One error 404 on WordPress appears when a requested page cannot be found by the site. In practice, the visitor clicks a link, types an address, or arrives from Google, but WordPress finds no matching content.
This issue can be worrying, especially when it affects an important page. However, in most cases it’s due to a link, a setting, or URL structure. I explain here the most common causes and the checks to perform.
Why does an error 404 appear on WordPress?
First, you should understand that the error 404 doesn’t necessarily mean your site is broken. It simply indicates that the requested address does not point to any available page.
The simplest cause is a deleted page. For example, if an old post was removed but a link still points to it, the visitor will land on a not-found page. Also, a modified URL can produce the same result if no redirect has been set up.
Next, WordPress permalinks can sometimes be at fault. Permalinks define the structure of your site’s addresses. After a migration, an update, a hosting change, or a settings modification, WordPress may need to regenerate this structure.
Check permalinks to fix an error 404 on WordPress
The first check I recommend is very simple. In the WordPress admin, go to Settings, then Permalinks. Then just click Save Changes, even if you change nothing.
This action forces WordPress to rewrite certain internal rules. In practice, this is often enough to fix pages that showed an error 404 after a migration, theme change, or update.
If the problem continues, check whether the page address has changed. Compare the current URL with links in your menus, buttons, posts, and internal pages. A single different letter can create a not-found page.
Internal links, menus and redirects to check
WordPress menus are another frequent source of error 404. An item can point to an old page, an old category, or a custom URL that no longer exists.
I also recommend checking internal links within important content. If you changed a page’s title or slug, old links don’t always update automatically.
For moved or renamed pages, a redirect 301 is often the best solution. It tells visitors and search engines that the old address should now lead to the new one. A plugin like Redirection can help manage this cleanly.
When should you ask for help?
If several pages display an error 404 at the same time, the problem may come from the configuration file, hosting, a plugin, or an incomplete migration. In that case, it’s best to avoid making random changes.
In the end, a error 404 on WordPress is often fixed with a simple method: check the URL, save the permalinks, review the menus, then add redirects as needed. If you want to go further or get help stabilizing your site, you can also visit my online store.