How to Fix WordPress 404 Error After Migration, when migrating your WordPress site, you may come across several issues. One of the most common issues users face is the dreaded “404 Error.” This typically happens when visitors try to access a page or image, only to be met with a “404 – Page Not Found” message. If you have recently moved your WordPress site to a new server or domain, this error can be particularly irritating.
In this article, we will take you through a step by step complete guide on how to fix the WordPress 404 error after migration. We will also cover why your WordPress website may be showing a 404 error for images, and provide effective 404 error fix solutions.
What is a WordPress 404 Error?
A 404 error indicates that a requested page or resource cannot be found on the server. This can occur for several reasons, especially after a migration. The URL you are trying to visit may not be mapped correctly, or the server may not be able to find the file or page.
When dealing with WordPress migration, the issue is often linked to incorrect permalinks or missing files due to improper transfer. Whether it is a page, post, or image, a 404 error can prevent users from viewing the content they are trying to access.
Related Article : 20 Common WordPress Errors and Their Solutions
Why is My WordPress Website Showing a 404 Error for Images?
If you’re facing 404 errors specifically for images, it may be caused by issues such as:
- Incorrect File Paths: After migration, the path to images might not be updated, causing WordPress to look for them in the wrong directory.
- Missing Media Files: Some images might not have been successfully transferred during migration, leaving WordPress unable to retrieve them.
- Database Issues: WordPress stores URL paths for images in the database. If your database has not been updated with the new site URL, it could continue to point to the old destination.
- Permalink Structure Changes: A change in the site’s permalink structure can also affect the accessibility of images.
Table of 404 Error Fix Solutions Checklist
| Solution | Steps to Follow |
|---|---|
| Reset Permalink Structure | Go to Settings > Permalinks and click “Save Changes”. |
| Update URLs in Database | Use phpMyAdmin to update siteurl and home URLs. |
| Clear Browser and Plugin Caches | Clear browser history and plugin caches. |
| Check and Reset .htaccess | Rename .htaccess and regenerate via Permalink Settings. |
| Use Regenerate Thumbnails Plugin | Install and use the plugin to rebuild thumbnails. |
| Fix Broken Links | Use Broken Link Checker plugin to detect and fix links. |
| Check Image File Permissions | Ensure image folder permissions are set to 755 and files to 644. |
| Re-upload Missing Images | Manually upload images via the Media Library. |
Step-by-Step Guide to Fix WordPress 404 Error After Migration
Here are the steps you should follow to resolve the 404 error after migrating your WordPress site.
Step 1: Check the Permalinks Settings
One of the most common causes of 404 errors after migration is the permalink structure. WordPress uses permalinks to define how URLs for posts and pages are displayed. If these settings are not correctly updated after migration, you may encounter 404 errors.
How to reset permalinks:
- Go to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to Settings > Permalinks.
- Hit the “Save Changes” button without making any changes. This will update the permalink values and enable WordPress to rebuild the.htaccess file.
This simple step can often resolve many 404 errors related to missing pages or posts.
Step 2: Update the Site URL and Home URL in the Database
If you’ve migrated your site to a new domain or directory, the URLs in your database may still point to the old site. To fix this, you will need to update the URLs manually in the database.
How to update URLs in the database:
- Log into your phpMyAdmin through your hosting control panel.
- Find the WordPress database for your site.
- Locate the wp_options table.
- Look for the
siteurlandhomerows. Update them with the new domain or directory URL.
For example, change:
http://oldsite.comtohttp://newsite.com.
Step 3: Clear Caches
After migration, your browser or caching plugin might still have old cached URLs or resources. Clearing these caches can resolve the issue.
- Browser Cache: Clear your browser cache by going into the settings and clearing browsing history and cached images and files.
- WordPress Cache Plugins: If you’re using a caching plugin like W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache, go to the plugin settings and clear the cache.
Step 4: Check .htaccess File
The .htaccess file in your WordPress installation helps manage URL redirection and can sometimes become corrupted or misconfigured during migration. You can try to reset the .htaccess file by following these steps:
- Access your site’s root directory via FTP or File Manager in your hosting control panel.
- Locate the
.htaccessfile. - Rename the file (for example, to
.htaccess_old) to disable it. - Go to the wordpress dashboard and go to the Settings > Permalinks.
- Hit the “Save Changes” button to create a new
.htaccessfile.
Step 5: Check for Broken Links
If your images or pages are still not appearing, there might be broken links in your content. Use tools like the Broken Link Checker plugin to identify and fix broken links on your site.
404 Error Fix Solutions for Images
If your WordPress site is showing 404 errors for images specifically, here are some solutions:
Solution 1: Regenerate Thumbnails
When migrating your site, thumbnails and other image sizes might not generate correctly. Use the Regenerate Thumbnails plugin to rebuild these image files.
Steps to use Regenerate Thumbnails:
- Install and activate the Regenerate Thumbnails plugin.
- Go to Tools > Regen. Thumbnails.
- Click the “Regenerate Thumbnails” button to recreate your image files.
Solution 2: Correct Image File Paths
If your image file paths were incorrect during migration, you might need to update them. You can use a plugin like Velvet Blues Update URLs to bulk update URLs in your content, including image paths.
Steps to use Velvet Blues Update URLs:
- Install and activate the plugin.
- Go to Tools > Update URLs.
- Enter the old and new URLs and select the options to update image URLs.
Solution 3: Check File Permissions
Sometimes, incorrect file permissions on your server can cause 404 errors for images. Ensure that your image files have the correct permissions to be accessible.
How to check and update file permissions:
- Access your WordPress files via FTP.
- Right-click on the wp-content/uploads folder and select “File Permissions.”
- Make sure that the folder has permissions set to
755and the image files are set to644.
Solution 4: Re-upload Missing Images
If the images were not transferred correctly during migration, try re-uploading them to the WordPress media library.
- Go to Media > Add New.
- Upload the missing images manually.
Conclusion
The WordPress 404 error after migration is a common but fixable issue. By carefully following the steps mentioned above such as updating permalinks, checking database URLs, regenerating thumbnails, and ensuring correct file paths you can resolve this issue and get your site running smoothly again. For 404 errors specific to images, solutions like using plugins for regenerating thumbnails and updating broken links will ensure that your content is fully accessible to users.
Remember, if you are not comfortable performing these changes yourself, it is always a good idea to consult with a professional or your hosting support team to avoid any complications. With these fixes, you should be able to tackle the WordPress 404 error after migration and ensure your site is fully operational.
