Error 404 Not Found: how to fix it

What this error means

The 404 Not Found error means that the requested page could not be found.

It may happen because the URL never existed, because the content was removed or because the page changed address without a redirect.

The server is working, but it cannot find the resource that the visitor is trying to open.

Why it happens

The most common causes are:

1. The page was deleted.
2. The URL changed after editing the slug or permalink structure.
3. The link is misspelled.
4. The file does not exist in the hosting account.
5. The website was migrated and some files or paths are missing.
6. Redirects are not configured.
7. In WordPress, permalinks need to be regenerated.

How to fix it

1. Check whether the URL is written correctly

Review uppercase and lowercase letters, hyphens, trailing slashes and typos.

It is not the same to request:

/contact

as:

/contact-us

If the link appears in a menu, button or internal page, correct it inside the CMS.

2. Verify whether the content exists

If you manage the website, log in to WordPress, PrestaShop or another CMS and check whether the page, product, post or category is still published.

If it was moved to the trash or saved as draft, publish it again or create a redirect.

3. Create the content if the URL should exist

If that URL is supposed to display information, create the corresponding page. Once the server has valid content for that address, the 404 error will disappear.

4. Create a 301 redirect if the URL changed

If the content still exists but now lives at another URL, create a 301 redirect from the old URL to the new one.

This helps visitors and also preserves search visibility more effectively.

5. Regenerate WordPress permalinks

If many pages return 404 after a migration or structure change:

1. Log in to WordPress.
2. Go to Settings > Permalinks.
3. Click Save Changes without modifying anything.
4. Test the URLs again.

This regenerates the internal rewrite rules in .htaccess.

6. Review the .htaccess file

If friendly URLs do not work, the problem may be in .htaccess.

A basic WordPress .htaccess file includes rewrite rules that send URLs to index.php.

If the file is missing, damaged or does not have the correct permissions, 404 errors may appear.

7. Look for broken links

Review internal links to avoid sending visitors to pages that no longer exist.

You can use link-checking tools or the report provided by your CMS if it has one.

About 404 errors and SEO

Having a few isolated 404 errors is normal, especially on large websites. The real problem begins when there are many broken internal links or important pages without redirects.

Good practices:

• Redirect deleted pages when there is a replacement.
• Do not redirect everything to the home page without a clear reason.
• Fix broken internal links.
• Keep a custom 404 page that helps the user continue browsing.
• Review 404 errors after migrations or structural changes.

Conclusion

The 404 Not Found error means that the requested URL does not exist or is no longer available. To fix it, verify the URL, create the content if needed or configure a 301 redirect if the page changed address.

If the error appeared after a migration or affects many pages, review permalinks, .htaccess and website files.