How to Fix WordPress Posts Returning 404 Error By BloggingMentor

WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems used to create and publish websites. It’s a versatile platform that offers plenty of features, plugins, and themes to customize your website. However, sometimes things can go wrong, and you may encounter a WordPress 404 error when accessing your posts.

The 404 error is an HTTP status code that indicates that the requested URL cannot be found on the server. This error message can be frustrating, but don’t worry; there are several ways to fix WordPress posts returning a 404 error. In this article, we’ll discuss the common causes of this error and how to fix it.

Common Causes of WordPress Posts Returning a 404 Error

1. Permalink Issues

The most common cause of the WordPress 404 error is incorrect or broken permalinks. Permalinks are the URLs that are used to link to your content. If your permalinks are not set up correctly or are broken, WordPress will not be able to find the posts, and you’ll see a 404 error.

2. Corrupted .htaccess File

The .htaccess file is a configuration file used by the Apache web server to control various aspects of your website, including permalinks. If this file is corrupted or contains incorrect code, it can cause your WordPress posts to return a 404 error.

3. Plugin or Theme Conflict

Sometimes, a plugin or theme may conflict with WordPress, causing the 404 error. This can happen if a plugin or theme modifies the WordPress rewrite rules, which are responsible for generating permalinks.

4. Incorrect WordPress Site URL or Home URL

If you have recently changed the WordPress site URL or home URL, you may encounter a 404 error. This can happen if the new URL is not properly configured or if there are issues with your website’s DNS settings.

How to Fix WordPress Posts Returning a 404 Error

Now that you know the common causes of the WordPress 404 error, let’s look at how to fix it.

1. Check Your Permalinks

The first step is to check your permalinks settings. To do this, go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard. Make sure that the option you have chosen is what you want and that it’s formatted correctly. If you’ve recently changed your permalinks, make sure to save the changes and check if the 404 error persists.

2. Regenerate Your .htaccess File

If your .htaccess file is corrupted or contains incorrect code, you can regenerate it by going to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Save Changes” button. This will regenerate your .htaccess file, which should fix any issues with permalinks.

3. Disable Your Plugins and Themes

If you suspect that a plugin or theme is causing the 404 error, you can disable them to see if the issue is resolved. To disable a plugin, go to Plugins > Installed Plugins in your WordPress dashboard, and click the “Deactivate” button next to the plugin you want to disable. To disable a theme, go to Appearance > Themes, and click the “Activate” button on a different theme. Then, try accessing your posts to see if the 404 error is resolved.

4. Check Your Site URL and Home URL

If you’ve recently changed your WordPress site URL or home URL, make sure to check if it’s set up correctly. To do this, go to Settings > General in your WordPress dashboard, and check if the URLs are correct. If not, correct them and save the changes.

Conclusion

The WordPress 404 error can be frustrating, but it’s usually easy to fix. By following the steps above, you should be able to resolve the issue.