A 404 error is an HTTP status code indicating that the webpage you attempted to access on a website isn't available on their server. Below are steps you can take to address this.

How to Resolve the 404 Not Found Error

1:49 1. Reattempt loading the webpage by pressing F5, clicking the refresh/reload button, or repeatedly entering the URL from the address bar.

<code> The 404 Not Found error may occur due to temporary issues, so refreshing the page often resolves the problem.</code>

2. Double-check the URL for typos. This error frequently arises from incorrectly typed URLs or incorrect links.

3. Navigate up one directory level at a time in the URL until you locate a valid page.

   For instance, if www.web.com/a/b/c.htm results in a 404 Not Found error, move up to www.web.com/a/b/. If this doesn't work, proceed to www.web.com/a/. This approach helps guide you to the desired content or confirms its absence.

4. Perform a search using a well-known search engine. It’s possible that the URL is incorrect, and a quick search through Google or Bing can direct you to the right location.

   If you successfully find the intended page, update your bookmark to prevent future 404 errors.

5. Clear your browser's cache if there's any indication that the 404 message might be specific to your session. For example, if the URL works on one device but not another, clearing the cache on the problematic device might resolve the issue.

   Additionally, consider clearing your browser's cookies, particularly those associated with the website, especially if clearing the cache alone doesn't solve the problem.

6. Alter the DNS servers used by your computer, typically only if an entire website consistently shows a 404 error, especially when accessible to others on different networks (like your mobile data or a friend's connection).

   Widespread 404 errors on a site are uncommon unless caused by ISP or government restrictions. Changing DNS servers is a practical step in such cases. Refer to our list of Free and Public DNS Servers for options and guidance.

7. Reach out to the website directly. If the page has been removed, they can confirm this. If the page has been relocated without proper redirection, notifying them allows them to rectify the situation.

8. Lastly, if all else fails, wait. Although not ideal, it may be the only option, especially if you believe the error shouldn't be occurring and others are experiencing similar issues.

Errors Comparable to Error 404

Other client-side error messages linked to the 404 Not Found error include 400 Bad Request, 401 Unauthorized, 403 Forbidden, and 408 Request Timeout.

Various server-side HTTP status codes also exist, such as the common 500 Internal Server Error. You can view all these codes in our HTTP Status Code Errors list.

Ways the 404 Error Appears

Here are typical ways the HTTP 404 error displays:

• 404 Error
• 404 Not Found
• Error 404
• The requested URL [URL] was not found on this server
• HTTP 404
• Error 404 Not Found
• 404 File or Directory Not Found
• HTTP 404 Not Found
• 404 Page Not Found
• Error 404. The page you're looking for can't be found.

These error messages can show up in any browser or operating system. They usually appear within the browser window similarly to web pages.

When Microsoft Office applications open links with a 404 error, they produce a The Internet site reports that the item you requested could not be found (HTTP/1.0 404) message inside the application.

In cases where Windows Update encounters a 404 error, it shows as code 0x80244019 or as WU_E_PT_HTTP_STATUS_NOT_FOUND.

Causes of HTTP 404 Errors

Technically, a 404 error is a client-side issue, suggesting it's your fault, whether due to a typo in the URL or the page being moved or removed from the site. You should have anticipated this.

Another scenario is when a website moves a page or resource without setting up a redirect from the old URL to the new one. This leads to receiving a 404 error instead of being automatically directed to the updated page.

If you know about broken links on your site, ensure they are redirected or fixed. If a 404 error occurs due to a deleted page, think about restoring or redirecting it to relevant new content.

19. How do I fix error 404 on WordPress? If you use WordPress, 404 errors commonly arise from redirect conflicts or permalink problems. Address broken links for individual pages or posts. Go to the WordPress dashboard and adjust permalink settings if it's a site-wide issue.

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