{"id":2576,"date":"2025-08-12T11:17:46","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T11:17:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hostrago.com\/knowledge-base\/?p=2576"},"modified":"2025-08-12T11:56:18","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T11:56:18","slug":"fix-404-page-not-found-error-wordpress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hostrago.com\/knowledge-base\/fix-404-page-not-found-error-wordpress\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Fix the 404 Page Not Found Error in WordPress?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When running a WordPress website, one of the most common issues you might encounter is the dreaded 404 Page Not Found Error<\/strong>. This error appears when a visitor tries to access a page that doesn\u2019t exist or is temporarily unavailable. While it might look harmless, the 404 Page Not Found Error can negatively impact user experience, SEO rankings, and your website\u2019s overall credibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Hostrago<\/a><\/strong>, we understand how frustrating this can be for website owners. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve created this in-depth guide to help you understand the causes behind the 404 Page Not Found Error<\/strong> and, more importantly, how to fix it quickly so your visitors can enjoy a smooth browsing experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Causes the 404 Page Not Found Error in WordPress?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before fixing the issue, it\u2019s essential to know what\u2019s causing it. Common reasons include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Broken or deleted links<\/strong> \u2013 The page no longer exists or the URL has changed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Incorrect permalinks<\/strong> \u2013 WordPress permalink settings might not be configured properly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Corrupted .htaccess file<\/strong> \u2013 Server configuration files may be damaged.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Theme or plugin conflicts<\/strong> \u2013 Certain plugins or themes can interfere with URL handling.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. DNS or server issues<\/strong> \u2013 Temporary server downtime or migration problems.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Methods to Fix the 404 Page Not Found Error in WordPress<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Let\u2019s go step-by-step through the most effective solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Reset Your WordPress Permalink Settings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    One of the easiest fixes is to reset your permalink settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Steps:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Log in to your WordPress <\/a>dashboard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Go to Settings<\/strong> \u2192 Permalinks<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \"WordPress<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      1. Choose your preferred permalink structure (e.g., \u201cPost name\u201d).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
        \"Save<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        1. Click Save Changes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          This action refreshes your permalink configuration, fixing broken links caused by permalink errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \ud83d\udccc Related:<\/em> Check out our guide on WordPress Hosting Plans<\/a> for optimized performance and stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          2. Restore or Regenerate the .htaccess File<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          If your .htaccess<\/code> file is corrupted, it can cause the 404 Page Not Found Error<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Steps:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          1. Connect to your site via FTP or File Manager (from cPanel).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
            \"root<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            4. Paste the code given below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            # BEGIN WordPress\n\nRewriteEngine On\nRewriteBase \/\nRewriteRule ^index.php$ - [L]\nRewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f\nRewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d\nRewriteRule . \/index.php [L]\n\n# End WordPress<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            1. Locate the .htaccess<\/code> file in the root directory.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            2. Click the +File<\/strong> button on the top-right corner of the dashboard.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
              \"backup<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              1. Delete the original .htaccess<\/code> file.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              2. Go to Settings<\/strong> \u2192 Permalinks<\/strong> in WordPress and click Save Changes<\/strong> to regenerate the file.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                \"create<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                For more details on cPanel file management, see our Beginner\u2019s Guide to cPanel<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                3. Check for Plugin or Theme Conflicts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                Some plugins or themes can interfere with URL routing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                Steps:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                1. Deactivate all plugins.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                2. Check if the issue is resolved.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                3. Reactivate plugins one by one to find the culprit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                4. Switch temporarily to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four<\/strong> to see if the problem persists.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                  4. Clear Your Browser and WordPress Cache<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                  Caching plugins or your browser\u2019s cache may still be serving outdated content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n