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404 Page not found: Causes and solutions

Manuel Kühn

6/12/2024

-

16 min

The most important facts in brief
  • 404 errors can damage your website: they cause annoyed visitors, higher bounce rates and lower rankings on Google.
  • Use the right tools: Tools such as Google Search Console or Screaming Frog help you to quickly find and fix 404 errors.
  • Stay proactive: With regular maintenance and smart redirects, you can avoid most 404 errors before they become a problem.

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What is a 404 error and why is it problematic?

Basics of the HTTP status code 404

A 404 error is an HTTP status code that indicates that the URL requested by the user could not be found. This means that the web server confirms that the request has been received, but the requested resource - be it a page, an image or a file - does not exist or is no longer available. For website operators, this error is not only an indication of a missing element, but also a potential problem for the user experience and SEO ranking.

Negative effects on your website

404 errors can cause considerable damage to your website if they are not corrected in time:

  • Loss of trust: Users who land on a 404 error page often have the feeling that the website is not professionally maintained. This leads to them leaving the site more quickly and returning less frequently.
  • Poorer SEO performance: Search engines such as Google rate a high number of 404 pages as negative. This can have a direct impact on your ranking, as Google notices a poor user experience.
  • Increased bounce rates: Every click on a broken link leads to users leaving the page in frustration. High bounce rates also signal to Google that your page is less relevant .

A problem for users and search engines

As a website operator, you should not ignore the 404 error. Not only is it annoying for your website visitors, but it also has a direct impact on your search engine ranking and the overall quality of your website. A regular dead link check is mandatory here in order to identify and rectify problems at an early stage.

How to recognize 404 errors on your website

To fix 404 errors efficiently, you first need to identify them reliably. There are various tools and methods to help you detect broken links and pages that cannot be found.

1. google search console

The Google Search Console is the central tool for detecting 404 errors. Under the menu item "Index" → "Pages" you will find an overview of all URLs that Google was unable to crawl successfully. Errors are categorized here so that you can react to them in a targeted manner.

The image shows a Google Search Console overview with a diagram of the indexed pages and a list of reasons why pages are not indexed. A red arrow highlights the reason "Not found (404)".

2. screaming frog SEO spider

You can use this tool to crawl your entire website. The SEO spider shows you all broken links and pages with the status code 404 not found. What is particularly useful is that you can see directly which other pages link to these broken URLs.

The image shows a table with information about various URLs, their status codes and indexability. Two red arrows highlight entries with the status codes "301 Moved Permanently" and "404 Not Found", which are not indexable.

3. website monitoring tools

Professional tools such as Ahrefs, SEMrush or Sitechecker offer comprehensive analyses that go far beyond error detection. They not only show you where 404 errors occur, but also what impact they have on your SEO and your user experience.

The image shows an overview of a website analysis. A health score of 86 indicates a good condition. There are a total of 534 reported problems, divided into errors (23), warnings (393) and notices (118). A red arrow highlights 404 and 4XX pages, where 3 are affected in each case.

4. manual check

Even if it is time-consuming, you should regularly go through your most important pages yourself. In particular, check links in older blog posts, on landing pages and in the navigation.

The most common causes of 404 errors

To avoid 404 errors in the long term, it is important to know their most common causes. They are often caused by avoidable errors in the management of URLs or by technical problems.

1. incorrect or outdated links

A common reason for 404 errors are typing errors or outdated links that no longer lead to existing pages. Particularly affected are:

  • Internal links: Links within your own website that are no longer up-to-date.
  • External links: Links from other websites that point to deleted or moved content.

Tip: Use tools such as Screaming Frog to regularly check your internal and external links.

2. deleted content without forwarding

If pages are deleted or content is moved without setting up a redirect (e.g. a 301 redirect), a 404 error page is created. This often happens with:

  • Product pages in online stores: Items are removed from the range, but the page remains linked.
  • Blog articles: Old posts are removed without redirecting to relevant content.

Tip: Make sure that every removed URL is replaced by a redirect to a suitable alternative.

3. technical problems

Technical errors can also lead to 404 pages.

