indeed, you can track and monitor 404 errors on your WordPress site in a number of ways, and you can also get alerts when they happen. One option is to use a plugin like "404 to 301". These plugins may track all 404 errors on your site and redirect them to a certain page or display a custom error message.
Moreover, some website monitoring services, such as Google Search Console, may notify you of any 404 errors on your site. By staying on top of 404 errors, you can enhance user experience and guarantee that your site is functioning properly.
Can 404 errors impact my website's SEO, and if so, how can I mitigate the damage?
Absolutely, 404 errors can harm your website's SEO by making search engines consider your site as untrustworthy. To reduce the damage, you should periodically scan your site for broken links and outdated content, and redirect visitors to relevant pages or a custom 404 page with helpful information. You may also use tools such as Google Search Console to detect and resolve 404 problems. By fixing these problems as soon as possible, you may retain your site's trustworthiness and boost your SEO.
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