What is the term HTTP Error 404
The term HTTP Error 404 is an error information displayed by the browser referring to a website page that cannot be opened. This type of error is one of the most common errors that webmasters complain about. This error will have a negative impact on the user experience.
HTTP Error 404 is often referred to as linkrot or decayed links. When the link is visited by a user, the browser cannot find the page or file to access, and then displays an Error 404 Not Found statement. Well, this error is of course motivated by several causes that must be known by a website owner.
Causes of HTTP Error 404
If you are a website owner, you certainly don't want your website to be bad in the eyes of search engines, right? Referring to the guidelines on Google Search Console, Error 404 will not affect the index or ranking of a website if the error URL does not exist on the website.
However, if it turns out that the error URL has existed on a website before, leaving it will have a bad impact. As a webmaster, you have to handle it properly, through redirects and so on. But before discussing how to resolve it, it's good to know what causes the 404 error.
1. Entering the Wrong URL
The most common cause of HTTP Error 404 is an error in entering the URL of a website. Entering just 1 character incorrectly will make the browser find nothing and display an error message. This is because every page on the internet has a unique URL that serves as its address. If a user types in the wrong address, they won't find what they're looking for.
2. Cache Issues
Error 404 juga bisa muncul karena ada masalah atau kendala pada sistem caching. Pada dasarnya cache digunakan untuk membuat sebuah website lebih cepat dan mudah untuk diakses, tapi terkadang caching justru membuat website tidak bisa diakses sama sekali.
Then how can the cache system generate Error 404? The answer is simple, when the browser previously found an error message when caching, the message will be displayed again when the website is visited afterwards. Even though the website can be accessed if you use another browser.
3. Problematic DNS Settings
Another cause of the HTTP Error 404 message is an error in the DNS settings. DNS stands for Domain Name System which is an important setting for a website to be accessed.
4. Theme or Plugin Conflict
In addition to the causes listed above, Error 404 can also be caused by errors or conflicts in the theme and/or plugins used by a WordPress-based website. These conflicts can make the URL inaccessible.
How to easily resolve HTTP Error 404
To avoid the adverse effects, both short-term and long-term, HTTP Error 404 must be addressed immediately. The ways to overcome it are as follows.
1. Check the Entered URL
The easiest way to resolve HTTP Error 404 is to double-check the URL typed in the browser. See if there are any typos in the URL. If there is, correct it and then reopen it with your browser.
Reloading or refreshing the browser can also help resolve this Error 404. It could be that there was a network problem when you accessed it previously. If this is the case, the website will be accessible again after you reload the page when the network is connected.
3. Clear Browser Cache and History
Clearing your browser's cache and history can also help with 404 errors. You can clear the cache and history specifically on websites that you can't open or cache based on a certain timeframe. Afterward, you can start accessing the website again.
4. Recheck DNS Settings
Unfinished DNS propagation and incorrect settings can also cause a website to display a 404 Error. Log in to your domain service provider account and check your DNS settings. If you're confused, there's nothing wrong with asking customer service or the technical department.
5. Redirect Broken Pages
If the page is indeed broken, either because it was deleted or the URL was changed, redirect to a new page. This will help users and search engine crawling robots to recognize the replacement page for the broken one.
6. Disable Theme and Plugin
If you're a WordPress user, the error could be caused by an error in the theme and plugins you're using. First, try changing your theme to a different theme or a standard theme, and if you still see the error, deactivate all plugins. Check your website again when all plugins are deactivated.
Once your website is up and running, it's time to figure out which plugin is causing the error. Reactivate one plugin and check your website again. If there's no problem, you can activate the other plugins one by one and check the website until you find the error message again. Deactivate or delete the plugin that caused the error.