How to solved 404 error for wordpress website

A 404 error in WordPress usually means the page exists, but WordPress can’t find the correct URL path. Don’t worry—this is super common and fixable 👍
Here’s a step-by-step guide (perfect for beginners and pros).

🔴 What is a 404 Error in WordPress?

A 404 Page Not Found error appears when:

• A post/page URL is broken
• Permalinks are not configured correctly
• .htaccess file is missing or corrupted
• A plugin or theme caused a conflict

✅ Method 1: Reset Permalinks (MOST EFFECTIVE)

This fixes 80% of WordPress 404 issues.

Steps:

1. Login to WordPress Admin
2. Go to Settings → Permalinks
3. Click Save Changes (don’t change anything)

✔️ This refreshes WordPress rewrite rules.

✅ Method 2: Fix .htaccess File

If permalinks don’t work, your .htaccess may be broken.

Default WordPress .htaccess Code:

# BEGIN WordPress
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
# END WordPress

Steps:

1. Open File Manager (cPanel / Hosting)
2. Go to /public_html/
3. Edit or create .htaccess
4. Paste the code above
5. Save and test your site

✅ Method 3: Disable Plugins

A plugin can break URLs.

Steps:

1. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins
2. Deactivate all plugins
3. Check your site
4. Reactivate plugins one by one to find the culprit

⚠️ Common troublemakers: Cache, Security, SEO plugins

✅ Method 4: Switch Theme Temporarily

Your theme might be the issue.

Steps:

1. Go to Appearance → Themes
2. Activate a default theme (Twenty Twenty-Four)
3. Check URLs again

If it works → your theme needs fixing.

✅ Method 5: Fix WordPress Address & Site Address

Wrong URL = instant 404.

Check:

Go to Settings → General

Both should match:

https://yourdomain.com

❌ Don’t mix:

• http vs https
• www vs non-www

✅ Method 6: Re-upload Core WordPress Files

If core files are damaged.

Steps:

1. Download fresh WordPress from wordpress.org
2. Upload these folders via FTP:
   • /wp-admin
   • /wp-includes
3. Do NOT delete wp-content

✅ Method 7: Check File & Folder Permissions

Wrong permissions can block pages.

Recommended:

• Folders: 755
• Files: 644

🔍 Special Case: 404 Only on Posts (But Admin Works)

This almost always means rewrite rules issue →
✔️ Just reset permalinks again.

🧠 Pro Tips (SEO Friendly)

• Set up 301 redirects for deleted URLs
• Use Rank Math or Yoast SEO
• Submit sitemap in Google Search Console