Ways to Fix WordPress 404 Error

WordPress 404 Error is a common problem that can occur when accessing your content on your site. This can negatively affect user experience and cause your SEO performance to drop. In this article, we will examine the causes of the error, detection methods and solutions step by step within the scope of the focus keywords “WordPress 404 Error”, “Permalink Problems” and “404 Error Solution”. In particular, we will explain with examples how the 404 error causes possible disruptions on your site and how to fix it with applicable methods.

404 errors can cause loss of visitors, especially on sites with high traffic. Early detection of errors and steps to be taken to produce effective solutions require technical knowledge and the use of the right tools. For this reason, both technical details and practical applications are included in our article.

Why Do I Get WordPress 404 Error?

There are a few main reasons why 404 errors may appear on WordPress sites. These errors can be caused by users trying to access incorrect or incomplete URLs, site structure updates, or server configuration glitches.

• Plugin or Theme Conflicts: Incompatibility of installed plugins or themes can affect the URL structure, causing Permalink Issues.
• Custom Code Errors: Errors, typos, or incompatibilities in custom codes added to your site will lead to a 404 error.
• .htaccess File Problems: Corrupt or missing configurations in your .htaccess file can break URL redirect rules, causing content to not be found.

Additionally, updates made to site administration or changes made on the server side may also lead to such errors.

Methods to Detect 404 Errors

You can use tools like Google Search Console to determine the prevalence of the error. Google Search Console provides detailed reports of 404 errors encountered after scanning your site. With these reports, you can determine which links are experiencing problems and start the intervention process. For example, Google Search Console Monitoring your site via will speed up the process of resolving errors.

With this tool, you can prevent errors and protect your user experience by regularly checking your site.

Method 1: Check for Plugin, Theme Conflicts and Code Errors

In many cases, WordPress 404 Error is caused by conflicts between active plugins or themes. Especially updates to recently added plugins or themes can create incompatibility. As a first step, determine which component is causing the problem by temporarily disabling all plugins and then re-enabling them one by one.

There’s also a chance that the theme your site is using is causing the issue. To isolate and test the issue, you can try running a default WordPress theme (such as Twenty Twenty-Three or Twenty Twenty-Four) to see if the error persists. This can be very effective in getting to the root of the problem.

When problems caused by a plugin or theme are detected, making sure to use the current version of the relevant plugin or researching alternative solutions can be effective in resolving the 404 error.

Method 2: Edit Permalink Settings

Most 404 errors are caused by WordPress's permalink settings, which determine the URL rewriting rules. In your admin panel Settings » Permalinks section and clicking the “Save Changes” button will update the URL redirect rules. This simple action can often fix the error instantly.

The biggest advantage of this method is that it can be applied without the need for technical knowledge. However, in some cases, additional steps may be required to resolve the issue due to configurations that conflict with hosting settings.

Method 3: Update .htaccess File

If renewing the permalink settings doesn’t fix the problem, then your .htaccess file may be corrupted. This is a core file that controls WordPress’s URL configuration. You should definitely back up your file before making any changes.

You can edit the .htaccess file by finding it in your FTP or hosting control panel and temporarily changing the file permissions to 666. Once the editing is complete, don’t forget to set the permissions back to 660. The following code contains the basic rewriting rules you need to add to the file:

# BEGIN WordPress RewriteEngine On RewriteBase / RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L] RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d RewriteRule . /index.php [L] # END WordPress

It is important to be careful as incorrect editing of the file can cause bigger problems on your site.

Method 4: Contact Your Hosting Provider

If the above methods do not solve the problem, it may be due to problems with the server configuration or security settings on your site with your hosting provider. Our expert support team can detect the problems on your server and perform the necessary interventions.

Especially on shared servers, since multiple users experience similar problems, providers can offer general solutions. At this stage, it would be useful to request support by providing detailed information. Also, for more information and support, WordPress Support You can visit the page.

Method 5: Enabling mod_rewrite Feature on Local Servers

When testing in your development environment (MAMP, WAMP, XAMPP), having the mod_rewrite module enabled is vital for the URL structure to work properly. A small change in your Apache configuration file will eliminate 404 errors on your local server.

In this method, especially httpd.conf by editing the file, #LoadModule rewrite_module modules/mod_rewrite.so uncheck '#' in the line and AllowOverride None expressions AllowOverride All You need to change it to . These changes will ensure that a clean URL is created in your local test environment.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Methods

Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Below you can find the pros and cons of the methods you can apply:

• Method 1 (Plugin, Theme and Code Errors):Advantage: The source of the problem can be clearly identified, allowing quick control.

  Disadvantage: Checking all plugins one by one can take time.

• Method 2 (Permalink Settings):Advantage: Quickly applied without requiring technical knowledge.

  Disadvantage: May not provide a solution if hosting or configuration issues persist.

• Method 3 (Editing .htaccess File):Advantage: It can provide a permanent and effective solution.

  Disadvantage: Wrong editing can cause bigger problems on your site.

• Method 4 (Hosting Support):Advantage: By getting professional support, you can get to the root cause of the problem.

  Disadvantage: The support process can take time and the resolution time can be extended.

• Method 5 (mod_rewrite on Local Server):Advantage: Adjustments to the development and test environment prevent errors before going live.

  Disadvantage: Making changes to Apache configuration files can be tedious if you are not careful.

Conclusion

WordPress 404 Error can be easily resolved when the right methods are applied. First of all, checking for plugin and theme conflicts; then renewing the permalink settings and updating your .htaccess file are among the most common methods. Checking whether mod_rewrite is enabled in the local development environment helps to fix errors before they are reflected on the live site.

While each method has its own advantages, in most cases, applying more than one method together will provide a more permanent solution. If your problem persists, do not forget to contact your hosting provider and get professional support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Question 1: What is WordPress 404 Error?

Answer: WordPress 404 Error is an error message that indicates that the page users are trying to reach cannot be found on the server. This is usually caused by permalink issues or missing redirect settings.

Question 2: How to fix Permalink Issues?

Answer: In the admin panel Settings » Permalinks You can refresh your permalink settings by going to the "Save Changes" section and clicking the "Save Changes" button. This will update the URL redirect rules and eliminate the error.

Question 3: How to enable mod_rewrite feature on local server?

Answer: On local servers like XAMPP, WAMP or MAMP httpd.conf by opening the file #LoadModule rewrite_module modules/mod_rewrite.so uncheck '#' in the line and AllowOverride None expressions AllowOverride All You need to change it to .

In summary, thanks to the methods mentioned above, you can deal with WordPress 404 Error and Permalink Issues and improve the accessibility and user experience of your site.