These include:

  • Server downtime: The web server is temporarily unavailable.
  • Faulty htaccess files: Incorrectly configured server settings can block access to resources.
  • DNS problems: If the domain points incorrectly to the web server, content is not accessible.

Tip: Work closely with your hosting service to solve technical problems quickly.

4. changes to the URL structure

Changes to the URL structure - for example due to a website update - can invalidate existing links. This leads to a large number of 404 errors that have to be laboriously corrected.

Tip: Document all changes to the URL structure and plan redirects in good time.

How to fix 404 errors effectively

Fixing 404 errors is essential to improve the user experience and performance of your website. There are several approaches you can take depending on the cause:

1. repair broken links

Faulty links are one of the most common causes of 404 errors. These measures will help you to fix them:

  • Check internal links: Use tools like Screaming Frog or Google Search Console to identify and update broken links in your content.
  • Have external links adjusted: Ask external webmasters to correct incorrect links to your site.

2. set up forwarding

If content has been moved or deleted, 301 redirects are a quick and effective solution. They automatically redirect users and search engines to the correct page. This is particularly suitable for:

  • Postponed blog posts
  • Deleted product pages in online stores

3. restore contents

Sometimes it makes sense to restore a deleted page - especially if it had high traffic or many backlinks. This prevents users from encountering an error message.

4. solve technical problems

Some 404 errors are caused by technical reasons such as

  • Incorrect server configurations: Work closely with your hosting partner to resolve server issues.
  • Incorrect htaccess files: Check the file for incorrect settings that could block access.

5. regular review

New problems can occur at any time. Tools such as Ahrefs or SEMrush help you to continuously monitor broken links and pages.

An infographic with five steps to fix 404 errors on a website: 1. repair broken links, 2. set up redirects, 3. restore deleted content, 4. fix technical problems, 5. check regularly.

How to make the most of a 404 page

A 404 page doesn't have to be frustrating for users - it can even be an opportunity to strengthen your brand and improve the user experience. With the right design and content, you can ensure that visitors don't bounce immediately, but stay on your site.

1. make your 404 page user-friendly

Your 404 page should clearly communicate that the content you were looking for was not found. At the same time, it must be useful by offering alternatives:

  • Integrate a search function: Give users the opportunity to search for relevant content directly on your site.
  • Links to popular pages: Links to frequently visited categories, blog posts or your homepage.

2. be creative and brand-related

A good Error 404 page is not only functional, but also a place to highlight your brand:

  • Humorous designs: A funny text or illustration can soothe the frustration of users.
  • Integrate brand elements: Use colors, fonts and your brand's tone of voice to tie the site into your overall design.

3. avoid duplicate content

A 404 page should be individually designed and should not contain duplicate content , which has a negative impact on your SEO. Use clear text and describe why the user has landed on this page.

4. technical tips for an SEO-friendly 404 page

  • Output HTTP status code 404: Make sure that your page correctly returns the HTTP status code 404. Otherwise, search engines could index the page incorrectly.
  • No redirection to the homepage: Do not simply redirect users to the homepage, as this can cause confusion.

5. examples of successful 404 pages

Some companies are leading the way: Creative error 404 pages remain in the memory of users and strengthen customer loyalty. Let yourself be inspired:

  • Netflix: A humorous animation that entertains the user.
The image shows an error message from Netflix with the text "Lost your way?" and a note that the requested page cannot be found. A button labeled "Netflix Home" leads to the home page. The error code "NSES-404" can be seen at the bottom. In the background is a scene from the series "Lost in Space" with a snowy landscape and a futuristic vehicle.
  • Disney: Lovingly animated characters and clear navigation.
The image shows a 404 error page from Disney. On the left is the character Mike from "Die Monster AG" with a surprised look on his face. On the right is the text "HOPPLA! PAGE NOT FOUND" with an explanation that the desired page is not available. A button leads back to the home page.

Prevention is better than cure: How to avoid 404 errors

404 errors can never be completely eliminated, but with the right strategies you can drastically reduce their frequency. An important first step is to continuously maintain your website. Regular updates and checks help to identify potential problems early on before they become a 404 error.

