A WordPress 404 error-or what users normally refer to as the "Page Not Found" error-is the most irritating experience for website visitors. This error simply denotes that the page does not exist any more, which results in a loss of organic traffic and, more disconcerting, a decline in user trust. Common causes of 404 errors in WordPress are being discussed here, along with their solution.

What Causes 404 Errors in WordPress?

The most common causes of 404 errors in WordPress involve changes to URLs, broken links, or problems with the permalink structure. Here are some typical causes of these errors:

• URL Change: Changing page or post URLs without updating internal links will create 404 errors.
• Broken Links: When pages are deleted or a particular URL is wrong, this type of error usually occurs.
• Permalink Structure Issues: WordPress has a permalink structure to set up the format of the URLs. If it's set wrong, or the structure is outdated, it will create 404 Error problems on many pages.
• Server/Hosting Issues: Often, a problem in the configuration within the server end can be responsible for loading up a 404 page instead of opening the pages. 

Knowing the very root of these errors will help you more appropriately apply the right solution to the problem at hand make sure your potential customers browse smoothly and also improve Google Search rankings.

Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix 404 Errors in WordPress

1. Reset Permalinks in WordPress

The permalink structure in WordPress defines the format of URLs for pages and posts. When the structure is not set up correctly, or if you’ve made recent changes, resetting it can often resolve 404 errors.

How to Reset Permalinks

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Settings > Permalinks.
3. Choose your preferred permalink structure (e.g., “Post Name” for optimized URLs).
4. Click Save Changes.

This action refreshes the permalink settings and often resolves 404 errors that result from incorrect URL formats. Properly formatted URLs help with search engine optimization, increasing your site’s visibility on popular search engines like Google.

2. Check and Update Broken Links

404 errors can result from broken links on your site. For blog owners and business owners, checking for and fixing these links is crucial to maintaining user experience and search performance.

Tools for Detecting Broken Links

Use SEO tools or plugins like Broken Link Checker to identify any broken links on your site. Once identified, you can either update or remove these links to prevent 404 errors.

Updating broken links ensures visitors are directed to relevant, active pages, which improves their user intent and search intent experience. Additionally, it reduces bounce rates, contributing to better organic rankings.

3. Redirect Deleted or Moved Pages

When you delete or move a page, create a redirect to prevent users from encountering 404 errors. Redirects ensure users land on relevant content, keeping them engaged on your site.

Setting Up Redirects

• Install and activate a redirect plugin such as Redirection.
• Set up a 301 redirect for each deleted or moved page, pointing it to a related live page.

Redirects retain link-building benefits and help with SEO rankings by redirecting traffic to valuable content rather than losing visitors to a 404 error page. Proper use of redirects also signals Google Search Console that your site is structured effectively for user search intent.

4. Clear Your Cache and Update .htaccess File

A corrupt .htaccess file or outdated cache can sometimes cause 404 errors on WordPress sites. Clearing the cache and resetting the .htaccess file can resolve these issues.

Steps to Clear Cache and Update .htaccess

1. Clear your website cache using your caching plugin (if installed).
2. Access the .htaccess file through your hosting provider or FTP.
3. Temporarily rename the .htaccess file, then navigate to Settings > Permalinks and click Save Changes to generate a new .htaccess file.

This process can fix URL-related errors, enhancing your site’s mobile user experience and load times.

5. Monitor Google Search Console for Crawl Errors

Google Search Console is a valuable tool for monitoring and fixing 404 errors. It provides insights into crawl errors, showing you which URLs return 404 errors and how to fix them.

Using Google Search Console to Resolve Crawl Errors

• Log in to Google Search Console.
• Go to the Coverage report and identify pages with 404 errors.
• Request indexing after updating or redirecting these pages.

Regularly checking Google Search Console helps you maintain an error-free website, supporting higher search rankings and increased online presence.

6. Contact Hosting Support if Issues Persist

If none of the above solutions resolve the 404 errors, reach out to your hosting provider. Hosting providers like Dotsden offer support for troubleshooting server configuration and internal server error issues.

Dotsden’s Role in Fixing Server-Related Errors

With a range of hosting services, Dotsden ensures reliable support for website errors. The team can assist with configurations related to SSL, permalink structures, and server setups, providing reliable hosting and increased visibility for your site.

Enhancing User Experience and SEO with a 404 Error-Free Website

A website free from 404 errors delivers a seamless experience to users and positively impacts SEO. By keeping pages accessible, updating links, and monitoring with Google Search Console, you can strengthen your site’s online visibility. For additional support, Dotsden provides a suite of services to help maintain site reliability and ensure happy customers keep returning.