Understanding the 404 Error: Causes and Solutions for Your Website

Imagine clicking on a link, expecting the desired content, and then getting a 404 Not Found error on the screen. This experience can frustrate both businesses and users since it results in lost traffic, poor customer experience, and inferior search rankings.

Research shows that 73.72% will abandon a website after discovering a 404 error. Google also penalises websites for having high 404 errors and lessens their site visibility in the search results.

Although 404 errors are inevitable, businesses must address them in advance. This guide will help you understand the meaning, types, and causes of the 404 not found error and solutions to efficiently handle them.

Understanding 404 Not Found Error

404 is an HTTP status code that reflects that a webpage no longer exists or was permanently relocated without a redirect. When users repeatedly hit 404 Not Found pages, they start considering the site unreliable and prefer to interact less with it.

Correcting errors ahead of time assists in delivering a frustration-free browsing experience.

Types of 404 Errors

Let us understand the different types of 404 Not Found errors:

1. Hard 404 – The server states that the page is missing. This takes place when pages are deleted and not redirected.
2. Soft 404 – The server mistakenly returns a 200 OK response for a page that cannot be accessed, confusing search engines and wasting crawl budgets.
3. Server-Side 404 – This error is displayed because of misconfigurations in the server, deleted resources, or failed redirects. In this case, you must try restoring resources or configuring the server.
4. Client-Side 404 – This occurs when a user types in the wrong URL or clicks on an old link. A quick search or URL check can fix it.

Troubleshooting that Can Resolve 404 Not Found Error

Here are some quick actions to take:

1. Check for Typo or Format Errors in URL: A minute spelling mistake or format error can make the link inaccessible.
2. Reload the Page: There could be a temporary glitch. Try Ctrl+R for Windows and Cmd+R for Mac to refresh.
3. Search for the Content: If the URL has been changed, a quick Google search may find the right page accurately.
4. Try Another Device or Network: Try clearing your cookies and cache to fix it, and check if the page shows elsewhere using incognito mode.
5. Contact the Website Admin: When everything else fails, reach out through the Contact Us page or support.

Common Causes Behind 404 Not Found Errors

Here are some reasons why the 404 error occurs despite the server being fine:

1. The URL Doesn’t Exist: The page might have been deleted, or the URL was incorrect.
2. Outdated Cache: Your browser might be loading an older version of the page that no longer exists. Clearing the cache can solve this.
3. Missing Page Assets: If critical files like images or scripts are absent, the page will fail to load.
4. Moved or Deleted Pages: If a page is relocated without a redirect, users will be stuck in a dead end.
5. Server Misconfiguration: Inappropriate or error-prone hosting, file permission, or database problems can block access.
6. DNS Errors: Misconfigured domain settings can direct users to a non-existent page.
7. Broken Links: External sites that link to a removed page can send visitors straight to a 404 error.
8. Restricted Access: Some pages are region-locked or require login credentials.

Fixing the ‘404 Not Found’ Error: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s an easy process to identify and fix ‘404 Not Found’ errors efficiently.

Step 1 – Create a Custom 404 Page

The generic ‘Page Not Found’ message can irritate your visitors. Instead, build a custom 404 page with a friendly description of the issue. Here are some tips:

• Add a call to action to other informational pages.
• Add a little humour to the customer page so users don’t get agitated looking at the 404 error page; instead, they pass it off with a little laugh. Check out how brands like Airbnb and Lego use interactive images to pacify visitors.
• Instead of leaving your users stranded, offer them a homepage button, suggest related pages, and include a search bar. This will help them find what they are looking for quickly.

Step 2 – Clear Cache & Cookies

Sometimes the problem could be with the browser, and not the website. Your browser’s older cached pages might cause issues.

How to Fix It:

• You must clear cache and cookies.
• Try loading the page in incognito mode.
• Use a different browser or device to verify if the page loads elsewhere.

Step 3 – Check Domain & DNS Settings

If multiple pages return 404 errors, the issue might be DNS misconfiguration.

How to Fix It:

• Verify your domain is pointing to the correct IP.
• Use tools like Google’s DNS Checker or WhatsMyDNS.
• If you’ve switched hosting, wait up to 48 hours for DNS propagation.

Step 4 – Fix Soft 404 Errors

A soft 404 error occurs when a non-functional page accidentally receives a 200 OK response instead of a genuine 404 error. This can confuse Google’s indexing.

How to Fix It:

• Ensure that the inoperative pages send out a proper 404 or 410 status.
• Use a 301 redirect to send users to an operational page.

Step 5 – Redirect Broken URLs

If a page is no longer accessible, don’t leave your audience stranded. Send them to content that’s associated. Here’s how:

• Use permanent 301 redirects instead of temporary 302 redirects.
• Implement redirects using .htaccess files or WordPress plugins.
• Use tools like Yoast SEO to manage redirects.

Step 6 – Fix File Permissions to Grant Access

Incorrect file permissions may restrict users from viewing pages, especially on websites like WordPress. You must try these steps:

• Verify permissions in your hosting control panel or through FTP.
• Assign proper values, for instance, 755 for directories, 644 for files, etc.
• Make sure your robots.txt file is not blocking pages.

Step 7 – Fix Broken Internal & External Links

Broken links frustrate users and hurt SEO. Make sure to test for broken links on your website periodically. Regularly check external links to prevent linking to non-existent pages.

Step 8 – Disable the .htaccess File (If Necessary)

A misconfigured .htaccess file can block web pages, causing endless 404 errors.

How to Fix It:

• Locate .htaccess in the root directory of your site
• Rename it, for example, .htaccess_lost, and refresh the site
• If the issue is resolved, create a new .htaccess file with proper configurations

Step 9 – Restore a Website Backup

In the event that multiple 404 errors show up simultaneously, a server crash, plugin interaction, or update failure may be the cause of it.

How to Fix It:

• Confirm if your host company does automated backups.
• Restore an earlier working copy of your website.
• Use backup plugins for future protection.

Conclusion

404 not found errors are inevitable, unpredictable, and unavoidable. However, proper management can decrease their impact on user experience and search engine ranking. Understand what causes them, regularly monitor broken links, and employ diligent redirection strategies for a seamless website experience.

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