WordPress page not found is one of the most frequently occurring errors. Generally, it triggers while writing the rules in the .htaccess file again or while activating a new theme.
Mostly when you access other website pages from your home page, the error prompts up on your screen.
Also, if the .htaccess file is deleted, you might encounter this error. Another reason could be when something went wrong with rewrite rules.
What Causes WordPress Page Not Found issue?
Before looking for trying to resolve the error, you have to be aware of the responsible factors that might lead to this error. Hence, have a glance below.
- While trying to get access to a page and if your browser can not find it, then this error message may originate. Almost in every browser, you can find this error message but with the variation in its presentation.
- Any mistake or mistype in your URL address can also lead to this error.
- If your browser has caching problems then it will block the page that you are trying to get access.
- An issue with your Domain Name server settings can be another responsible factor that might lead to this error.
- Sometimes issues with a plugin or theme can affect the operations of WordPress and you can find this 404 error.
Easy Hacks to Fix WordPress Page Not Found Issue:
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways through which you can fix this WordPress page not found issue. But before you apply any method do not forget to back up your website. Also, you can try force-refreshing for your website as well.
Then, follow the below steps:
Reset WordPress Permalinks
Developers use a local server for testing purposes. For using pretty permalinks you must enable the rewrite-module in the Apache configuration of your MAMP, WAMP or XXAMP.
So, if you want to fix 404 error, then reset your permalink settings. In two ways you can do this reset- Automatically and Manually. Check out both the processes that are described below.
Automatically
- Get access to your dashboard and go to settings and then Permalinks options.
- Take note of the structure of your site.
- Choose the Plain option under Common settings and then click on save.
- Now the page will reload.
- Once it is done, select your previous permalinks type and save the changes.
- This will reset your WordPress permalink structure.
- Now, open your browser once again and check the issue.
Manual Reset
After following the automatic process, if the issue still persists then follow the manual reset process. Now ensure to backup your site before you follow this manual process.
- For this process, you should have access to edit your .htaccess file.
- You have to edit this file in a compatible text editor
- Replace the original file and reupload the edit file to your site and save the changes.
It will depend on your setup that you can get more than the default code in the .htaccess file. But do not forget to edit it in inherent code and leave everything else intact.
For completing the manual reset you have to edit .htaccess file and replace the default code with one of the snippets that will be available on the official website. Then, go through them and select that will be suitable for your setup and save the file. After saving the file check whether the issue gets resolved or not.
Disable WordPress Themes and Plugins
Because of the WordPress themes and plugins, your WordPress URL structure might get affected. So, if you find a 404 error or WordPress not working issue then disable the themes and plugins of your WordPress and try to fix this issue instantly.
There are two different ways that are available for this process. Follow them exactly as stated below.
Step 1
If you have access to your dashboard then perform the following.
- Go to Plugins and then All plugins tab.
- Below the plugin’s name, hit on the Deactivate button.
- Check your site and find out a 404 error whether it still persists or not.
- If it is there then, re-activate the disabled plugin.
- Repeat this process for each of your plugins.
If this process can fix your issue, you can follow three options. Check if there is any update available, disable the plugin temporarily until there is an update, or you can uninstall it as well. If the plugins are not the causes of this error then you have to check your active theme. Therefore,
- Just go to the Theme tab and switch it to anything else.
- Now, check if any update is available or find out a new theme.
- Check if the issue is resolved or not.
Step 2
If you are unable to get access to your dashboard then you have to follow a manual process via FTP. Hence, do the following.
- Access your website by using the FileZilla server.
- Go to the public_html/wp-content directory.
- Here you can find Plugins and themes folder.
- Go into the plugins directory.
- Select one of the plugin folders from the list.
- Right-click on the folder and then select the Rename option.
- Change the name of the folder so that it can be easily identified.
- Check if the issue is resolved.
If this process can not fix the issue then go to wp-content>themes directory>search your active theme’s folder and rename it. In case the issue is resolved then get a new theme or you can restore your theme’s folder to its original name.
Repair Custom Post Types
If you see the WordPress page is not found and want to resolve it then it is effective to fix your custom post types. In this method, follow an added step. Make sure each of your custom post types has unique titles and slugs. Every title and slug should be different from each other. Only changing titles and slugs is not enough, you must update both.
