What Is 404 Error, and How Can You Fix It? 

Key takeaways: 

• A 404 error occurs when a browser requests a page that the server cannot find, usually because the page has been moved, deleted, or linked incorrectly.  
• Too many 404 errors can hurt user experience, weaken SEO performance, and make a website look outdated or unreliable.  
• You can fix 404 errors by restoring missing pages, correcting broken links, adding redirects, and creating a custom 404 page that helps users with navigation. 

Have you ever clicked a link and been met with a “Page Not Found” message? That’s a 404 error in action. While common, these errors can be frustrating for users and harmful to your website. In this guide, we’ll explore what a 404 error is, what causes them, how to find them, and, most importantly, how to fix them. 

What is a 404 error?  

A 404 error is an HTTP status code that appears when a web server cannot find the requested page or requested resource. You may see it written as “404 Not Found,” “404 error code,” “error 404,” or “Page Not Found.”

When a user clicks a link or types a URL into the address bar, the browser requests a specific page from the server. If the server cannot find that page, it returns a 404 status code.

The 404 error code is part of a larger group of HTTP status codes. These codes help browsers, servers, and search engines understand what happened when a page was requested.

404 is part of the 4xx family of HTTP status codes, which usually means the request could not be completed as entered. This is different from 5xx errors, which usually mean the server is having trouble responding.

Other common 4xx status codes include:

• 400 Bad Request
• 401 Unauthorized
• 403 Forbidden
• 405 Method Not Allowed
• 408 Request Timeout
• 410 Gone
• 429 Too Many Requests

So, what is 404 error in everyday terms? It means the website is reachable, but the specific web page the user wants does not currently exist at that web address.

How do 404 errors work

When someone enters a URL in a browser or selects a link, the browser sends a request to the website’s server. This request asks the server to deliver the files necessary to display the web page you’re trying to access. 

You can think of the URL as the page’s address, guiding the server to the files needed to load that content. If the page exists and everything works correctly, the server sends those files back to your browser, which loads. 

But if the server cannot locate the requested page files—because the page was removed or relocated, or the URL was entered incorrectly—it cannot complete the request. 

Instead, it sends back a 404 status code. 

That status code tells the browser that the requested page isn’t available. Your browser then displays this information as a 404 error message, often with phrases like “Page Not Found” or “Error 404.” 

Common causes of a 404 error 

A 404 Not Found error usually occurs when the URL a visitor tries to access no longer points to an active page on the site. Some causes are simple, while others involve technical setup, hosting, or site maintenance.

Common causes include:

• Broken links: Broken links point users to pages that no longer exist or URLs that are no longer correct. These can appear in menus, blog posts, product pages, buttons, image links, or external links from other websites.
• Deleted pages: If a page is deleted without a replacement, visitors may encounter an error page when they try to access the old address.
• Changed URLs: If a page moves from an old URL to a new URL without a redirect, users and search engines may still try to visit the old address. This can lead to broken URLs and missing pages.
• Mistyped URLs: Mistyped URLs are one of the simplest causes of 404 errors. A missing letter, an extra slash, a wrong extension, or an incorrect web address can send a user to a nonexistent page.
• Host-level DNS setting issues: DNS setting issues at the host level can point a domain or subdomain to the wrong web server. These configuration errors can make the requested page unavailable even when the website content still exists.
• Server downtime: Server downtime can cause the server to stop responding as expected. Depending on the issue, the visitor may see a 404 error message or another error when trying to access the page.
• Restrictions and permissions: Some files or pages may be restricted by permissions. In certain cases, the server returns a 404 error instead of showing that the file exists but is blocked.
• Expired content: Seasonal promotions, event pages, temporary offers, or outdated content may be removed once they are no longer useful. If old links still point to those missing pages, visitors may hit a dead end.
• Website migrations: Moving a website to a new platform, domain, or hosting provider can create 404 errors if redirects are not set up correctly.
• .htaccess file issues: On some servers, the htaccess file controls redirects, URL rules, and access settings. A mistake in this file can cause broken links, redirect issues, or missing pages.

Impact of 404 errors  

While the occasional 404 error might seem minor, don’t feel complacent. These seemingly small glitches can significantly impact your website’s performance and reputation. Here’s how they can affect your website:

• Poor user experience 
• Damaged credibility 
• Lower search engine rankings 
• Lost link equity 

Poor user experience 

When a user encounters a 404 error, it disrupts their browsing experience. They are suddenly stopped and presented with a message that says, “This page doesn’t exist.” This can be frustrating, especially if the user seeks information or tries to complete a task. It can lead users to leave your site, increasing your bounce rate and reducing the time they spend there. 

Damaged credibility 

A website filled with 404 errors gives the impression of neglect and unprofessionalism. Users might see your site as outdated, unreliable, or even suspicious. This can damage your brand’s reputation and reduce user engagement. 

Lower search engine rankings 

Search engines like Google prioritize user experience to provide the most relevant and high-quality results. Websites with 404 errors can indicate that the site is poorly maintained or provides a poor user experience. That can hurt your visibility in search results and make your website harder to discover. 

Lost link equity 

Links are a crucial factor in SEO. When other websites link to your pages, it helps signal to search engines that your content is useful and trustworthy. This “link equity” can boost your search rankings. 

However, when links point to 404 pages, this link equity is lost. Broken links stop that SEO value from passing through to a live page. Over time, that can weaken your search performance. 

