Fix: ‘Error 404 Page Not Found’ issue

In this article we will show you how to Fix ‘Error 404 Page Not Found’ issue. There are a lot of 404 mistakes, and if you’re reading this, it’s likely that you’ve seen one before. Most people come across them when they try to go to a website that no longer exists. Your computer is asking a website to show you something, but the website can’t find the right page to show you, so it gives you an error instead. A 404 error is an HTTP status code that means the server couldn’t find the page you were looking for on a website. If you want to know more information about this Visit Official Microsoft Website for further Support.

To be clear, the error means that you can reach the computer, but not the page that has the error. Websites often change the 404 Not Found error messages to fit their needs. So, remember that the error could show up in almost any way you can think of, based on what website it comes from. Almost every website has the chance of giving you a 404 mistake. It’s the best way to tell a user they’re in the wrong place. Even Business Insider has its own 404 pages, which show up when you try to go to a page that doesn’t exist. Here are the many ways to Fix ‘Error 404 Page Not Found’ issue.

What Is Error 404 Page Not Found issue?

Error 404 is a client-side problem that means the server can’t find the URL that was asked for. It could be because the domain is not pointed properly, the.htaccess file is broken, or the file permissions are not set up right. Error 404 means that the computer of a website can’t find the page you’re trying to open. This means that the client, which is your browser, was able to connect to the host, which is the website’s server, but the host couldn’t find the file that was asked for.

Common Causes of Error 404 Page Not Found issue

1. Deleted or Moved Pages: When web pages are deleted or moved without proper redirection, the URLs associated with those pages become invalid. If a user tries to access the old URL, it will result in a 404 error.
2. URL Mistakes: Users may manually type or copy-paste URLs incorrectly, leading to a 404 error. This can happen due to typographical errors, missing or extra characters, or wrong capitalization.
3. Broken or Dead Links: Links present on websites can become broken or dead if the target page is deleted, moved, or renamed. When a user clicks on such a link, it results in a 404 error as the linked page cannot be found.
4. URL Changes without Proper Redirects: If a website undergoes URL structure changes, such as changing the permalink structure or rewriting URLs, and proper redirects (such as 301 redirects) are not implemented, the old URLs will lead to a 404 error.
5. Server or DNS Issues: Sometimes, server misconfigurations or DNS (Domain Name System) issues can prevent the server from properly resolving the requested URL, resulting in a 404 error.
6. Caching and CDN Issues: Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) or caching mechanisms may cache outdated or expired versions of web pages. If a user requests a page that is not cached or has expired in the cache, it can lead to a 404 error.
7. Search Engine Indexing Issues: If a search engine has indexed a page that no longer exists on the website or has a different URL, users who access the indexed page will encounter a 404 error.

How to Identify Error 404 Pages on Your Website

1. Access your website: Open a web browser and visit your website by typing its URL in the address bar.
2. Navigate through your website: Browse through different pages and sections of your website.
3. Check for broken links: Pay attention to any links that appear to be broken or not functioning correctly. These can be links within your website or external links pointing to other websites.
4. Observe the browser’s response: When you encounter a broken link, the browser will display an error page. Look for the specific error code “404” or “Page not found” in the browser’s address bar or on the error page itself.
5. Make note of the URL: Take note of the URL that triggered the 404 error. This will help you locate the specific page or resource that is causing the issue.
6. Analyze the error: Determine the reason behind the error. It could be due to a mistyped URL, a deleted page, a renamed file, or a broken link.
7. Repeat the process: Continue browsing through your website and checking for broken links. Make a list of all the URLs that result in a 404 error.
8. Use website analytics tools: Utilize website analytics tools like Google Analytics or third-party plugins to identify pages that are generating a significant number of 404 errors. These tools can provide detailed reports and insights into the sources of broken links.
9. Fix or redirect the broken links: Once you have identified the Error 404 pages, take appropriate action to resolve the issue. You can either fix the broken link by correcting the URL or restoring the missing page, or you can set up a redirect to a relevant page on your website.
10. Monitor and recheck: Regularly monitor your website and periodically recheck for broken links or Error 404 pages. This will ensure that your website remains user-friendly and free from broken links that can negatively impact the user experience.

SEO Implications of Error 404

Fix: ‘Error 404 Page Not Found’ issue, also called “Page Not Found,” happens when a user tries to get to a web page that doesn’t exist anymore or has been changed. From a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) point of view, Error 404 can affect the website’s exposure and how users feel about it. Here are some things that Error 404 means for SEO:

1. Negative Impact on User Experience
2. Loss of Link Equity
3. Negative Impact on Search Engine Crawling
4. Loss of Organic Traffic
5. Weakened Internal Link Structure:

Best ways to Fix ‘Error 404 Page Not Found’ issue

Identify the Error 404 Pages

1. The first step in fixing the issue is to identify the specific pages on your website that are generating the Error 404.
2. Use website analytics tools or monitor your server logs to track the URLs triggering the error.
3. Make a list of these pages for further analysis.

Check for Broken Links

1. Broken links are a common cause of the Error 404 issue.
2. Conduct a thorough review of your website’s internal and external links.
3. Ensure that all links are accurate, properly formatted, and pointing to the correct destination.
4. Tools like W3C Link Checker can help automate this process and identify broken links.

Update or Correct the URL

1. If the error is due to a mistyped or incorrect URL, the solution is straightforward.
2. Locate the page with the correct content.
3. Update the URL to redirect users to the appropriate page.
4. This step may involve editing your website’s source code or content management system.

Restore or Recreate Deleted Pages

1. If the Error 404 occurs because a page was deleted, consider restoring it from backups if available.
2. Alternatively, recreate the page with similar or relevant content to maintain consistency.
3. Update any internal links pointing to the restored or recreated page.

Implement Redirects

1. When a page is permanently removed or its URL structure is changed, implementing redirects is crucial.
2. Redirect the old URL to a relevant page on your website using HTTP status codes like 301 (permanent redirect) or 302 (temporary redirect).
3. This ensures that users are automatically directed to the correct page without encountering the Error 404.

Customize Error Pages

1. When a page is permanently removed or its URL structure is changed, implementing redirects is crucial.
2. Redirect the old URL to a relevant page on your website using HTTP status codes like 301 (permanent redirect) or 302 (temporary redirect).
3. This ensures that users are automatically directed to the correct page without encountering the Error 404.

Update External Links

1. If the Error 404 is triggered by external links pointing to your website, contact the respective website owners.
2. Request them to update the links.
3. Providing them with the correct URLs ensures a seamless experience for their users as well.

Monitor and Test

1. Regularly monitor your website for new Error 404 occurrences.
2. Implement website monitoring tools or services that can alert you when errors arise.
3. Periodically test your website’s internal and external links.
4. Catch any potential issues before users encounter them.

Questions and Answers