A website is your online home. And just like a real home, if guests walk into broken doors or blocked paths, they won’t stay long. That’s exactly what happens when your visitors face a 404 error on your WordPress website. A 404 error simply means the page the visitor is trying to open does not exist. This may happen for many reasons—but if not fixed, it can damage your website traffic, user experience, and even your Google ranking.
This article will explain everything you need to know to fix and prevent 404 error reports in WordPress. From understanding the causes to using smart tools and setting up custom pages—we’ll cover it all.
What is a 404 Error?
A 404 error appears when someone tries to access a page that is not available on your server. Instead of loading content, the browser shows: “404 Not Found”
This could be due to:
- Deleted pages or posts
- Changed URLs without redirection
- Broken internal or external links
- Incorrect permalink settings
- Faulty plugins or theme conflicts
Whether your website has 10 pages or 1000, broken links and missing content create a frustrating experience for visitors.
Why You Should Care About 404 Errors
Many website owners ignore these errors. But they silently harm your performance in the background. Here’s why 404 errors should never be ignored:
They Chase Away Visitors
A new visitor who lands on a missing page is likely to leave and never return.
They Harm Your SEO
If Google detects too many broken links, it may reduce your search rankings. Google bots avoid websites that seem outdated or broken.
They Waste Valuable Backlinks
If another site links to a deleted or broken page on your site, the value of that link is lost.
They Block Website Navigation
A broken internal link means users cannot continue browsing your content properly.
How to Detect 404 Errors in WordPress
Fixing 404 errors starts by finding them. Luckily, you don’t have to search manually. Use the tools and methods below:
Manually Check Pages
Try visiting popular or older URLs of your website in your browser. If they return a 404, take note.
Use Google Search Console
Google Search Console lists crawl errors and shows which URLs return 404 errors.
Go to Coverage → Excluded → Not Found (404) to review them.
Use Plugins
Install a WordPress plugin like:
- Broken Link Checker – Detects internal and external broken links
- Redirection – Monitors 404 errors and helps you fix them
Use External SEO Tools
Advanced tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Screaming Frog SEO Spider can show all 404 errors on your site and help you track them over time.
Causes of 404 Errors in WordPress
Let’s look at the main reasons you might get 404 error reports on a WordPress site:
Changed or Deleted URLs
If you rename or delete a page without updating links, users will get a 404.
Wrong Permalink Settings
Sometimes, WordPress permalinks get broken after theme updates or migrations.
Broken Internal Links
Old posts with outdated internal links can cause users to hit dead ends.
Typos in URLs
Small spelling mistakes in links (like mywebiste.com/page instead of mywebsite.com/page) cause errors.
Theme or Plugin Conflicts
A plugin or theme may block a page’s access or change URL structures.
How to Fix 404 Errors in WordPress (Step-by-Step)
Now that you know the causes, let’s fix them one by one. Here’s a step-by-step process:
Step 1: Reset Permalinks
- Go to WordPress Dashboard
- Click Settings → Permalinks
- Without changing anything, click Save Changes
This refreshes the permalink structure and often solves 404 errors related to URLs.
Step 2: Check .htaccess File
If permalinks don’t help, your .htaccess file might be corrupted.
- Access your site via FTP or File Manager
- Locate
.htaccessin the root folder - Replace the file content with default WordPress code:
Step 3: Use Redirection Plugin
If the page has been deleted or moved, install the Redirection plugin.
- Go to Plugins → Add New → Redirection
- Install and activate it
- Redirect old URLs to valid new pages using 301 redirects
Step 4: Fix Internal Links
Use the Broken Link Checker plugin to scan all internal and external links.
- Fix incorrect URLs
- Update deleted or renamed links
- Remove links that lead nowhere
Step 5: Create a Helpful Custom 404 Page
Instead of showing a plain 404 message, create a custom 404 page with:
- Friendly message like “Oops! Page not found.”
- Search bar
- Link to homepage
- Links to popular articles
This keeps visitors on your website and improves engagement.
How to Prevent Future 404 Errors
Once fixed, make sure you don’t face the same problem again.
Tips to Avoid Future 404 Errors
- Never delete pages without redirection
- Always set up 301 redirects for changed URLs
- Regularly check your website using SEO tools
- Avoid typos when linking to pages
- Don’t change permalink structures often
- Keep themes and plugins updated
Mobile Users and 404 Errors
Today, most users visit websites on mobile devices. A 404 error on a mobile phone feels even more frustrating due to small screens and slower loading.
Make sure:
- Your mobile navigation works properly
- Custom 404 pages are mobile-friendly
- Redirects work on both mobile and desktop
Advanced Fixes (For Developers)
If basic steps don’t fix your issue, try these advanced solutions:
Use 301 Redirects in .htaccess
Manually add redirect lines:
Check Theme’s 404 Template
Edit 404.php in your theme folder to create a smart 404 page experience.
Reinstall WordPress Core Files
Sometimes a corrupted core file may cause issues. Reinstall from Dashboard → Updates → Reinstall.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these errors while fixing 404 problems:
- Ignoring the error and assuming users will figure it out
- Deleting pages without redirecting them
- Using temporary (302) redirects for permanent changes
- Not checking external links from other websites
- Forgetting to fix navigation menu links after URL changes
Final Thoughts
A small issue like a 404 error can cause a big loss in traffic and trust. But with the right steps, it’s easy to detect, fix, and prevent such issues. Use tools, plugins, and good practices to keep your WordPress site healthy.
If you feel overwhelmed or your errors don’t go away, it’s a good idea to get help from a professional developer. Or you can reach out to a trusted WordPress support company to review and fix the problems for you.
