Are you facing trouble with WordPress posts returning 404 errors, and want to know how to fix WordPress posts returning 404 errors? Yes! It can be frustrating to see your website visitors encounter an error page when they try to access your posts. But worry not, as we have the solution for you. In this article, we will guide you through the process of fixing WordPress posts returning 404 errors.
If you have been struggling with this issue, here’s a brief of what you will find in this article. Our WordPress experts have curated a step-by-step guide to help you resolve the error in just a few minutes. You will learn about the common causes of this error, including permalink issues, plugin conflicts, and corrupt .htaccess files. Our expert tips and tricks will help you troubleshoot the problem and get your website up and running again.
But that’s not all. In addition to fixing the error, we have also included some pro tips to help you prevent it from happening again in the future. So, without any further delay, let’s jump right into the article and get your WordPress posts back on track. And if you’re still skeptical, rest assured that our tips and solutions have been tested and approved by some of the most renowned WordPress developers in the industry.
What is a 404 Errors in WordPress?
If you’re a website owner, you may have encountered a 404 error at some point. A 404 error is an HTTP response code that indicates that the requested page could not be found on the server. It’s a frustrating experience for users, and it can also affect your website’s SEO. It is not a WordPress-specific issue, and it can occur on any website.
A 404 error occurs when a user tries to access a page that no longer exists on your website or has been moved to a new location. When a user clicks on a broken link, they’ll be directed to a 404 error page. This page indicates that the content they’re looking for is not available and may suggest alternative pages or ways to find the content.
In this guide, we’ll explain what causes the 404 error on WordPress posts, and how to fix WordPress posts returning 404 errors.
Why Are Your WordPress Posts Returning 404 Errors?
Before we dive into the methods to fix WordPress posts returning 404 errors, let’s take a look at some of the reasons why this error occurs in the first place.
#Incorrect Permalink Structure
WordPress uses a permalink structure to generate URLs for your posts and pages. If your permalink structure is incorrect, it can cause a 404 error to occur when visitors try to access your posts.
#Corrupted .htaccess File
The .htaccess file is a configuration file that tells your server how to handle various requests. If this file is corrupted or missing, it can cause the 404 error to occur.
#Deleted Posts or Pages
If you’ve deleted a post or page on your WordPress website, but it still appears in search engine results, visitors may try to access it, resulting in a 404 error.
#Plugin or Theme Conflict
Sometimes, a plugin or theme can conflict with WordPress, causing the 404 error to occur when visitors try to access your posts.
Now that we’ve looked at some of the reasons why WordPress posts returning 404 errors, let’s dive into the methods to fix it.
How to Fix WordPress Posts Returning 404 Errors
Here are some of the most effective ways to fix WordPress posts returning 404 errors:
#Check Your Permalink Structure
The first thing to check when you encounter the 404 error is your permalink structure. You can check this by navigating to the Permalinks settings in your WordPress dashboard.
- Login to your WordPress Dashboard
- Go to Settings > Permalinks.
- Choose the Permalink structure you want
- Save Changes
Changing your permalink structure can sometimes fix the issue. Basically, this will update your permalink settings and recreate the rewrite rules. In most cases, this solution fixed the WordPress post 404 error. If this doesn’t work, you’ll probably need to manually update your .htaccess file. So, let’s move on to the next method.
#Regenerate Your .htaccess File
Login to your website directory using the FTP client and modify the .htaccess file which is located in the same location where folders like /wp-content/ and /wp-includes/ are located.
The easiest way to fix this 404 error is just temporarily changing the file permissions to 666 to make the file writable.
Then repeat the original solution. Don’t forget to change the permission to 660. Here’s the step-by-step process to regenerate the .htaccess file by following these steps:
- Login to your WordPress Dashboard.
- Go to Settings > Permalinks.
- Click “Save Changes” at the bottom of the page.
- WordPress will regenerate a new .htaccess file for you.
You can also manually add the following code to your .htaccess file:
# BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ – [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule. /index.php [L]
</IfModule>
# END WordPress
#Update Your Website’s DNS Settings
Sometimes, a 404 error can occur due to a DNS issue. You can fix this by updating your website’s DNS settings. You can do this by contacting your hosting provider and asking them to update your DNS settings.
#Use a Plugin to Fix the Issue
If you’re not comfortable with making changes to your website’s files, you can use a plugin to fix the 404 error on your WordPress posts. One of the most popular plugins is the “Permalink Manager Lite” plugin.
Install and activate the Permalink Manager Lite plugin on your website.
- Go to the Permalink Manager Lite settings.
- Choose the “Reset” tab.
- Click the “Regenerate/reset all URLs” button.
- This plugin will regenerate your URLs and fix the 404 error issue.
#Check Your Website’s Cache
If you use a caching plugin on your website, it may be causing the 404 error issue. You can fix this by clearing your website’s cache.
- Login to your WordPress Dashboard.
- Go to the Caching plugin settings (if you have any)
- Clear the cache.
#Disable Conflicting Plugins or Theme
If a plugin or theme is causing the 404 error, you can disable it to fix the issue.
- Login to your WordPress Dashboard.
- Go to the Plugins or Appearance > Themes.
- Disable the conflicting plugin or theme.
- Check if the issue has been resolved
Conclusion
The 404 error can be frustrating for website owners and visitors. However, it is a common issue that can be fixed using various methods. In this guide, we’ve discussed some of the most effective ways how to fix WordPress posts returning 404 errors.
By following the step-by-step instructions mentioned in this guide, you can fix the 404 errors on your WordPress website and improve the user experience and SEO of your website.
If you still have any questions or concerns about fixing the 404 error, feel free to leave a comment below.
