Why Does My Website Contain Pages Saying 404 Not Found?

Uh-oh. Are you looking at the pages of your website and seeing pages that say 404 not found? It’s difficult creating a website, particularly if you are doing it for the first time. It’s understandable that you might make some mistakes or miss a tiny detail. But unfortunately, those tiny details can mean big errors on your website. 

So what does a 404 not found page mean? And how can you fix it? We’ll tell you how in this article. And if you need additional help, the web design experts at SEO Design Chicago are happy to assist you!

What is the Meaning of 404: Page Not Found?

404: Page Not Found means that the server that holds a website isn’t showing the website. That’s the technical definition. But why does a 404 error happen? It could be a result of moving a page, moving a page’s directory, moving a whole site, not adding 301 redirects, or even mistyping a URL. If you’re trying to see your own website and getting a 404 error, you need to check out your host server. 

How Do I Fix 404: Page Not Found?

Next, we’ll tell you how to fix the problem. The 404: Page Not Found error is almost always the result of one of the five problems we mentioned earlier. You should be able to fix any of these issues on your server or in your own browser. Let’s talk about how to resolve each of these five issues: 

Moving a Page

Did you add or move a page to your site recently? Maybe the page was put in the wrong folder. Check the pathway to the page you’d like to access, then check it against the file transfer protocol (FTP) service or content management system (CMS.) 

If the page is in the wrong location, move it to the right one. Then, try to access it in your web browser. If that does not resolve the issue, it might be time to contact your website host. But usually, checking your pathways and URL can fix the problem! 

Moving a Page’s Directory

If the web page itself is not the problem, maybe it is the page’s containing folder, which is also called the page’s directory. If you move a folder that contains web pages, each one of those page’s URL will also change. This means you need to access each page with its new URL. Check the names of each folder in your URL against what is in your FTP service or CMS. If they don’t, just retype the URL in your web browser. That should resolve the issue. 

Moving Your Website

Did you recently move your whole website? This is also called rehosting it. A move can result in an 404 error while your site loads and settles into its new home. Though website hosts try to reduce website downtime during a move, it still occurs occasionally. If this is the issue, there are two fixes. One, just wait! Hopefully, your site will only be down for a couple of minutes. Two, if necessary, you can reach out to the new host of your website. They should be able to tell you when your site will be back up and running, and if not, they might have other ways to fix it. 

Forgetting 301 Redirects

Another possibility is that the proper 301 redirects aren’t in place on your site. This can happen if you have recently moved pages, or your entire site. Luckily, it’s easy to resolve! A 301 redirect tells the visitor that your page has moved to a new URL. It also lets Google and other search engines know so that you don’t lose out on search rankings. 

The other kind of redirect is a 302, but that one is temporary. It also doesn’t transfer SEO value, so it’s recommended to use a 301 instead. 

If you need to redirect users to a web page with a new address, you need to implement a 301 redirect on the old URL. Otherwise, they will only see the 404 error. 

Mistyping a URL

Oftentimes, it’s the most simple and obvious solution: before you get on the phone with your website host or go about any other elaborate fixes to your website, make sure you spelled your URL correctly! We all make mistakes when typing occasionally, and sometimes when you think your website is broken, it’s actually perfectly fine. 

Still Need Help with your Website?

If you’re still encountering a 404 Not Found issue on your website, or you need any other kind of help with your site, contact us at SEO Design Chicago today! We offer website audits, website backups, website updates, and more consulting services. Our experts have years of experience creating and improving websites for our clients. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do 404 errors affect my website’s SEO and search rankings?

404 errors can negatively impact your SEO in several ways. When search engines encounter 404 pages, they may remove those URLs from their index, causing you to lose any search rankings those pages had. If users frequently encounter 404 errors, it increases your bounce rate and decreases user experience signals that search engines consider for rankings. However, having a few 404 errors won’t severely harm your site—search engines understand that broken links happen. The key is to fix them quickly, implement proper 301 redirects for moved content, and monitor your site regularly. Use Google Search Console to identify 404 errors and address them promptly to maintain your SEO performance.

2. What’s the difference between a 404 error and other HTTP error codes like 500 or 403?

A 404 error specifically means “page not found”—the server can’t locate the requested page, often due to broken links, moved content, or typos in the URL. A 500 error indicates an “internal server error,” meaning there’s a problem with the server itself rather than the specific page. A 403 error means “forbidden”—the page exists but you don’t have permission to access it. Other common codes include 301 (permanent redirect), 302 (temporary redirect), and 410 (page permanently gone). Understanding these differences helps you diagnose and fix website issues more effectively, as each requires different troubleshooting approaches.

3. Should I create a custom 404 page, and what should it include?

Yes, creating a custom 404 page significantly improves user experience compared to generic server error pages. Your custom 404 page should include your website’s branding and navigation menu to keep users on your site, a clear explanation that the page wasn’t found, a search bar to help users find what they’re looking for, links to your most popular or important pages, and contact information if users need further assistance. Keep the tone friendly and helpful rather than technical or apologetic. Some businesses add humor or personality to make the error less frustrating. The goal is to guide users back to valuable content rather than losing them entirely.

4. How can I find all the 404 errors on my website?

Use multiple methods to identify 404 errors comprehensively. Google Search Console provides a “Coverage” report showing pages that return 404 errors, which is especially valuable for SEO. Website crawling tools like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, or SEMrush can scan your entire site for broken internal links. Your website analytics (Google Analytics) may show 404 pages in your content reports. Server logs can reveal which 404 pages users and search engines are encountering. For WordPress sites, plugins like Broken Link Checker automatically monitor for issues. Set up regular monitoring using these tools and check monthly for new 404 errors, especially after making site changes or updates.

5. When should I use a 301 redirect versus just fixing a broken link?

Use a 301 redirect when you’ve permanently moved a page to a new URL and want to preserve its SEO value and ensure users reach the correct content. This is essential when restructuring your site, changing domain names, or consolidating similar pages. Fix broken links directly when the target page still exists at its original location—this is simpler and more efficient than redirecting. If a page has been permanently removed with no replacement, consider using a 410 status code (gone) rather than a 404, or redirect to your homepage or a relevant category page. The key is maintaining user experience while preserving link equity and search engine trust.

6. How long should I wait before contacting my web host about 404 errors?

Try basic troubleshooting first before contacting your web host. Check for typos in URLs, verify file locations through your FTP or CMS, and ensure 301 redirects are properly implemented—this should take 15-30 minutes. If you’ve recently moved your website or made major changes, wait 2-24 hours as DNS changes and server updates can take time to propagate. Contact your host immediately if you experience widespread 404 errors across your entire site, if your hosting control panel is inaccessible, or if basic troubleshooting doesn’t resolve isolated 404 issues. Document the specific pages affected and steps you’ve already taken to help your host diagnose the problem quickly.

7. Can 404 errors be caused by problems with my domain name or hosting?

Yes, 404 errors can result from hosting and domain issues beyond simple broken links. Domain name problems like expired registration, incorrect DNS settings, or nameserver changes can cause widespread 404 errors. Server configuration issues, exceeded hosting limits, corrupted .htaccess files, or hosting account suspensions can also trigger 404 responses. Additionally, if your hosting provider moves your account to a new server without proper migration, file paths may change and cause 404 errors. If you’re experiencing site-wide 404 errors rather than isolated page issues, the problem likely lies with your hosting or domain configuration rather than individual page problems, and you should contact your hosting provider immediately.