404 Errors After URL Changes

This article explains how to fix 404 errors that appear after you've changed page URLs or website addresses.

Check Your New URLs Are Correct

First, make sure your new URLs are working properly:

1. Go to your WordPress admin dashboard
2. Click "Pages" in the left menu
3. Find the page that's showing a 404 error
4. Click "View" to open the page
5. If the page loads, copy this working URL

Update Your Menus

Old URLs in your navigation menus cause 404 errors. Here's how to fix them:

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to "Appearance" → "Menus"
2. Find menu items pointing to old URLs
3. Click the arrow next to each item to expand it
4. Update the "URL" field with the correct address
5. Click "Save Menu"

For detailed menu editing instructions, see Creating WordPress Menus.

Fix Internal Links in Your Content

Check your page content for links to old URLs:

1. Edit the page or post containing broken links
2. Look for any links pointing to old addresses
3. Highlight the linked text
4. Click the link button in the editor
5. Replace the old URL with the new one
6. Click "Update" to save your changes

Reset Your Permalink Structure

Sometimes WordPress needs a reminder about your URL structure:

1. Go to "Settings" → "Permalinks" in your dashboard
2. Note your current setting (usually "Post name")
3. Select a different option and click "Save Changes"
4. Select your original setting again and click "Save Changes"

This refreshes WordPress's internal URL database.

Check for Plugin Issues

Some plugins can interfere with URLs after changes:

1. Go to "Plugins" → "Installed Plugins"
2. Deactivate any SEO or caching plugins temporarily
3. Test your URLs again
4. If URLs work, reactivate plugins one by one to find the problem

For more help with plugin problems, see Plugin Conflicts and Resolution.

Clear Any Caches

Cached versions of your old URLs might still be loading:

1. If you use a caching plugin, find its settings page
2. Look for "Clear Cache" or "Purge Cache" buttons
3. Click to clear all cached content
4. Test your URLs again

If you're still stuck, contact Web60 support with the specific URLs that aren't working and what changes you made.

FAQ

Q: Why do I get 404 errors after changing my page URLs?

A: WordPress and your website visitors are still trying to access the old URLs, which no longer exist. You need to update internal links and menus to point to the new addresses.

Q: Will changing URLs affect my Google rankings?

A: Yes, changing URLs can impact search rankings temporarily. Google needs time to discover and index your new URLs. Avoid changing URLs unless necessary.

Q: How do I find all the broken links on my website?

A: Check your main navigation menu first, then review your most important pages for internal links. You can also use your browser's developer tools to spot 404 errors in the console.

Q: Can I redirect old URLs to new ones automatically?

A: Yes, but this requires adding redirect rules to your website. This is a technical process - contact Web60 support if you need help setting up redirects.

Q: What's the difference between a 404 error and other website problems?

A: A 404 error specifically means "page not found" - the URL doesn't exist. If your whole website won't load, that's a different issue covered in our troubleshooting guide.

Q: Should I restore from a backup if I have 404 errors?

A: Only if you can't fix the URLs manually and the changes weren't important. Restoring will undo all changes since the backup was made. Consider fixing the links first.