404 Not Found Error

Complete Guide to Understanding, Troubleshooting and Fixing HTTP 404 Errors.

What is a 404 Not Found Error?

A 404 Not Found Error is an HTTP status code that indicates the server is reachable, but the requested page or resource cannot be found. This is one of the most common website errors and usually occurs when a page has been deleted, moved, renamed, or the URL is incorrect.

Common Error Messages

Why Does a 404 Error Occur?

How to Fix 404 Not Found Error

1. Verify the URL

Check the spelling of the URL carefully.


2. Restore Deleted Pages

If the page was removed accidentally, restore it from backup.


3. Create Redirects

Use 301 redirects when URLs change.

Redirect 301 /old-page https://example.com/new-page

4. Check .htaccess

Ensure rewrite rules are correct.


5. Fix Broken Links

Update internal and external links pointing to missing pages.


6. Regenerate Permalinks

In WordPress simply save Permalink Settings again.


7. Clear Website Cache

Clear browser cache, CDN cache, and website cache.


8. Check File Exists

Verify the requested file is present on the server.


9. Monitor Google Search Console

Identify crawl errors and submit fixes.


10. Contact Your Hosting Provider

If server routing is incorrect, your hosting provider can investigate.

Common Causes by Platform

Platform Possible Cause
WordPress Broken permalinks, deleted pages
PrestaShop Friendly URL issues, deleted products
Laravel Missing routes
Apache .htaccess configuration
Nginx Rewrite rule issues

How to Prevent 404 Errors

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 404 Error Bad for SEO?

Occasional 404 errors are normal, but many broken pages can negatively affect user experience and SEO.

Can a 404 Error be Fixed?

Yes. Most 404 errors are fixed by restoring pages, correcting URLs, or creating redirects.

What is the Difference Between 403 and 404?

A 403 error means access is forbidden, while a 404 error means the requested page cannot be found.

Should I Redirect Every 404 Page?

Only if there is a relevant replacement page. Otherwise, let the page return a proper 404 status.

Need Professional Help?

At SiteFix, we help businesses quickly resolve website errors and improve website performance.

Our experienced developers can identify broken links, restore missing pages, configure redirects, and optimize your website for better user experience and SEO.