If you have been having problems with your WordPress posts returning a 404 error, don’t worry, you’re not alone. In this post, we will show you how to fix the problem. We will cover two methods: correcting the permalinks and restoring the post from a backup. Let’s get started!
No doubt, WordPress is a popular content management system that helps you create a website or blog from scratch.
While it is relatively easy to use, sometimes you may encounter errors.
Why does this problem occur?
When you update WordPress, the information in your database may become out of sync with how it is set up on your server. This causes unintended consequences like broken permalinks and missing posts. Fortunately, most problems can be fixed within a few minutes.
Method 1: Correcting Permalink Structure
To fix the problem, you will need to find the post and edit it. Once you have done that, WordPress will update all posts to use your new settings.
Navigate to the post in question (it is usually easiest to do this from your WP Admin dashboard -> Posts -> All Posts).
Click “Edit.”
When you’re viewing permalinks, scroll down and click “Save.” This will update your links to use the new permalink structure.
If you are unable to find the post, that means it was deleted. To fix this problem, navigate to All Posts -> Add New. From here, you can publish a new post with the correct URL.
Method 2: Restoring from Backup
You may also download your most recent backup and upload it to your server.
Updating permalinks will not affect the content of your posts, so this is a great method for restoring them quickly.
To download a backup:
Login to WP Admin -> Tools -> Import -> WordPress Select the option to restore from an XML file and click “Upload.” (If the file doesn’t load, click “Upload File” to get your backup.)
If you are unable to find the backup or upload it successfully, that means it was deleted. To fix this problem, navigate to All Posts -> Add New. From here, you can publish a new post with the correct URL.
Method 3: Restore Your .htaccess File
After updating your permalink structure, you may find that your previous .htaccess file was deleted. If this is your situation, the quickest way to fix it is by restoring the original file.
To do this, login to cPanel -> File Manager and navigate to public_html/wp-admin/. Click “Upload” in the bottom left corner, then select your .htaccess file.
Make sure that “Overwrite existing files” is selected and click “Upload.” This will restore your original permalink structure. If you do not have a backup of this file, please contact your hosting provider for guidance.
Method 4: Disable All of Your WordPress Plugins and Theme
If all of the above suggestions do not work, you can try disabling all your plugins and themes to see if this is the source of your problem. When you deactivate them, it will likely remove some data that was causing issues.
To disable your plugins: Navigate to WP Admin -> Plugins -> All Activate (or deactivate) the plugins one at a time to find the problem. If possible, keep track of which ones you have tested.
To disable your theme: Navigate to WP Admin -> Appearance -> Themes Activate (or deactivate) the themes one at a time to find the problem. If possible, keep track of which ones you have tested.
After deactivating all of your plugins and themes, if you find that the 404 problems have been resolved, reactivate the ones you need one at a time until you pin down which plugin or theme is causing problems.
Conclusion
As WordPress is open-source and continually changing, you may run into issues with broken links and missing posts from time to time. Fortunately, the process is quick and easy. If you’re still having difficulty following our guide, please ask for help in our support forums.
