What Are 404 Errors

As you browse the internet, you may encounter a page with a 404 error. This error means that, while you can connect to the server, you are unable to view the specific page you wish to visit. Understanding what a 404 error is will help you resolve existing difficulties and ensure you can access the web material you want to see.

What are 404 errors?

A 404 error is a sort of HTTP status code. It happens when the web browser and the web server are unable to communicate properly. This issue results in an invalid website link, which means the webpage cannot load. The page frequently displays an error code to the user. Each website you visit may present 404 problems differently. This type of error can come in the following forms:

• 404 Not Found
• Error 404
• HTTP 404
• 404 Page Not Found
• 404 File or Directory Not Found
• Requested URL Not Found on the Server
• Error 404 Not Found
• HTTP 404 Not Found
• Cannot Find the Page You’re Looking For

Why do 404 errors occur?

Some common reasons 404 error codes may occur include:

• The website no longer has the requested content.
• The content moved to another URL on the website.
• The website’s server is not running correctly.
• The connection between the server and the website is broken.
• The domain name system cannot convert the requested domain name into an IP address.
• The domain name no longer exists.
• The user wrote, linked or typed the URL incorrectly.

Tips for fixing 404 errors as a web user

Receiving a 404 error code does not always indicate that the information or website is unavailable. Users may be able to fix the issue themselves. Here are several alternative ways you can try to fix a 404 error as a web user.

1. Refresh the page

You may see a 404 error if the page did not load correctly. Refreshing or reloading the page may resolve the issue. To reload the page, click the refresh button at the top of your web browser or hit the “F5” key on your keyboard.

2. Check the URL

Check the URL to check it is right. Check for spelling mistakes or typos that include misplaced forward slashes or dashes. It’s crucial to note that this may only function with clean URLs. Clean URLs are search engine friendly and easy to read and understand.

3. Check the directory levels

Return to earlier directory levels or pages to see if there is another way to get to the desired webpage. Work your way back through the pages until you return to the homepage. For example, suppose you try to access the URL “bestaffordablehotels.com/united-states/florida/orlando/under-100” but the link does not function. Remove the “under-100” from the URL to see whether you can reach “bestaffordablehotels.com/united-states/florida/orlando.” Continue to eliminate bits of the URL between slashes until you find an appropriate directory level.

4. Search the website

Most websites have a search function designed exclusively for their content. Use this function to attempt to find the page. Enter keywords relevant to the page you wish to view.

5. Use a search engine

A search engine can assist you find the current position of the material. Enter the domain name and relevant keywords to help you discover the website. Remember that this strategy will only produce results if the website is still active.

6. Try to access the webpage from a different device

The inability to visit a webpage may be due to a problem with your device. For example, if your computer is having trouble connecting to the internet, you may receive a 404 error code. You might be able to access the webpage on a mobile device connected to a data network. Consider using a different browser to access the intended URL.

7. Clear your cache and delete cookies

A 404 error code could indicate a problem with your browser. Consider emptying your cache and cookies. You can erase all of your cookies, or only the cookies associated with that website. This may allow you to view the URL.

8. Contact the website administrator

Contact the website’s administrators with your concerns. Look for the organization’s contact information in the website’s main header or on a separate contact page. Provide the administrators with information about the 404 error and what you tried to do to address it. This may help them resolve the issue, or they may respond that the content is no longer available.

Tips for fixing 404 errors as a website administrator

Receiving 404 errors on your website may have an impact on more than just the user experience. Although search engines do not expressly include 404 errors as a ranking factor, having too many 404 errors on your website might lead to bad SEO performance. It is critical to identify and resolve codes on your website in order to keep a high ranking and reputation. Here are five tips for resolving 404 issues as a website administrator.

1. Create a 404 page

Consider making a custom 404 page. Try to customize the website to match your brand or discover a strategy to engage visitors. This may encourage users to stay on your website longer, lowering your page’s bounce rate.

2. Create a redirect

A website redirect sends users to a different page. This replaces the 404 error by referring users to a new page that is relevant to the one they were looking for. It is critical to try to choose a webpage other than your homepage. Consider a marketing association that organizes an annual conference each year. Every year, a new website is created for the conference. The company generates a redirect so that customers who bookmarked an outdated webpage from last year can get information about the most recent conference.

3. Restore the page

When attempting to view an unpublished webpage, the user may obtain a 404 error code. Consider restoring old webpages, especially if they were accidentally erased if there is still a high demand for the page. Before restoring the page, you should review it to confirm that all of the information is correct.

4. Correct the link

Check the URLs on your website. Look for mistakes and change the URLs on your website’s backend. Check any hyperlinks on your website to make sure they lead to the relevant pages.

5. Implement preventative measures

It’s critical to have a proactive approach to 404 problems. Make use of tools that crawl your website. These tools frequently reveal 404 issues to fix or dead links to explore.

The size of your website influences how frequently you scan for 404 error codes. For example, if you have a tiny website (50 or fewer pages), you can search for 404 problems once a month. If you have a large website, you can scan for error codes weekly or daily.