Finding 404 errors on your website 

You can manually find 404 errors, but automated tools make the process much easier. Website owners should regularly check for 404 errors, especially after redesigns, content updates, product changes, or website migrations.

Here are a few ways to find links that lead to missing pages:

• Check your website manually
• Use Google Search Console
• Use a website crawler
• Review server logs

Check your website manually

For a small website, start by clicking through your main navigation, footer, buttons, blog posts, product pages, and contact page. This helps you spot obvious broken and dead links that users may run into.

You should also test forms, image links, menu items, and important calls to action. If a link points to a 404 error page, update it to point to the correct page.

Use Google Search Console

Google Search Console can help website owners find pages that Google had trouble accessing. It can show indexing issues, crawl activity, and specific URLs that may need attention.

Use Google Search Console to review missing pages, inspect a specific URL, and check whether Google can crawl and index important pages on your site. This is helpful because it shows how search engines interact with your website, not just how users see it.

Use a website crawler

A website crawler scans your site and reports technical issues such as broken links, broken URLs, redirect problems, and 404 errors.

Screaming Frog is a widely used crawler for finding 404 errors. You enter your website URL, run a crawl, and review the results for broken links and response code issues. Its free version can crawl up to 500 URLs, while the paid version is better for larger sites.

A broken link checker or dead link checker can also help you find links that no longer work. These automated tools are useful because they check pages faster than manual review and can catch problems across many websites, pages, and files.

Review server logs

Log file analysis is another way to find 404 errors. Server logs show which URLs users and search engines requested, along with the response code the server returned.

This method is more technical, but it can be useful for larger websites. It can reveal old URLs, external links, missing files, and pages that search engines keep trying to crawl.

How to fix 404 errors 

Fixing a 404 error depends on where the issue starts. Sometimes, the website owner needs to repair the page or link. Other times, the user only needs to check the web address or find the page another way.

Website owners

For website owners, how to fix 404 error issues depends on what happened to the page. Start by reviewing the broken links, deciding whether the page should still exist, and choosing the best fix.

Fixing broken links helps users reach the correct page, supports search engines, and keeps your website easier to navigate.

• Restore the page: If the page was deleted by mistake or still has value, restore it. This is often the best option for pages that bring in traffic, sales, leads, or backlinks.
• Redirect the page: If the content moved, create a 301 redirect from the old URL to the new URL. This sends users and search engines to the most relevant page instead of a dead end.
• Remove the link: If the page no longer has a useful replacement, remove the link. Check menus, footers, blog posts, product pages, and other internal links that may still point to missing pages.

You can also update your sitemap, check your htaccess file, review hosting settings, and fix configuration errors after major website changes. These steps help prevent old URLs from turning into 404 errors.

Website users

For website users, fixing error 404 often starts with checking the web address. In many cases, a 404 Not Found error is caused by a simple typo or an old link.

• Check for typos: Check the address bar for mistakes in the web address. Mistyped URLs can include missing letters, extra characters, incorrect slashes, or the wrong domain extension.
• Reload the page: Reload the page to see if the 404 error is temporary. Sometimes the error message appears due to a brief loading issue or a site update.
• Use search engines: Use search engines if the direct link does not work. Copy the page title, product name, topic, or business name into a search engine and review the search results for the correct page.
• Check the website’s navigation: Go to the homepage and use the website’s navigation to look for the page. The menu, category pages, search bar, or search function may lead you to the same information under a new link.
• Contact web support: Contact web support if you still cannot find the requested page. The website owner may be able to send the correct page, restore missing pages, or explain whether the content was removed.

Creating custom 404 pages

While relying on your CMS’s default 404 error page is okay, creating custom error pages can enhance your website’s user experience. A custom 404 page offers an opportunity to turn a potentially negative encounter into a positive one.

Here’s why a custom 404 page is beneficial:

• Maintains branding consistency: A custom 404 page lets you keep your website’s design and branding. This reinforces your brand identity and prevents the 404 page from diverging. 
• Provides helpful navigation: A custom 404 page can guide users to useful next steps rather than leaving them at a dead end. Adding links to your homepage, key pages, or sitemap can help visitors get back on track quickly. 
• Offers support and guidance: Use your custom 404 page to provide support and guidance. You can also add contact details, a link to your FAQ page, or a search bar so users can keep looking for the right content. 
• Injects personality: A custom 404 page allows you to inject some personality into your website. Use humor, engaging visuals, or a friendly tone to soften the impact of the error and leave a positive impression on users. 

You can also consider these ideas when crafting your custom 404 page: 

• Service providers: If you offer services, include your contact information on your 404 page. This makes it easy for users to reach out for assistance if they can’t find what they’re looking for. 
• E-commerce websites: Adding a search bar to your 404 page is essential for online stores. This allows users to quickly search for products even if they encounter a broken link.  

Frequently Asked Questions 

Don’t let broken links slow you down

A 404 error is common, but it should not be ignored. Broken links, dead links, and missing pages can frustrate visitors, weaken trust, and make your website harder for search engines to crawl.

The good news is that most 404 errors are manageable. With regular checks, redirects, updated links, and a helpful custom 404 page, you can give users a smoother experience and keep your site in better shape.

If you’re building or maintaining your online presence, Domain.com can help with the essentials, from domains to web hosting. Every domain purchase also includes free marketing tools to help you start building visibility while you continue improving your website.