Step-by-step instructions
- Step 01
Copy the exact failing URL and identify if the error comes from WordPress, a hosting provider or Netlify.
- Step 02
Confirm the page or post is Published and its slug matches the link.
- Step 03
On self-hosted WordPress, go to Settings → Permalinks and save the intended structure; this may refresh routing rules.
- Step 04
On WordPress.com, confirm the site's address and slug settings instead of looking for host-level server configuration.
- Step 05
Check the navigation link or button target for typos, extra slashes, an obsolete hostname or a deleted page.
- Step 06
If you recently migrated a domain, check DNS, host assignment and HTTPS separately from WordPress permalinks.
- Step 07
For self-hosted sites, inspect the host's rewrite rules and error logs when permalink saving does not solve the problem.
- Step 08
If an older URL had visitors, use a redirect to the replacement URL where your platform supports it.
Before you finish: important checks
- Back up before server configuration changes.
- Avoid randomly altering DNS when only one article URL fails.
Common problems and fixes
- Every route returns 404 after host migration? Check hosting routing/document root.
- Only one article 404? Check slug and publish status first.
Frequently asked questions
Does clicking /index.html proving the site works mean the root / is correct?
Not necessarily; routing/deployment settings still need checking.
WordPress, hosting and AI interfaces change. Check the service's current documentation before changing billing, domain DNS, security or important site settings. Rayhan Studio publishes educational help, not guaranteed results.