404 Error Page (2024)

FAQs

What is a 404 error page? ›

A 404 page is also known as an “error page” or “Page Not Found” page. This page indicates that the user reached the domain they requested, but the URL path provided no information. If that sentence made your eyes glaze over, you're not alone.

The 404 Not Found error might appear for several reasons even though no real issue exists, so sometimes a simple refresh will often load the page you were looking for. Check for errors in the URL. Often times this error appears because the URL was typed wrong or the link selected points to the wrong URL.

In general, a 404 Error indicates that the browser or application attempted to connect to a resource on a server that could not be found. Provide detailed steps to successfully implement the solution or workaround for the problem.

The answer is no. A 404 error doesn't necessarily mean you were blocked from accessing the page. It simply means that the requested page is unavailable or doesn't exist.

404 error codes are generated when a user attempts to access a webpage that does not exist, has been moved, or has a dead or broken link. The 404 error code is one of the most frequent errors a web user encounters. Servers are required to respond to client requests, such as when a user attempts to visit a webpage.

The typical trigger for an error 404 message is when website content has been removed or moved to another URL. There are also other reasons why an error message could appear. These include: The URL or its content (such as files or images) was either deleted or moved (without adjusting any internal links accordingly)

A: 404 errors are a perfectly normal part of the web; the Internet is always changing, new content is born, old content dies, and when it dies it (ideally) returns a 404 HTTP response code. Search engines are aware of this; we have 404 errors on our own sites, as you can see above, and we find them all over the web.

Who is responsible for 404 error? ›

An HTTP error 404 occurs when the web server cannot find a resource (like a webpage) at a certain URL. This can happen if: The user has used the wrong page URL, e.g., by making a typo in it. The website owner has deleted the resource and it's no longer available on the server.

The first documented case of a 404 error appearing on a web page was in 1993, when a user tried to access a page about the Mosaic web browser on the NCSA website. The page had been moved to a different location, but the link had not been updated.

The HTTP 404 Not Found response status code indicates that the server cannot find the requested resource. Links that lead to a 404 page are often called broken or dead links and can be subject to link rot.

Start by refreshing the page and double-checking the URL (typos are more common than you think). If you're still getting a 404 error, try accessing the link on another device. If you can see the page, the problem may be with your computer's cache.

Google Search Console provides a list of every 404 error Googlebot finds on your site. This includes both hard 404s and soft 404s. Login to the Search Console, click Coverage, and select the Excluded tab. You'll see a list of hard 404 errors marked Not found (404) and soft 404 errors marked Soft 404.

A 404 error page should always include the following: A clear message that lets visitors know that the requested page doesn't exist. A call to action (CTA) that keeps users on your site or directs them where you want them to go. An introduction to your brand's voice through the page's text or images.

This standard HTTP error message code signals the website you were trying to reach couldn't be found on the server. It's a client-side error, meaning either the webpage was removed or moved, and the URL wasn't changed accordingly, or the person just typed in the URL incorrectly.