Fix WordPress Permalinks and Broken URLs in Rutledge

When WordPress pages suddenly return 404 errors, do not start by renaming slugs.

First determine whether the pages still exist and whether WordPress or the web server is failing to route the expected URLs correctly.

Check the pattern of failure

Ask:

• Does every inner page fail?
• Does only one content type fail?
• Did the problem start after a migration or update?
• Does the homepage still work?
• Were permalink settings recently changed?

The pattern can distinguish a routing problem from a missing page.

Review permalink and rewrite behavior

WordPress pretty permalinks depend on rewrite configuration.

On Apache, WordPress commonly uses .htaccess rules. On Nginx, rewrite behavior is configured at the server level because Nginx does not use .htaccess.

Saving the Permalinks settings can regenerate or flush WordPress rewrite rules in environments where WordPress has the necessary access, but repeated failure means the underlying cause still needs investigation.

Avoid unnecessary URL changes

Do not switch structures or rewrite slugs merely because a page is returning a 404.

Changing a working historical URL can create another migration problem on top of the routing problem.

Restore expected routing first.

Map intentional changes

If URLs genuinely changed during a redesign or migration, redirect old addresses to their closest real replacements.

Do not send every missing page to the homepage.

Verify representative URLs

After repair, test important pages, nested routes, custom content types where used, and old URLs that should redirect.

For a related next step, see Fix a Broken WordPress Theme in Brashear and Fix WordPress Email and Contact-Form Delivery Problems in Wayland.

For authoritative guidance on this subject, see Google's guidance on site moves.

See Also

• Fix WordPress Pages That Suddenly Show Errors in Lancaster

Switchboard can help Rutledge and Northeast Missouri WordPress owners separate permalink, rewrite, and migration problems before making additional URL changes.