Introduction

A 404 error (also known as “404 Not Found”) is an HTTP status code indicating that a requested webpage cannot be found on the server. This guide provides a detailed overview of 404 errors, their causes, how to fix them, and best practices for website owners and users.

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1. What is a 404 Error?

A 404 Not Found error occurs when:

• The requested webpage does not exist.
• The URL was entered incorrectly.
• The page was deleted or moved without redirection.
• The server is running but cannot locate the resource.

It is a client-side error, meaning the problem is usually with the user’s request rather than the server itself.

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2. How a 404 Error Appears

Different websites may display the 404 error in various ways, such as:

• Standard Browser Message:
  • “404 Not Found”
  • “Error 404. The requested URL was not found on this server.”
• Custom Website Page:
  • “Oops! We couldn’t find that page. Try searching or go back home.”
• Other Variations:
  • “HTTP 404 – Page Not Found”
  • “The page you are looking for might have been removed.”

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3. Common Causes of a 404 Error

1. Incorrect URL: The user may have mistyped the web address.
2. Deleted or Moved Page: The webpage was removed or relocated without a redirect.
3. Broken Links: External or internal links pointing to a non-existent page.
4. Caching Issues: The browser may be loading an outdated cached version of the site.
5. DNS or Server Issues: The domain name might not be resolving correctly.

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4. How Users Can Fix a 404 Error

If you encounter a 404 error, try these solutions:
Check the URL: Make sure it is typed correctly.
Refresh the Page: Press F5 or click refresh.
Use the Website’s Search Bar: Try finding the content through search.
Go Back to the Homepage: Navigate manually from the homepage.
Clear Cache and Cookies: An outdated cache might be causing the issue.
Try a Different Device or Browser: See if the issue is device-specific.
Use a Search Engine: Google the page title to find an alternative link.
Contact Website Support: If the issue persists, notify the website administrator.

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5. How Website Owners Can Fix 404 Errors

If your website is returning 404 errors, follow these steps to resolve them:

a) Identify 404 Errors

Use tools like:

• Google Search Console (Crawl Errors Report)
• Broken Link Checkers (e.g., Dead Link Checker, Screaming Frog)
• Server Logs

b) Redirect Missing Pages

If a page was moved, use 301 redirects to guide users to the correct location. Example:

Redirect 301 /old-page.html https://yourwebsite.com/new-page.html

c) Fix Broken Links

• Update internal links to avoid broken paths.
• Contact external websites linking to deleted pages.

d) Customize Your 404 Page

A helpful and engaging 404 page can improve user experience. Include:
A friendly message (“Oops! Page not found.”)
A search bar to help users find relevant content
Links to popular or important pages
A call-to-action (e.g., “Return to Homepage”)

e) Monitor & Prevent Future 404 Errors

Regularly audit your website for broken links
Set up Google Analytics tracking for 404 pages
Use proper redirects when deleting or moving pages

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6. Examples of Great 404 Pages

Many brands create fun and creative 404 pages:

• Google: Simple and informative
• GitHub: Displays a fun animation
• Netflix: Uses humor (“Lost in the stream?”)
• LEGO: Features a LEGO character looking confused

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7. Conclusion

A 404 error can be frustrating for users but is often easy to fix. Whether you’re a visitor or a website owner, following this guide can help you troubleshoot and resolve 404 issues efficiently.

For users: Double-check the URL, refresh, or navigate manually.
For website owners: Regularly check for broken links, set up redirects, and create a helpful 404 page.

By handling 404 errors properly, you can improve user experience, SEO, and website performance.