Fix błąd 404 WordPress Errors: Causes, Fixes, and Prevention

If you manage a WordPress website, you’ve probably seen a błąd 404 WordPress at least once — a page that simply won’t load and instead shows an error message like “404 Not Found”. Whether you’re running a personal blog, an online store, or a business site, understanding what this error means and knowing how to fix it is crucial for user experience and search engine optimization.

In this guide, we’ll explain what a 404 error is, why it happens, common causes, simple fixes you can try right away, and tips to prevent these errors in the future.

What Is błąd 404 WordPress?

A błąd 404 WordPress — “404 Not Found” error — is an HTTP status code that means the page requested by a visitor can’t be found on the server. It’s your WordPress site’s way of saying, “We couldn’t find what you were looking for.”

This might happen when:

• A visitor types a URL incorrectly.
• A link on your site points to missing content.
• You moved or deleted a page.
• Your site’s permalinks (the URL structure) are broken.
• The server can’t correctly interpret the URL.

A 404 error doesn’t usually break your entire site, but if ignored it can hurt your SEO rankings and frustrate users who expected to find something useful.

Why Fixing błąd 404 WordPress Matters

Many WordPress sites accumulate 404 errors over time — even small sites might get hundreds of broken links each month because of typos, outdated links, or removed content.

Here’s why you should care:

1. User Experience: Visitors who land on broken pages are more likely to leave and go to a competitor.
2. SEO Impact: Search engines like Google may lower your rankings if they encounter many broken pages or wasted link value.
3. Traffic & Revenue Loss: Especially for eCommerce sites, missing pages can interrupt customer journeys and sales.

Common Causes of błąd 404 WordPress

Before fixing the error, it helps to understand why it’s happening. Here are the most frequent causes:

1. Incorrect Permalink Settings

WordPress uses “permalinks” to structure URLs. If this configuration breaks, many pages might start returning 404 errors — not just one.

2. Broken or Deleted Pages

If a page was removed or the URL changed without redirecting from the old link, visitors will see a 404 error when visiting the outdated address.

3. Corrupted .htaccess File

On Apache servers, WordPress uses a file called .htaccess to handle how URLs are interpreted. If this file is missing or corrupt, 404 errors can appear site-wide.

4. Plugin or Theme Conflicts

Sometimes plugins or themes interfere with URL rewrites or permalink handling. Deactivating them temporarily can reveal whether they’re the cause.

5. Cache Issues or Typos

Old cached versions and typos in links can trigger 404s too. While typos are easy to fix, server or browser caching can make changes slower to appear.

Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix błąd 404 WordPress

Most 404 errors can be resolved without coding experience. Here are the most reliable fixes:

1. Reset Permalink Structure

This is often the quickest fix.

1. Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.
2. Go to Settings → Permalinks.
3. Without changing anything, click Save Changes.

This forces WordPress to update its permalink structure and often fixes broken URLs.

🔁 Tip: Even if you didn’t change anything, simply saving triggers a permalink refresh that corrects many internal routing issues.

2. Edit or Regenerate the .htaccess File

If resetting permalinks doesn’t work, the issue could be with your .htaccess file:

• Connect to your hosting admin or FTP.
• Look for the .htaccess file in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
• Rename or delete it (after making a backup).
• Then go back to Settings → Permalinks and click Save Changes to generate a fresh .htaccess file.

If your host uses Apache, this file controls URL rewriting, so a fresh version often restores link functionality.

3. Redirect Old URLs

If you changed URLs or deleted pages, use a redirect plugin such as Redirection to send users from missing links to correct pages.

This is especially helpful if the page used to rank in search engines — the redirect preserves SEO value.

4. Find & Fix Broken Links

Tools like Google Search Console or plugins (e.g., Broken Link Checker) help you find links that lead to 404 errors. Then either update them to the correct URL or set up redirects for them.

5. Check Plugins and Themes

If the error appeared after installing a plugin or updating your theme:

1. Deactivate all plugins.
2. Check if the error still shows.
3. Reactivate plugins one by one to isolate the cause.
4. Try switching to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One temporarily.

Custom 404 Pages: Better User Experience

Even after you fix most errors, some 404s are unavoidable — people can still type wrong URLs or try to access deleted links.

That’s why creating a customized 404 page is a good idea. A friendly 404 page can:

• Explain what happened in clear terms.
• Offer links to your most useful pages.
• Include a search box so users can find something else.

Most WordPress themes allow you to design your own 404 page through the theme editor or a page builder like Elementor.

Monitor 404 Errors Over Time

Once fixed, it’s wise to keep an eye on 404 errors so they don’t accumulate again:

• Use Google Analytics to track pages that show 404 titles.
• Use Google Search Console to spot crawl errors.
• Some plugins like Redirection log 404s and help you set redirects when needed.

Monitoring errors helps maintain SEO health and prevents users from landing on frustrating broken links.

Common błąd 404 WordPress FAQs

Q: Why do I get 404 errors only after migrating my site?
A: Migration often changes server settings or removes key files like .htaccess. Resetting permalinks and regenerating .htaccess usually fixes this.

Q: Can 404 errors hurt my search ranking?
A: Yes, especially broken internal links can waste valuable SEO equity and lead to lower rankings.

Q: What if my admin dashboard shows a 404 error?
A: This might be due to server settings, plugin conflicts, or a missing wp-admin file. Checking file integrity or restoring backups usually helps.

Conclusion: Keep Your WordPress Site Healthy

A błąd 404 WordPress is common, but it doesn’t need to be a permanent problem. By understanding what causes these errors and applying reliable fixes — like resetting permalinks, managing redirects, and auditing links — you can improve your site’s usability and SEO.

If you find these issues confusing or time-consuming, AIRSANG specializes in cross-border web design and WordPress optimization. Whether you’re launching an international business, managing an online store, or need a professional to fix persistent WordPress errors, we can help make your site reliable, SEO-ready, and user-friendly. Feel free to reach out to us anytime. We’re here to help!