Solid URL management isessential here. Avoid changing URLs frequently and make sure that your structure is well thought out from the start. If changes are unavoidable, such as when switching to a new content management system (CMS), plan redirects from the outset. This keeps the connection between old and new URLs intact and prevents users from ending up on a 404 page.

You should also monitor your links regularly. Tools such as Screaming Frog or Ahrefs allow you to quickly find dead links. This is particularly important for external links, as you have less control over whether the target page still exists. If an external link is broken, you should either find an alternative or remove it.

Open communication with your users and search engines is also a decisive factor. Inform visitors about changes, for example through notifications or banners, when content has been moved. You can signal to search engines that the structure has changed by updating your sitemap. This minimizes the likelihood of Google encountering an Http error 404.

In the long term, a good maintenance routine will help you to prevent 404 errors. Schedule regular checks and use monitoring tools that provide you with reports on faulty pages. This way, you ensure that your website always remains error-free and users have a positive experience - without encountering an error message or a 404 error.

Frequently asked questions

What does the error "404 Page not found" mean?

The error "404 page not found" means that the requested resource - be it a page, an image or a file - is not available on the server. The web server returns the HTTP status code 404 to inform the browser that the requested URL was not found.

How can I fix the error 404?

To fix a 404 error, you can take the following measures:

  1. Check the URL for typos or outdated links.
  2. Set up a 301 redirect if the content has been moved.
  3. Restore deleted content if it is still needed. Tools such as the Google Search Console will help you to identify the faulty pages.

Where does the error 404 come from?

An Http error 404 occurs when a user or a search engine attempts to access a URL that no longer exists on the server. Common causes are deleted content, broken links or incorrectly configured servers.

Are "404 error", "error 404", "http error 404" and "error 404 not found" the same thing?

Yes, these terms all mean the same thing. They describe that a page or resource on your website was not found. The differences in the terms, such as Error 404 not found or Error 404 not found, are only in the language or spelling.

How do 404 errors affect SEO?

404 errors can have a negative impact on your SEO, as they are a signal to search engines that your website is not well maintained. This can lead to poorer rankings. You can minimize such effects with regular maintenance and redirects.

What is a 404 error and why is it problematic?

Basics of the HTTP status code 404

A 404 error is an HTTP status code that indicates that the URL requested by the user could not be found. This means that the web server confirms that the request has been received, but the requested resource - be it a page, an image or a file - does not exist or is no longer available. For website operators, this error is not only an indication of a missing element, but also a potential problem for the user experience and SEO ranking.

Negative effects on your website

404 errors can cause considerable damage to your website if they are not corrected in time:

  • Loss of trust: Users who land on a 404 error page often have the feeling that the website is not professionally maintained. This leads to them leaving the site more quickly and returning less frequently.
  • Poorer SEO performance: Search engines such as Google rate a high number of 404 pages as negative. This can have a direct impact on your ranking, as Google notices a poor user experience.
  • Increased bounce rates: Every click on a broken link leads to users leaving the page in frustration. High bounce rates also signal to Google that your page is less relevant .

A problem for users and search engines

As a website operator, you should not ignore the 404 error. Not only is it annoying for your website visitors, but it also has a direct impact on your search engine ranking and the overall quality of your website. A regular dead link check is mandatory here in order to identify and rectify problems at an early stage.

How to recognize 404 errors on your website

To fix 404 errors efficiently, you first need to identify them reliably. There are various tools and methods to help you detect broken links and pages that cannot be found.

1. google search console

The Google Search Console is the central tool for detecting 404 errors. Under the menu item "Index" → "Pages" you will find an overview of all URLs that Google was unable to crawl successfully. Errors are categorized here so that you can react to them in a targeted manner.

The image shows a Google Search Console overview with a diagram of the indexed pages and a list of reasons why pages are not indexed. A red arrow highlights the reason "Not found (404)".

2. screaming frog SEO spider

You can use this tool to crawl your entire website. The SEO spider shows you all broken links and pages with the status code 404 not found. What is particularly useful is that you can see directly which other pages link to these broken URLs.

