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

If you have ever browsed the internet and stumbled upon a page that simply says “Page Not Found,” you have encountered a 404 error. For website owners and developers, understanding the 404 error web hosting implications is absolutely essential. Not only can these errors frustrate your visitors, but they can also damage your search engine rankings and ultimately harm your online reputation. In this guide, we will explain exactly what a 404 error is, why it happens, and — most importantly — how to fix it on your website.

What Is a 404 Error?

A 404 error is an HTTP status code that indicates a web server could not find the page a user was trying to access. When a visitor types in a URL or clicks a link, their browser sends a request to the web server. If the server cannot locate the requested resource, it returns a 404 status code, and the browser displays a “404 Not Found” message to the user.

The “404” is part of the broader family of HTTP status codes. These codes are grouped by their first digit — codes beginning with “4” indicate client-side errors, meaning the issue typically lies with the URL being requested rather than with the server itself. The full designation is often written as “HTTP 404” or “Error 404,” though you may also see variations such as “404 Not Found” or “Page Not Found” depending on how a website has customised its error page.

Why Do 404 Errors Occur?

There are several common reasons why a 404 error might appear on your website. Understanding the root cause is the first step towards fixing the problem effectively.

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 different URL without setting up a proper redirect. If you restructure your website or remove outdated content without updating your internal links or creating redirects, visitors and search engines will be directed to URLs that no longer exist.

Mistyped URLs

Sometimes the error is caused by a simple typo. A visitor might manually type in a URL incorrectly, or a link on an external website might point to a misspelt address. In these cases, the server cannot match the request to any existing page.

Broken Internal or External Links

Links that once pointed to valid pages can become broken over time, particularly if you have redesigned your website, changed your URL structure, or removed content. External websites that link to your pages can also cause 404 errors if those links are outdated.

Domain or Hosting Configuration Issues

In some cases, 404 errors can be linked to 404 error web hosting configuration problems. If your hosting environment is not correctly set up, or if domain settings have changed, legitimate pages may temporarily return 404 errors even though the content still exists on the server.

Why 404 Errors Matter for Your Website

You might wonder whether a few 404 errors are really worth worrying about. The short answer is yes — they matter quite a lot.

Impact on User Experience

When a visitor lands on a 404 page, their journey through your website comes to an abrupt halt. This creates a poor user experience and increases your bounce rate, as frustrated visitors are likely to leave your site entirely rather than search for the content they were looking for.

Impact on SEO

Search engines like Google crawl your website regularly. When their bots encounter multiple 404 errors, it signals that your site is poorly maintained. Over time, this can negatively affect your search engine rankings. Pages that once had valuable backlinks pointing to them will lose that link equity if those URLs return a 404 status, which is a significant loss from an SEO perspective.

Impact on Credibility

A website riddled with broken links and missing pages appears unprofessional and untrustworthy. For businesses relying on their website to attract and retain customers, this can have a direct impact on conversions and revenue.

How to Find 404 Errors on Your Website

Before you can fix 404 errors, you need to identify them. Fortunately, there are several tools available to help you locate broken links and missing pages.

Google Search Console

Google Search Console is one of the most reliable free tools for identifying 404 errors. Under the “Coverage” or “Pages” report, you can see which URLs on your site are returning errors. This gives you a clear list of pages that need attention.

Website Crawling Tools

Tools such as Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, or SEMrush can crawl your entire website and flag any URLs that return a 404 status. These tools are particularly useful for larger websites with hundreds or thousands of pages.

Web Hosting Control Panels

Many web hosting providers include access logs within their control panels. By reviewing these logs, you can identify which URLs are generating 404 errors and how frequently they are being accessed. This is an often-overlooked but very practical approach to managing 404 error web hosting issues at the server level.

How to Fix 404 Errors on Your Website

Once you have identified the problematic URLs, you can take steps to resolve them. The appropriate fix will depend on the nature of the error.

Set Up 301 Redirects

If a page has been moved or renamed, the best solution is to implement a 301 redirect. This permanently redirects visitors and search engines from the old URL to the new one, preserving link equity and ensuring a seamless user experience. You can set up 301 redirects via your .htaccess file (for Apache servers), your hosting control panel, or through a plugin if you are using a content management system like WordPress.

Restore Deleted Pages

If a page was accidentally deleted and it still has value, consider restoring it. Check your CMS trash folder or ask your hosting provider about backup restoration options. Many web hosts offer automated daily backups, which can be a lifesaver in these situations.

Update Internal Links

Go through your website and update any internal links that point to non-existent pages. Keeping your internal link structure clean and accurate is a fundamental part of good website maintenance.

Create a Custom 404 Page

While a custom 404 page does not technically fix the error, it does significantly improve the user experience when someone does land on a missing page. A well-designed 404 page should include a friendly message, a search bar, and links to popular pages on your site, helping visitors find what they need rather than simply leaving.

Contact External Website Owners

If high-value external websites are linking to broken URLs on your site, consider reaching out to them and requesting that they update the link. Alternatively, set up a redirect from the broken URL to the most relevant existing page.

Preventing 404 Errors in the Future

Prevention is always better than cure. By adopting a few best practices, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of 404 errors appearing on your website.

Always set up redirects before deleting or moving pages. Conduct regular website audits using crawling tools to catch broken links early. Keep your URL structure consistent and avoid unnecessary changes. If you are migrating your website to a new domain or restructuring your content, plan your redirect strategy carefully in advance.

For more helpful advice on managing your website effectively, visit the DA Manager blog, where you will find a wealth of resources on web hosting, SEO, and digital marketing.

Final Thoughts

A 404 error might seem like a minor inconvenience, but left unaddressed, it can have a meaningful impact on your website’s performance, user experience, and search engine visibility. By understanding the causes of 404 errors, using the right tools to identify them, and applying the appropriate fixes — whether that is a 301 redirect, a restored page, or a custom error page — you can keep your website running smoothly and professionally.

Managing 404 error web hosting issues is an ongoing responsibility rather than a one-time task. Make website audits a regular part of your maintenance routine, and you will be well positioned to catch and resolve errors before they cause lasting damage to your online presence.

This article was originally published in 16 June 2026. It was most recently updated in June 16, 2026 by isaiah