The “404 Not Found” error is one of the most common issues faced by WordPress users. This error typically appears when a page or resource on your website cannot be found. In most cases, this error is related to broken links, incorrect URL structures, or issues with WordPress permalinks. Below is a guide to help you fix the “404 Not Found” error on your WordPress website.
Step 1: Log Into Your WHMCS Client Area
1.Access the Client Area: Go to your website and log into your Client Area.
2.Enter Credentials: Enter your registered email and password. If you don’t have an account, sign up and create one.
Step 2: Access cPanel via WHMCS
1.In your Client Area, navigate to the “Services” section and select the hosting package you wish to manage.
2.Click on the “Login to cPanel” button to log into your cPanel account directly.
Step 3: Flush WordPress Permalinks
A common cause of the “404 Not Found” error is an issue with the permalinks. WordPress uses permalinks to create user-friendly URLs for your pages and posts. To resolve permalink issues:
1.Log into your WordPress Admin Dashboard: Visit yourdomain.com/wp-admin and log in with your credentials.
2. Go to Settings > Permalinks: In the left-hand sidebar, click on “Settings” and then “Permalinks”.
3.Re-save Permalink Settings: Without making any changes, click the “Save Changes” button. This action will reset and flush your permalinks, often fixing the issue.
Step 4: Check Your .htaccess File
Your website’s .htaccess file may be misconfigured, causing the “404 Not Found” error. Here’s how to check it:
1.Open cPanel: Go to your hosting account via WHMCS and open cPanel.
2.Locate the .htaccess File: In File Manager, navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation (where you can see folders like wp-content, wp-admin, etc.).
3.Check the File: Look for the .htaccess file. If it’s not visible, you might need to enable Show Hidden Files in the File Manager settings.
4.Edit the .htaccess File: Right-click on the .htaccess file and select Edit. The default content of a WordPress .htaccess file should look like this:
# BEGIN WordPress
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
# END WordPressIf the file contains any other rules or custom code, restore it to the default settings.
5.Save the File: Save the changes and check if the error is resolved.
Step 5: Check Your Theme’s Template Files
If the “404 Not Found” error appears on specific pages (e.g., homepage, archives), the issue may lie within your WordPress theme. To check:
1.Switch to a Default Theme: In your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Themes and activate a default WordPress theme, like Twenty Twenty-One.
2.Check Your Site: After switching themes, visit the page that was showing the 404 error. If the error is gone, your original theme’s template files might be causing the issue.
3.Revert to Your Original Theme: If you suspect a problem with your theme, contact the theme developer for support or switch to another theme.
Step 6: Deactivate Plugins
Sometimes, WordPress plugins can interfere with page routing and cause the “404 Not Found” error. To check if a plugin is the issue:
1.Deactivate All Plugins: In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Installed Plugins. Select all plugins and choose Deactivate from the bulk actions dropdown.
2.Check Your Website: After deactivating all plugins, check your website again to see if the error persists.
3.Activate Plugins One by One: If deactivating the plugins fixes the issue, reactivate each plugin one by one, checking your website after each activation. This will help identify which plugin is causing the 404 error.
4.Replace the Problematic Plugin: If a specific plugin is causing the issue, try updating it, or look for an alternative plugin.
Step 7: Update Your WordPress Site and URL Settings
Another common cause for the “404 Not Found” error is incorrect URL settings in your WordPress database. To fix this:
1.Go to Settings > General: In the WordPress dashboard, navigate to Settings > General.
2.Check Site URL and WordPress Address: Make sure the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) are correct. They should both reflect the full URL of your website (e.g., http://www.yourdomain.com).
Step 8: Contact Support if Needed
If you’ve tried all the above steps and are still facing the “404 Not Found” error, it’s a good idea to contact our support team through your Client Area. We can investigate the issue further and provide assistance.
Conclusion
The “404 Not Found” error can be caused by a variety of issues, including permalink problems, theme issues, or plugin conflicts. By following the steps outlined above, you can troubleshoot and resolve this error effectively. If you need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team for help.
