How to Fix Error 404 Not Found – Complete Guide + Solution
The Error 404 Not Found is one of the most common HTTP errors on the internet. It appears when a browser cannot find the requested page on a server. Whether you’re a website visitor or a site owner, a 404 error can be frustrating.
In this complete Guide + Solution, you’ll learn How to Fix Error 404 Not Found using a clear Step-by-Step Tutorial, including user-side fixes and server-side solutions.
🔍 What Does Error 404 Not Found Mean?
A 404 error means:
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The page was deleted
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The URL was changed
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The link is broken
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The domain is misconfigured
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The server configuration has issues
When your browser sends a request, the server responds with an HTTP status code. In this case, it returns 404, meaning “resource not found.”
🛠️ How to Fix Error 404 Not Found (Step-by-Step)
✅ If You Are a Visitor (Quick Fix)
1️⃣ Refresh the Page
Press Ctrl + F5 to force reload.
2️⃣ Check the URL
Make sure there are no typos in the address bar.
3️⃣ Clear Browser Cache
In browsers like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox:
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Open Settings
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Clear browsing data
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Restart browser
4️⃣ Flush DNS
Open Command Prompt:
ipconfig /flushdns
This fixes DNS resolution issues.
🖥️ If You Are a Website Owner (Server-Side Solution)
✅ Step 1: Check File Path
Ensure the requested file exists in the correct directory.
Example:
If URL is:
example.com/blog/article
Make sure the file exists in:
/public_html/blog/
✅ Step 2: Check .htaccess File (Important Fix)
If you’re using Apache server, corrupted .htaccess can cause 404 errors.
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Rename
.htaccessto.htaccess_old -
Generate a new one
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Test again
✅ Step 3: Fix Permalinks (WordPress)
If your website uses WordPress:
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Go to Dashboard
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Settings → Permalinks
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Click “Save Changes”
This refreshes rewrite rules.
✅ Step 4: Check Server Configuration
If hosted on Bluehost or Hostinger:
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Verify domain DNS settings
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Check if SSL is properly configured
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Confirm file permissions (755 folders / 644 files)
✅ Step 5: Redirect Deleted Pages (Best SEO Fix)
If you deleted a page, create a 301 redirect.
Example in .htaccess:
Redirect 301 /old-page https://example.com/new-page
This prevents SEO ranking loss.
🚨 Common Problem + Fix Table
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Typo in URL | Correct address |
| Deleted page | Create redirect |
| Broken permalink | Reset permalinks |
| DNS issue | Flush DNS |
| Corrupted .htaccess | Regenerate file |
📈 SEO Impact of 404 Errors
Too many 404 pages can:
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Reduce search ranking
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Increase bounce rate
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Harm user experience
Search engines like Google may lower your site ranking if broken links are not fixed.
🎯 Final Solution Summary
The Error 404 Not Found is usually easy to fix. Whether you’re a visitor or a website owner, following this Step-by-Step Guide + Tutorial will help you solve the problem quickly and protect your SEO performance.
