What Is a 404 Error and How to Fix It on Your Website

If you have ever clicked a link and been greeted with a page that says “404 Not Found,” you are certainly not alone. This is one of the most common issues that website owners and visitors encounter online. Whether you are running a small business website or a large e-commerce platform, understanding the 404 error web hosting relationship is essential for maintaining a healthy, user-friendly site. In this guide, we will explain exactly what a 404 error is, why it happens, and — most importantly — how to fix it.

What Is a 404 Error?

A 404 error is an HTTP status code that indicates a server could not find the page a user was trying to access. In plain terms, it means the requested page does not exist at the given URL. The server is up and running, but the specific resource the visitor is looking for simply cannot be located.

The “404” is part of the HTTP response status code system. Codes in the 400 range indicate client-side errors, meaning something went wrong with the request being made. A 404 specifically tells both the browser and the user that the page is missing from the server.

Common Variations of the 404 Error Message

Depending on the web server, browser, or content management system being used, you might see the 404 error displayed in various ways, including:

• 404 Not Found
• Error 404
• HTTP 404
• Page Not Found
• The requested URL was not found on this server
• 404 File or Directory Not Found

Regardless of how it is worded, they all point to the same underlying problem — the requested page cannot be found.

Why Do 404 Errors Occur?

Understanding why 404 errors happen is the first step towards fixing them. There are several common causes, and many of them are entirely avoidable with a little care and attention.

Deleted or Moved Pages

One of the most frequent causes of a 404 error is when a page has been deleted or moved to a new URL without setting up a proper redirect. If someone has bookmarked the old URL or another website is linking to it, they will be met with a 404 error when they try to visit.

Mistyped URLs

Sometimes the error is simply the result of a typo. A user might manually type a URL incorrectly, or a webmaster might create an internal link with a spelling mistake. Either way, the server cannot find the page because the URL does not match anything in its directory.

Broken Internal and External Links

Links that once pointed to valid pages can become broken over time, particularly if the structure of your website changes. External websites linking to your content may also create 404 errors if you have moved or renamed pages without redirecting the old URLs.

Domain or Hosting Configuration Issues

In some cases, 404 errors can be related to your 404 error web hosting configuration. If your domain is not correctly pointed to your hosting server, or if there are issues with your server’s file directory, pages may become inaccessible. This is particularly common after migrating a website to a new host or changing domain settings.

Incorrect File Permissions

Web servers require specific file permissions to access and serve content. If the permissions on a file or folder are set incorrectly, the server may return a 404 error rather than displaying the page, even if the file physically exists on the server.

Why 404 Errors Are Bad for Your Website

Beyond being frustrating for visitors, 404 errors can have a real negative impact on your website’s performance and reputation.

Poor User Experience

When a visitor lands on a 404 page, they are likely to leave your site immediately. This increases your bounce rate and reduces the chances of converting visitors into customers or subscribers. A seamless browsing experience is crucial for retaining your audience.

Negative Impact on SEO

Search engines like Google crawl your website regularly. If they encounter multiple 404 errors, it signals that your site is poorly maintained. While a single 404 error is unlikely to tank your rankings, a pattern of broken links and missing pages can negatively affect your overall SEO performance and reduce your site’s authority over time.

Lost Backlink Value

If other websites are linking to pages on your site that now return 404 errors, you are losing valuable backlink equity. Those links, which could be passing authority to your domain, are effectively wasted until you fix the issue.

How to Fix 404 Errors on Your Website

The good news is that 404 errors are almost always fixable. Here are the most effective methods for resolving them.

Set Up 301 Redirects

A 301 redirect permanently redirects visitors (and search engines) from an old URL to a new one. This is the most recommended solution when you have moved or renamed a page. You can set up 301 redirects through your .htaccess file on Apache servers, through your hosting control panel, or via a plugin if you are using WordPress. This ensures that anyone visiting the old URL is automatically sent to the correct page without encountering an error.

Restore Deleted Pages

If a page was deleted by mistake, the simplest fix is to restore it. Check your content management system’s trash or revision history to see if the content can be recovered.

Fix Broken Links

Use tools such as Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, or Ahrefs to identify broken links across your website. Once you have a list, update the links to point to the correct URLs or remove them entirely if the content no longer exists.

Create a Custom 404 Page

While this does not technically fix the error, creating a custom 404 page significantly improves the user experience. A well-designed 404 page should include a helpful message, a search bar, links to popular pages, and a clear call to action to keep visitors engaged rather than sending them away.

Check Your Hosting Configuration

If you are experiencing widespread 404 errors that seem unrelated to specific pages, the issue may lie with your hosting setup. Review your domain’s DNS settings, check that your website files are in the correct directory, and verify your server’s configuration. For more in-depth guidance on managing your hosting environment, visit the DA Manager Blog for helpful resources and tutorials.

Correct File Permissions

If incorrect file permissions are causing 404 errors, you will need to access your server via FTP or your hosting control panel and update the permissions. Typically, files should be set to 644 and directories to 755, though this can vary depending on your server configuration.

How to Monitor for 404 Errors Regularly

Fixing 404 errors is not a one-time task. As your website grows and evolves, new errors can appear. Setting up regular monitoring is the best way to stay on top of the issue.

Google Search Console provides a free and reliable way to track crawl errors, including 404s. You can also set up automated alerts using third-party SEO tools that notify you whenever a new broken link is detected. Making this part of your routine website maintenance will keep your site running smoothly and protect your search engine rankings.

Final Thoughts

A 404 error is a common but manageable issue that every website owner will encounter at some point. By understanding what causes these errors and taking proactive steps to fix them, you can protect your user experience, maintain your SEO rankings, and ensure your website runs at its best. Whether the problem stems from a deleted page, a mistyped URL, or a 404 error web hosting configuration issue, the solutions are straightforward when you know where to look. Make regular audits and monitoring a part of your website management routine, and you will be well-equipped to keep 404 errors firmly under control.