How to Fix the WordPress 404 Error on Posts and Pages

A 404 error in WordPress is one of the most common and frustrating issues you can encounter. When visitors try to access a post or page on your site and they see the dreaded “404 Not Found” message, it can significantly affect the user experience. Fortunately, fixing this issue is usually straightforward. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to fix the WordPress 404 error on posts and pages so that your visitors can enjoy uninterrupted browsing.

What is a 404 Error?

A 404 error occurs when a user tries to access a page or post that doesn’t exist or has been moved. In WordPress, this error is typically shown when the website’s URL structure (permalinks) becomes misconfigured or a page/post is deleted or moved without updating the link. A 404 error indicates that the server cannot find the requested content, leading to a broken user experience.

Common Causes of the WordPress 404 Error

1. Incorrect Permalink Structure The most common cause of a 404 error is a misconfigured permalink structure. This typically happens after changes to the permalink settings or when you switch themes or plugins.
2. Deleted or Moved Content If content has been deleted or moved without properly redirecting the old URL, users will encounter a 404 error when they try to visit the old link.
3. Plugin or Theme Conflict Certain plugins or themes may conflict with the way WordPress handles URLs, leading to 404 errors.
4. Corrupted .htaccess File The .htaccess file is responsible for managing URL redirects and permalink structure. A corrupted .htaccess file can lead to broken links and 404 errors.

How to Fix the WordPress 404 Error on Posts and Pages

Here are the steps you can take to resolve the 404 error in WordPress:

1. Check Your Permalink SettingsThe first thing to do when encountering a 404 error is to check your permalink settings. WordPress has a built-in option to reset permalinks, which can resolve many 404 issues:
   • Go to your WordPress Dashboard.
   • Navigate to Settings > Permalinks.
   • Without making any changes, click the Save Changes button.

   This will flush the rewrite rules and refresh your site’s permalink structure. After saving the changes, visit the page or post again to check if the error is resolved.

2. Clear CachesCached versions of your pages may cause outdated URLs to persist, resulting in 404 errors. To clear caches:
   • If you’re using a caching plugin (like WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache), clear the cache through the plugin’s settings.
   • If your host has server-side caching (for example, with Kinsta), clear it via your hosting control panel.

   After clearing the cache, refresh your site and try to access the page again.

3. Fix or Regenerate the .htaccess FileIf the 404 error persists, it could be caused by a corrupted .htaccess file. To regenerate this file:
   • Access your website’s root directory using FTP or File Manager.
   • Locate the .htaccess file and rename it to .htaccess_old.
   • Go to Settings > Permalinks in the WordPress dashboard and click Save Changes.

   This will generate a new, fresh .htaccess file. Test the page to see if the error is resolved.

4. Check for Plugin or Theme ConflictsSometimes, plugins or themes may conflict with your site’s URL structure, causing 404 errors. To test for conflicts:
   • Deactivate all your plugins and check if the 404 error goes away.
   • If the error is resolved, reactivate each plugin one by one to identify the culprit.
   • If the issue is related to your theme, try switching to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-One) and see if the error persists.

   Tip: Managed WordPress hosting like Pressable or Kinsta offers streamlined support for troubleshooting these issues quickly.

5. Redirect Old URLsIf you’ve moved or deleted content, the old URLs might be generating 404 errors. To fix this, set up proper redirects:
   • Use a plugin like Redirection or Yoast SEO to set up 301 redirects from the old URL to the new one.
   • Alternatively, manually add the redirect rules to your .htaccess file.

   This will ensure that visitors are redirected to the correct content instead of encountering a 404 error.

6. Check the Server ConfigurationIf you’ve tried all the steps above and are still seeing 404 errors, the issue may lie with your server configuration. Contact your hosting provider to check for issues related to the server’s rewrite rules, URL handling, or any other server-side settings.

   Premium managed WordPress hosts like Kinsta and Pressable provide support for resolving these types of server issues.

How to Prevent WordPress 404 Errors

1. Regularly Update Permalinks
   Ensure your permalinks are always configured correctly. Changing your permalink structure can lead to broken links, so it’s important to avoid changing it after your site is live.
2. Use a Redirect Plugin
   Always set up redirects for any deleted or moved pages to ensure users are properly redirected to the new content.
3. Monitor for Broken Links
   Use tools like Broken Link Checker or Google Search Console to regularly check for broken links on your site. This way, you can address any potential 404 errors before they affect your visitors.

Conclusion

The WordPress 404 error can occur due to misconfigured permalinks, plugin conflicts, or server-side issues. Fortunately, fixing this error is typically a simple process involving resetting permalinks, clearing caches, and regenerating the .htaccess file. If the issue persists, plugin conflicts or server-related problems might be the cause. By following the troubleshooting steps in this article, you should be able to fix and prevent WordPress 404 errors on posts and pages.