Step 1: Access Your WordPress Dashboard

First, log in to your WordPress admin area. This is usually accessible by adding “/wp-admin” to the end of your website’s URL (e.g., yourwebsite.com/wp-admin).

Step 2: Navigate to the Permalinks Settings

Once you’re in the dashboard, go to the “Settings” section in the left-hand menu and click on “Permalinks.”

Step 3: Re-save Your Permalink Structure

On the Permalinks settings page, you will see various options for setting up your URL structure. You don’t need to change anything if you’re happy with your current structure. Simply scroll down and click the “Save Changes” button. This action will refresh your permalink settings.

Step 4: Check for .htaccess File Issues (If didn’t work from the first three steps)

If WordPress is unable to automatically edit the .htaccess file, it will provide manual instructions after you save the changes. Follow these instructions carefully:

1. Locate your .htaccess file: This file is usually found in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
2. Edit the .htaccess file: Use an FTP client or your web host’s file manager to access and edit the .htaccess file.
3. Add the provided code: Copy the code provided by WordPress and paste it into your .htaccess file, then save the changes.

Step 5: Verify the Fix

After re-saving your permalink structure and ensuring your .htaccess file is properly configured, visit your website and navigate to the pages that were previously showing the 404 error. They should now load correctly.

Additional Tips

• Clear your browser cache: Sometimes, your browser may cache the 404 error page. Clearing the cache can help resolve this.
• Disable plugins: If the issue persists, try disabling all plugins to see if one of them is causing the problem. Re-enable them one by one to identify the culprit.
• Contact your hosting provider: If you’ve tried everything and the error still occurs, there might be a server-related issue. Contact your hosting provider for further assistance.

By following these steps, you should be able to fix the 404 error on your WordPress site and ensure your visitors can access your content without any issues.