Introduction
A 404 Error occurs when WordPress cannot find the page a visitor is trying to access.
Common symptoms include:
- Page Not Found errors
- Links that previously worked no longer working
- Blog posts returning 404 errors
- Pages displaying correctly in WordPress but not on the website
In many cases, the issue is caused by permalink settings or website configuration problems.
This guide explains how to resolve common permalink and 404 error issues.
What Are Permalinks?
Permalinks are the permanent URLs used by WordPress pages and posts.
Example:
https://yourdomain.co.za/about-us/
Permalinks help create clean, readable and SEO-friendly website addresses.
Step 1 – Verify the Page Exists
Log into WordPress.
Open your browser and visit: https://yourdomain.co.za/wp-admin (Replace yourdomain.co.za with your own domain name.)
Enter your WordPress username and password.
Click: Log In
Check Pages
Click: Pages
Then click: All Pages
Verify that the page still exists.
Check Posts
Click: Posts
Then click: All Posts
Verify that the post still exists.
Step 2 – Refresh Permalink Settings
This resolves many permalink-related problems.
From the WordPress Dashboard
Click: Settings
Then click: Permalinks
Review the current permalink structure.
Click: Save Changes
Even if no changes are made, WordPress will rebuild the permalink configuration.
Step 3 – Test the Website
Visit the affected page.
Refresh the browser.
Check whether the page now loads correctly.
Step 4 – Verify the Page URL
Edit the affected page or post.
Locate: Permalink
Verify that the URL matches the address being used.
Example:
https://yourdomain.co.za/services/
If the URL has changed, old links may no longer work.
Step 5 – Check Recently Installed Plugins
If the problem started recently:
Click: Plugins
Then click: Installed Plugins
Review recently installed or updated plugins.
Security, redirect and SEO plugins can sometimes affect URL behaviour.
Temporarily deactivate recently updated plugins and test again.
Step 6 – Check Redirect Settings
Some plugins create redirects automatically.
Review:
- Redirect plugins
- SEO plugins
- Security plugins
Incorrect redirects can lead to 404 errors.
Step 7 – Check for Deleted Content
If a page was deleted:
Click: Pages
Then click: Trash
Locate the deleted page.
Click: Restore
The page will become available again.
Common Causes
Permalink Settings Corrupted
WordPress occasionally loses permalink configuration after updates or migrations.
Saving the permalink settings often resolves the issue.
Page Was Deleted
The page may have been removed accidentally.
Check the Trash before restoring backups.
URL Changed
Changing a page slug can break existing links.
Example:
Original URL: /services/
New URL: /our-services/
Old links may return 404 errors.
Plugin Conflicts
Redirect, SEO and security plugins occasionally interfere with URL handling.
Failed Website Migration
Website migrations can sometimes result in permalink configuration issues.
Best Practices
To avoid permalink problems:
- Use SEO-friendly URLs.
- Avoid changing page URLs unnecessarily.
- Test links after updates.
- Create backups before major changes.
- Review redirects regularly.
Related Articles
- How to Use SEO-Friendly URLs in WordPress
- How to Fix Common SEO Problems in WordPress
- How to Recover a Deleted Page or Post in WordPress
When to Contact Support
Contact support if:
- Saving permalinks does not resolve the issue.
- Multiple pages return 404 errors.
- The problem started after a migration.
- The website contains widespread broken links.
Provide:
- The affected URL
- Screenshots of the error
- Details of recent changes
Conclusion
Most WordPress 404 errors are caused by permalink configuration issues, deleted content or URL changes.
Refreshing permalink settings is often enough to resolve the problem and restore access to affected pages.