The image shows a table with information about various URLs, their status codes and indexability. Two red arrows highlight entries with the status codes "301 Moved Permanently" and "404 Not Found", which are not indexable.

3. website monitoring tools

Professional tools such as Ahrefs, SEMrush or Sitechecker offer comprehensive analyses that go far beyond error detection. They not only show you where 404 errors occur, but also what impact they have on your SEO and your user experience.

The image shows an overview of a website analysis. A health score of 86 indicates a good condition. There are a total of 534 reported problems, divided into errors (23), warnings (393) and notices (118). A red arrow highlights 404 and 4XX pages, where 3 are affected in each case.

4. manual check

Even if it is time-consuming, you should regularly go through your most important pages yourself. In particular, check links in older blog posts, on landing pages and in the navigation.

The most common causes of 404 errors

To avoid 404 errors in the long term, it is important to know their most common causes. They are often caused by avoidable errors in the management of URLs or by technical problems.

1. incorrect or outdated links

A common reason for 404 errors are typing errors or outdated links that no longer lead to existing pages. Particularly affected are:

  • Internal links: Links within your own website that are no longer up-to-date.
  • External links: Links from other websites that point to deleted or moved content.

Tip: Use tools such as Screaming Frog to regularly check your internal and external links.

2. deleted content without forwarding

If pages are deleted or content is moved without setting up a redirect (e.g. a 301 redirect), a 404 error page is created. This often happens with:

  • Product pages in online stores: Items are removed from the range, but the page remains linked.
  • Blog articles: Old posts are removed without redirecting to relevant content.

Tip: Make sure that every removed URL is replaced by a redirect to a suitable alternative.

3. technical problems

Technical errors can also lead to 404 pages.

These include:

  • Server downtime: The web server is temporarily unavailable.
  • Faulty htaccess files: Incorrectly configured server settings can block access to resources.
  • DNS problems: If the domain points incorrectly to the web server, content is not accessible.

Tip: Work closely with your hosting service to solve technical problems quickly.

4. changes to the URL structure

Changes to the URL structure - for example due to a website update - can invalidate existing links. This leads to a large number of 404 errors that have to be laboriously corrected.

Tip: Document all changes to the URL structure and plan redirects in good time.

How to fix 404 errors effectively

Fixing 404 errors is essential to improve the user experience and performance of your website. There are several approaches you can take depending on the cause:

1. repair broken links

Faulty links are one of the most common causes of 404 errors. These measures will help you to fix them:

  • Check internal links: Use tools like Screaming Frog or Google Search Console to identify and update broken links in your content.
  • Have external links adjusted: Ask external webmasters to correct incorrect links to your site.

2. set up forwarding

If content has been moved or deleted, 301 redirects are a quick and effective solution. They automatically redirect users and search engines to the correct page. This is particularly suitable for:

  • Postponed blog posts
  • Deleted product pages in online stores

3. restore contents

Sometimes it makes sense to restore a deleted page - especially if it had high traffic or many backlinks. This prevents users from encountering an error message.

4. solve technical problems

Some 404 errors are caused by technical reasons such as

  • Incorrect server configurations: Work closely with your hosting partner to resolve server issues.
  • Incorrect htaccess files: Check the file for incorrect settings that could block access.

5. regular review

New problems can occur at any time. Tools such as Ahrefs or SEMrush help you to continuously monitor broken links and pages.

An infographic with five steps to fix 404 errors on a website: 1. repair broken links, 2. set up redirects, 3. restore deleted content, 4. fix technical problems, 5. check regularly.

How to make the most of a 404 page

A 404 page doesn't have to be frustrating for users - it can even be an opportunity to strengthen your brand and improve the user experience. With the right design and content, you can ensure that visitors don't bounce immediately, but stay on your site.

1. make your 404 page user-friendly

Your 404 page should clearly communicate that the content you were looking for was not found. At the same time, it must be useful by offering alternatives:

  • Integrate a search function: Give users the opportunity to search for relevant content directly on your site.
  • Links to popular pages: Links to frequently visited categories, blog posts or your homepage.

