What Is a 404 Not Found Error (and How to Fix It)

Unlike a 500 error, which means the server has a problem, a 404 Not Found error is a client-side error. It means the server is reachable (the site is "UP"), but the specific page or resource you're trying to access doesn't exist at that URL.

What Is a 404 Not Found Error?

A 404 is an HTTP status code indicating that the server could not find the requested resource. This is the "Page Not Found" error you see all over the web. It means the link you clicked is broken, you mistyped the URL, or the page was moved or deleted and not redirected.

Common Causes of 404 Errors

As a site visitor, the cause is simple: the URL is wrong. You can try retyping it or going to the site's homepage to find the page. As a site owner, 404 errors are your responsibility to fix.

1. Mistyped URL

The user simply typed the URL incorrectly. This is out of your control, but a helpful 404 page can guide them back.

2. Broken Links

You have a link on one of your pages that points to another page, but there's a typo in the link itself.

3. Deleted or Moved Content

You deleted a blog post or changed the URL of a page but forgot to set up a redirect. Now, any old links pointing to the original URL are broken.

How to Fix 404 Errors on Your Site

1. Set Up 301 Redirects (The Right Fix)

You need to redirect the old, dead links. A 301 redirect permanently "forwards" an old, broken URL to a new, working one. This tells both users and search engines where the content has moved, passing along any SEO value.