If you’re a WordPress user, you’ve probably encountered the frustrating “Error 404 Not Found” message at some point. It can be incredibly frustrating when you’re trying to access your website or a specific page, only to be met with this error. The good news is that fixing this issue is not as difficult as it may seem. In this article, we’ll guide you through some simple steps to help you troubleshoot and resolve the “WordPress Error 404 Not Found” issue, getting your website back up and running smoothly.
1. Clear the Browser Cache
1.1 Clear Cache in Google Chrome
If you are encountering the “WordPress Error 404 Not Found” message, one of the first troubleshooting steps you should take is to clear your browser cache. In Google Chrome, you can do this by following a few simple steps:
- Open Google Chrome on your computer.
- Click on the three dots menu in the top-right corner of the browser window.
- Select “More Tools” from the dropdown menu.
- In the submenu that appears, click on “Clear browsing data.”
- A new tab will open with the Clear browsing data options. Ensure that the “Cached images and files” box is checked.
- You can also choose the time range for which you want to clear the cache. If you’re not sure, select “All time.”
- Click on the “Clear data” button to clear the cached files and images from your browser.
1.2 Clear Cache in Mozilla Firefox
If you are using Mozilla Firefox as your browser, you can follow these steps to clear the cache:
- Open Mozilla Firefox on your computer.
- Click on the three lines menu in the top-right corner of the browser window.
- Select “Options” from the dropdown menu.
- In the left sidebar, click on “Privacy & Security.”
- Scroll down until you find the “Cookies and Site Data” section.
- Click on the “Clear Data” button.
- Ensure that the “Cached Web Content” box is checked.
- Click on the “Clear” button to clear the cached files from your browser.
1.3 Clear Cache in Safari
If you are using Safari on your Mac, you can clear the cache by following these steps:
- Open Safari on your Mac.
- In the top menu, click on “History.”
- From the dropdown menu, select “Clear History.”
- In the dialog box that appears, choose the time range for which you want to clear the cache. If you’re not sure, select “all history.”
- Click on the “Clear History” button to clear the cached files from your browser.
1.4 Clear Cache in Microsoft Edge
For Microsoft Edge users, you can clear the browser cache by following the steps below:
- Open Microsoft Edge on your computer.
- Click on the three dots menu in the top-right corner of the browser window.
- Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
- In the left sidebar, click on “Privacy, search, and services.”
- Scroll down until you find the “Clear browsing data” section.
- Click on the “Choose what to clear” button.
- Ensure that the “Cached images and files” box is checked.
- Click on the “Clear” button to clear the cached files from your browser.
2. Check the Permalink Settings
2.1 Access Permalink Settings
The permalink settings in WordPress determine the structure of the URLs for your website’s posts and pages. If you encounter a “WordPress Error 404 Not Found” message, it could be due to an issue with the permalink settings. To check and adjust your permalink settings, follow these steps:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- In the left sidebar, hover over “Settings” and then click on “Permalinks.”
2.2 Choose a Different Permalink Structure
In the Permalink Settings page, you will see several options for setting the permalink structure. If you are experiencing a 404 error, it is recommended to choose a different permalink structure and see if the issue persists. You can select various options such as “Plain,” “Day and name,” “Month and name,” and more. Choose a different structure and click on the “Save Changes” button at the bottom of the page.
2.3 Save Changes
After selecting a different permalink structure, make sure to save the changes by clicking on the “Save Changes” button. This will update the permalink settings for your website. After saving the changes, try accessing the previously problematic page or post again to see if the 404 error is resolved.
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3. Verify the .htaccess File
3.1 Locate the .htaccess File
The .htaccess file is an important configuration file for WordPress websites. It is responsible for various settings and rules that control how your website functions. If this file is missing or has incorrect configurations, it can lead to a 404 error. To verify the .htaccess file, follow these steps:
- Access your website’s files using an FTP client or file manager provided by your web hosting service.
- Look for the .htaccess file in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
3.2 Backup the .htaccess File
Before making any changes to the .htaccess file, it is crucial to create a backup. This ensures that you can revert to the previous version of the file if anything goes wrong. To backup the .htaccess file, simply make a copy of it and store it in a safe location on your computer.
3.3 Edit the .htaccess File
If you have verified that the .htaccess file exists, you can proceed to edit it to potentially fix the 404 error. Open the .htaccess file using a text editor, and check for any lines of code that might be causing the issue. You can also consider removing all the code from the .htaccess file temporarily and saving the file to see if the error is resolved.
3.4 Test the Website
After making any changes to the .htaccess file, it’s essential to test your website to see if the 404 error is resolved. Try accessing the previously problematic page or post and see if it loads correctly. If the error persists, you can restore the original .htaccess file from your backup and proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
4. Generate a New .htaccess File
4.1 Access WordPress Dashboard
If your .htaccess file is missing or the edits you made did not resolve the 404 error, you can generate a new .htaccess file from within the WordPress dashboard. Follow these steps to access the necessary settings:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- In the left sidebar, hover over “Settings” and then click on “Permalinks.”
4.2 Navigate to Settings
In the Permalink Settings page, you will find the option to generate a new .htaccess file.
4.3 Select Permalinks
In the Permalink Settings page, make sure the desired permalink structure is selected. You can choose from options such as “Plain,” “Day and name,” “Month and name,” and more.
4.4 Choose Default Permalink Structure
If you’re unsure which permalink structure to select, you can choose the default structure by clicking on the “Plain” option.
4.5 Save Changes
After selecting the desired permalink structure, make sure to save the changes by clicking on the “Save Changes” button.
4.6 Create a New .htaccess File
After saving the changes, WordPress will attempt to create a new .htaccess file with the correct configurations. If successful, you can proceed to the next step. If the file is not generated, you may need to check your file permissions or seek professional assistance.