2. be creative and brand-related

A good Error 404 page is not only functional, but also a place to highlight your brand:

  • Humorous designs: A funny text or illustration can soothe the frustration of users.
  • Integrate brand elements: Use colors, fonts and your brand's tone of voice to tie the site into your overall design.

3. avoid duplicate content

A 404 page should be individually designed and should not contain duplicate content , which has a negative impact on your SEO. Use clear text and describe why the user has landed on this page.

4. technical tips for an SEO-friendly 404 page

  • Output HTTP status code 404: Make sure that your page correctly returns the HTTP status code 404. Otherwise, search engines could index the page incorrectly.
  • No redirection to the homepage: Do not simply redirect users to the homepage, as this can cause confusion.

5. examples of successful 404 pages

Some companies are leading the way: Creative error 404 pages remain in the memory of users and strengthen customer loyalty. Let yourself be inspired:

  • Netflix: A humorous animation that entertains the user.
The image shows an error message from Netflix with the text "Lost your way?" and a note that the requested page cannot be found. A button labeled "Netflix Home" leads to the home page. The error code "NSES-404" can be seen at the bottom. In the background is a scene from the series "Lost in Space" with a snowy landscape and a futuristic vehicle.
  • Disney: Lovingly animated characters and clear navigation.
The image shows a 404 error page from Disney. On the left is the character Mike from "Die Monster AG" with a surprised look on his face. On the right is the text "HOPPLA! PAGE NOT FOUND" with an explanation that the desired page is not available. A button leads back to the home page.

Prevention is better than cure: How to avoid 404 errors

404 errors can never be completely eliminated, but with the right strategies you can drastically reduce their frequency. An important first step is to continuously maintain your website. Regular updates and checks help to identify potential problems early on before they become a 404 error.

Solid URL management isessential here. Avoid changing URLs frequently and make sure that your structure is well thought out from the start. If changes are unavoidable, such as when switching to a new content management system (CMS), plan redirects from the outset. This keeps the connection between old and new URLs intact and prevents users from ending up on a 404 page.

You should also monitor your links regularly. Tools such as Screaming Frog or Ahrefs allow you to quickly find dead links. This is particularly important for external links, as you have less control over whether the target page still exists. If an external link is broken, you should either find an alternative or remove it.

Open communication with your users and search engines is also a decisive factor. Inform visitors about changes, for example through notifications or banners, when content has been moved. You can signal to search engines that the structure has changed by updating your sitemap. This minimizes the likelihood of Google encountering an Http error 404.

In the long term, a good maintenance routine will help you to prevent 404 errors. Schedule regular checks and use monitoring tools that provide you with reports on faulty pages. This way, you ensure that your website always remains error-free and users have a positive experience - without encountering an error message or a 404 error.

Frequently asked questions

What does the error "404 Page not found" mean?

The error "404 page not found" means that the requested resource - be it a page, an image or a file - is not available on the server. The web server returns the HTTP status code 404 to inform the browser that the requested URL was not found.

How can I fix the error 404?

To fix a 404 error, you can take the following measures:

  1. Check the URL for typos or outdated links.
  2. Set up a 301 redirect if the content has been moved.
  3. Restore deleted content if it is still needed. Tools such as the Google Search Console will help you to identify the faulty pages.

Where does the error 404 come from?

An Http error 404 occurs when a user or a search engine attempts to access a URL that no longer exists on the server. Common causes are deleted content, broken links or incorrectly configured servers.

Are "404 error", "error 404", "http error 404" and "error 404 not found" the same thing?

Yes, these terms all mean the same thing. They describe that a page or resource on your website was not found. The differences in the terms, such as Error 404 not found or Error 404 not found, are only in the language or spelling.

How do 404 errors affect SEO?

404 errors can have a negative impact on your SEO, as they are a signal to search engines that your website is not well maintained. This can lead to poorer rankings. You can minimize such effects with regular maintenance and redirects.

About the author
Manuel Kühn

When he's not working out at the gym, he's probably writing new content and implementing SEO strategies.

Rock your online store content!

Better rankings & more sales through perfect content for your target group

Download now for free
Manuel Kühn

When he's not working out at the gym, he's probably writing new content and implementing SEO strategies.

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