This is What to Do When a Link Opens a 404 Error Page in WordPress
One of the most common issues WordPress users face is a link opening a 404 error page. This can be incredibly frustrating, as it means your visitors are not able to access the content they are trying to reach.
Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to troubleshoot and fix 404 errors in WordPress. In this article, we'll walk through the steps to identify the root cause of the problem and implement effective solutions.
Understanding 404 Errors in WordPress
A 404 error occurs when a user tries to access a web page that doesn't exist on your WordPress site. This can happen for a few key reasons:
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Broken or Incorrect Links: If you have a link on your site that points to the wrong URL, it will result in a 404 error when clicked.
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Unpublished or Deleted Pages: If you've unpublished or deleted a page on your WordPress site, any links pointing to that page will now result in a 404.
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Permalink Issues: Problems with your site's permalink structure can also cause 404 errors, as WordPress may not be able to properly generate the correct URL.
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Plugin or Theme Conflicts: Certain plugins or theme conflicts can sometimes interfere with your WordPress site's ability to properly generate and serve pages, leading to 404 errors.
Identifying the root cause of the 404 error is the first step to resolving the issue. Let's look at some troubleshooting tips to help you pinpoint the problem.
Troubleshooting 404 Errors in WordPress
1. Check the Link URL
The first thing you should do is carefully examine the link that's opening the 404 page. Verify that the URL is correct and matches the page you're trying to access.
In WordPress, you can use the site_url()
function to generate the proper URL for a page. This function will return the full URL for your WordPress site, which you can then append the desired page path to.
For example, if you have a page called "Projekti" on your site, you could use the following code to generate the link:
echo site_url('/projekti/', 'https');
This will output the full HTTPS URL for the "Projekti" page, which you can then use in your link.
You can also use the get_page_link()
function to retrieve the URL for a specific page by its ID:
$page_id = 123; // Replace with the ID of the page you want to link to
echo get_page_link($page_id);
Verifying the URL is the first step in troubleshooting a 404 error.
2. Check Your Permalink Settings
Another common cause of 404 errors is an issue with your WordPress site's permalink structure. Permalinks are the permanent URLs used for your site's pages, posts, and other content.
To check your permalink settings, go to the WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to Settings > Permalinks. Ensure that your permalink structure is set to a valid option, such as "Post name" or "Custom Structure."
If you've recently changed your permalink settings, you may need to flush your site's rewrite rules. You can do this by going to the Permalinks settings page and clicking the "Save Changes" button, even if you haven't made any changes.
3. Deactivate and Reactivate Plugins
Problematic plugins can sometimes cause 404 errors on your WordPress site. To rule out a plugin issue, try deactivating all your plugins and see if the 404 error goes away.
If the 404 error is resolved after deactivating your plugins, you can then reactivate them one by one to identify the culprit. When the 404 error reappears, you'll know that the last plugin you reactivated is causing the problem.
You can then either seek a solution or update that plugin, or consider finding an alternative plugin that doesn't cause conflicts.
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4. Switch to a Default WordPress Theme
Similar to plugin conflicts, issues with your WordPress theme can also lead to 404 errors. To test if your theme is the problem, switch to a default WordPress theme, such as Twenty Twenty-One or Twenty Twenty-Two.
If the 404 error is resolved after switching themes, then the issue is likely related to your custom theme. You can either reach out to the theme developer for support or consider switching to a different, well-supported theme.
5. Check for Redirects or Caching Issues
Sometimes, 404 errors can be caused by redirects or caching issues on your WordPress site. If you have any caching plugins or a content delivery network (CDN) enabled, try clearing the cache and see if that resolves the problem.
You should also check if you have any redirect rules set up in your .htaccess file or through a plugin like Redirection. Ensure that these redirects are configured correctly and aren't inadvertently causing 404 errors.
6. Examine Server Logs for Clues
If you're still unable to identify the root cause of the 404 error, checking your server logs can provide valuable insights. WordPress stores error logs that can help you pinpoint the specific issue causing the 404 error.
The location of your server logs will depend on your hosting provider, but you can typically find them in the cPanel or server management dashboard. Look for any error messages or clues that might indicate the source of the 404 issue.
By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to quickly identify and resolve the 404 error on your WordPress site. Remember, the key is to methodically work through each potential problem area to isolate the root cause.
Preventing Future 404 Errors
Once you've fixed the immediate 404 error, it's important to take steps to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. Here are a few best practices to keep in mind:
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Maintain Your Content: Regularly review your WordPress site's content to ensure that all pages, posts, and links are up-to-date and functioning correctly.
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Implement Proper Redirects: If you do need to delete or unpublish a page, make sure to set up a 301 redirect to point users to the correct new location.
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Use Relative URLs: When linking between pages on your WordPress site, use relative URLs instead of absolute URLs. This can help prevent issues if your site's domain or URL structure changes in the future.
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Monitor for 404 Errors: Use a tool like Flowpoint.ai to continuously monitor your WordPress site for 404 errors and other technical issues that can impact user experience and conversion rates. Flowpoint can automatically identify and recommend fixes for these problems.
By following these best practices, you can help ensure that your WordPress site remains free of 404 errors and provides a seamless user experience for your visitors.