4.7 Set File Permissions
It is important to ensure that the file permissions for the .htaccess file allow WordPress to write to and modify the file. Typically, the file should have a permission setting of 644. You can check and adjust the file permissions using an FTP client or the file manager provided by your web hosting service.
4.8 Test the Website
After generating a new .htaccess file and setting the correct file permissions, test your website to see if the 404 error is resolved. Try accessing the problematic page or post and verify if it loads correctly. If the error persists, you can move on to the next troubleshooting step.
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5. Disable WordPress Plugins
5.1 Access WordPress Dashboard
WordPress plugins can sometimes cause conflicts or issues, leading to the “WordPress Error 404 Not Found.” To determine if a plugin is causing the error, you can temporarily disable all plugins and then re-enable them one by one. First, access your WordPress dashboard.
5.2 Disable Plugins
In the WordPress dashboard, go to the “Plugins” section in the left sidebar. Click on “Installed Plugins.” Select all plugins by checking the box next to “Plugin.” From the “Bulk Actions” dropdown menu, choose “Deactivate” and click on the “Apply” button. This will deactivate all the installed plugins on your website.
5.3 Test the Website
After disabling the plugins, test your website to see if the 404 error persists. Try accessing the problematic page or post and check if it loads correctly. If the error is resolved, it means one of the plugins was causing the issue.
5.4 Identify the Problematic Plugin
To identify the problematic plugin, you will need to re-enable the plugins one by one and test your website after enabling each plugin. Start by enabling one plugin and then test the website. Repeat this process until you identify the plugin that triggers the 404 error.
5.5 Remove or Replace the Problematic Plugin
Once you have identified the plugin causing the issue, you have a few options. If you no longer need the plugin or can find an alternative, you can remove it completely from your WordPress installation. Alternatively, you can try updating the plugin to the latest version, as a newer version might have resolved the compatibility issue causing the 404 error.
6. Rename or Remove the .htaccess File
6.1 Access WordPress Files
If none of the previous steps have resolved the 404 error, you can try renaming or removing the .htaccess file to see if it resolves the issue. To do this, you will need to access the WordPress files.
6.2 Locate the .htaccess File
Using an FTP client or the file manager provided by your web hosting service, navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation and locate the .htaccess file.
6.3 Rename or Remove the .htaccess File
Once you have located the .htaccess file, you can choose to either rename it or remove it from the directory. renaming the file will prevent WordPress from using it temporarily, while removing it will force WordPress to generate a new .htaccess file. Choose the option that suits your preference, but make sure to make a backup of the original file before making any changes.
6.4 Test the Website
After renaming or removing the .htaccess file, test your website to see if the 404 error is resolved. Access the problematic page or post and verify if it loads correctly. If the error persists, you can restore the original .htaccess file from your backup and proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
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7. Check the Redirects
7.1 Inspect Redirects
Redirects are commonly used in WordPress to direct visitors from one URL to another. Sometimes, incorrect or misconfigured redirects can lead to a 404 error. To inspect the redirects on your website, you can use various plugins or check the redirect settings if your theme has any built-in options.
7.2 Remove or Fix Incorrect Redirects
If you find any incorrect or unnecessary redirects, you can remove or fix them to resolve the 404 error. This usually involves editing the redirect settings in a plugin or theme options or manually adjusting the redirect rules in your .htaccess file.
7.3 Test the Website
After removing or fixing any incorrect redirects, test your website to see if the 404 error is resolved. Access the problematic page or post and verify if it loads correctly. If the error persists, you can move on to the next troubleshooting step.
8. Confirm the Page Exists
8.1 Check the Page URL
Sometimes, the “WordPress Error 404 Not Found” can be caused by a simple typographical error in the page URL. Double-check the URL you are attempting to access and make sure it is correct.
8.2 Verify the Existence of the Page
Ensure that the page you are trying to access actually exists on your website. It is possible that the page may have been deleted or moved, resulting in the 404 error. Verify that the page is still published and accessible from the WordPress dashboard.
8.3 Update Internal Links
If you have confirmed that the page exists and the URL is correct, you can further troubleshoot the 404 error by updating internal links. check if any internal links on your website are pointing to an incorrect URL or a page that no longer exists. Update the links to reflect the correct URLs and ensure that they are working correctly.
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9. Review Theme Files
9.1 Identify the Active Theme
The theme you are using in WordPress can sometimes be the cause of the “WordPress Error 404 Not Found.” Identify the active theme you are using on your website.
9.2 Check for Corrupted Theme Files
Corrupted theme files can lead to various issues, including the 404 error. Check your theme files for any corruption or missing files. This can be done by accessing the theme files through an FTP client or the file manager provided by your web hosting service.
9.3 Replace or Repair Theme Files
If you find any corrupted or missing theme files, you can try replacing them with fresh copies from the original theme source. Alternatively, you can contact the theme developer for assistance in repairing or troubleshooting the theme files.
10. Seek Professional Help
10.1 Contact a WordPress Developer
If none of the previous steps have resolved the 404 error on your WordPress website, it might be time to seek professional help. Contact a WordPress developer who has experience in troubleshooting and resolving website issues.
10.2 Provide Necessary Information
When contacting a WordPress developer, provide them with all relevant information about the issue. This includes any error messages, steps you have already taken, and details about your website’s configuration and plugins.
10.3 Follow Developer’s Recommendations
Once you have contacted a WordPress developer and explained the issue, it is important to follow their recommendations and instructions. They may require access to your website or server to diagnose and fix the 404 error effectively. Trust their expertise and work alongside them to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve the “WordPress Error 404 Not Found.” Remember to always make backups of your files before making any changes and seek professional assistance if needed. With a methodical approach and some technical knowledge, you can get your website up and running smoothly again.
