404 errors on your website can be frustrating. They upset both you and your visitors. The problem occurs when a page cannot be found on your server. This can happen in a number of ways, such as a broken link, an incorrect URL, or a deleted page. Fortunately, fixing a 404 error is fairly easy. In the following guide, we will show you step-by-step how to detect and fix 404 errors on your website.
What are 404 errors?
A 404 error is a message you see when a web page cannot be found. It happens when you try to visit a page that either doesn’t exist anymore or the link is broken. For example, if someone deletes a page from their website or types the wrong URL, your browser will show this error.
This error tells both visitors and search engines like Google that the page is missing. While one or two 404 errors are normal, too many can confuse visitors and harm your site’s reputation. That’s why it’s important to find and fix these errors quickly. This type of error can appear in the following forms:
- Error 404
- HTTP 404
- 404 Not Found
- 404 Page Not Found
- Error 404 Not Found
- HTTP 404 Not Found
- 404 File or Directory Not Found
- Requested URL Not Found on the Server
- Cannot Find the Page You’re Looking For
Why Should You Fix 404 Errors?
- Improves User Experience: Visitors who see a 404 error might leave your site. This can reduce your traffic.
- Boosts SEO: Search engines like Google penalize sites with many 404 errors. This can lower your site’s ranking.
- Reduces desired traffic: Broken links can lead to lost traffic. This is especially important for sales or product pages.
Simple 10 Ways to Fix 404 Error Quickly
1. Identify the Source of the 404 Error
Google Search Console: Use Google Search Console to identify pages returning 404 errors. Navigate to the “Coverage” report, where you’ll see a list of URLs with errors.
Analytics Tools: Use tools like Google Analytics to track 404 errors. You can set up a custom report or alert for ‘Page Not Found’ events.
2. Redirect the Broken URL
If the page has been moved or deleted, set up a 301 redirect to guide users to the correct page. This can be done using a plugin (like Redirection for WordPress) or by editing your .htaccess file.
Example: Redirect 301 /old-page/ https://www.yourwebsite.com/new-page/
3. Restore the Missing Page
If the page was accidentally deleted and is still relevant, consider restoring it. And if you have a backup of your site, restore the missing contents.
4. Update Internal Links
Ensure that all internal links on your website point to the correct URLs. Broken internal links can lead to 404 errors and disrupt the flow of your website.
5. Submit the Updated URL to Google
After fixing the issue, submit the updated URL to Google through the Search Console. This will prompt Google to recrawl the page and update its index.
6. Create a Custom 404 Page
Even with all precautions, some users may still encounter 404 errors. A custom 404 page can help users by guiding them to other parts of your site. It can offer a search bar or suggest related content.
7. Refresh the Page
You may encounter a 404 error if the page fails to load properly. Refreshing or reloading the webpage can resolve the issue. Click the refresh button at the top of your web browser or press the F5 key on your keyboard to reload the page.
Related: How to use keyboard controls without a mouse
8. Check the URL
Review the URL to ensure it is correct. Look for typos, misplaced forward slashes, or dashes. It’s important to note that this works best for clean URLs—search-friendly URLs that are easy to read and understand.
9. Check Directory Levels
If the page isn’t accessible, try navigating back through previous directory levels or pages to reach your desired content. For example, if you try to access https://seoservicecare.com/ under-100 and it doesn’t work, remove “under-100” from the URL and check if https://seoservicecare.com/this-site-cant-be-reached/ works. Continue removing parts of the URL between slashes until you reach a working directory level.
10. Search the Website
Most websites include a search function specifically for their content. Use this feature to locate the page you are looking for by entering relevant keywords related to the content you want to access.
Preventing 404 Errors in the Future
- Monitor Your Site Regularly: Check your site regularly with tools like Google Search Console. This helps you find 404 errors early before they become a bigger issue.
- Use a Link Checker: Link checkers can find broken links on your website. This lets you fix them quickly.
- Keep a Backup: Regular backups make it easy to restore any missing pages on your website.
Also, if you are having a problem with reCAPTCHA Badge then you can read our blog post “How to Remove reCAPTCHA Badge from Website”.
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Sometimes fixing a 404 error may seem too technical. You might not know which page is broken, how to set up a redirect, or what tools to use. That’s okay.
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FAQs About How to Fix 404 Errors
What Are 404 Errors?
A 404 error occurs when a web page cannot be found on a server. This usually happens because the page has been removed, the URL was typed incorrectly, or the page never existed. When users encounter a 404 error, the server responds with a “404 Not Found” message, indicating the requested page is unavailable.
1. What causes a 404 error on a website?
A 404 error happens when someone clicks on a link that goes to a page that doesn’t exist. It could be because the page was deleted, the URL was changed, or the link was typed wrong. These errors confuse both users and Google, so it’s important to find and fix them fast to protect your site’s SEO.
2. How to fix 404 errors in WordPress?
First, use Google Search Console to find which pages are showing 404 errors. Then, install a plugin like Redirection to send those broken URLs to working pages. You can also recreate deleted content or fix internal links. This simple fix helps improve both user experience and Google rankings.
3. Is a 404 error bad for SEO?
Yes, too many 404 errors can hurt your SEO. They tell Google that your site has broken pages, which may lower your ranking. Users also leave quickly when they see a “Page Not Found” message, which increases the bounce rate. That’s why it’s important to fix 404s regularly and keep your site clean.
4. Can I redirect all 404 pages to my homepage?
Redirecting all 404s to your homepage is not a good idea. Google may treat this as a soft 404 if the content doesn’t match. Instead, redirect each broken link to the most relevant page. This keeps users on your site longer and helps your SEO stay strong and natural.
5. How often should I check for 404 errors?
You should check for 404 errors at least once a month. Use tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or Broken Link Checker to scan your site. Finding and fixing these issues early helps your site stay healthy and ensures a better experience for visitors and search engines alike.
Conclusion: Fixing 404 Errors Is Simple If You Know What to Do
A 404 error might seem small, but it can hurt your website’s traffic and trust. When people land on a “Page Not Found,” they often leave, and Google may lower your rankings too.
In this guide, you learned how to fix 404 errors step by step, like using Google Search Console to find broken pages, creating proper redirects, fixing wrong links, and setting up a helpful 404 page. These small steps make a big difference. They help keep your visitors happy and your website healthy in Google’s eyes.
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