How to Fix WordPress Posts Returning 404 Error

If your WordPress posts are returning a 404 error, there are several potential fixes you can try:

1. Check Permalinks Settings:
   • Go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard.
   • Try changing the permalink structure to a different option and then save the changes.
   • Switch it back to your original setting and save again. This often refreshes the permalink settings and fixes the issue.
2. Update .htaccess File:
   • Access your website’s root directory using an FTP client or file manager.
   • Find the .htaccess file and back it up before making changes.
   • Edit the .htaccess file and replace its content with the following default WordPress rules:
     perl

     Copy code

     # BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
</IfModule>
# END WordPress

   • Save the file and upload it back to your server.
3. Deactivate Plugins:
   • Sometimes, a plugin conflict can cause 404 errors. Deactivate all plugins and check if the issue is resolved.
   • If it is, reactivate your plugins one by one to identify the culprit.
4. Switch to a Default Theme:
   • Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-One).
   • If this resolves the issue, there might be a problem with your current theme.
5. Check for Page and Post Slugs:
   • Ensure that the slugs (URLs) of your posts and pages are correct and don’t conflict with other posts, pages, or custom post types.
6. Check for Custom Post Types and Taxonomies:
   • If you’re using custom post types or taxonomies, ensure they are properly registered and don’t conflict with built-in WordPress types.
7. Clear Caches:
   • If you use caching plugins or server-side caching, clear all caches to ensure you’re not seeing a cached version of the error.
8. Check Server Settings:
   • Ensure your server is configured correctly to handle URL rewriting and that the mod_rewrite module is enabled.
9. Verify File and Directory Permissions:
   • Ensure that the file permissions for your WordPress files and directories are set correctly, usually 755 for directories and 644 for files.
10. Consult Error Logs:
    • Check your server’s error logs for any specific error messages that might give you a clue about what’s causing the issue.

If none of these steps work, you might need to contact your hosting provider for further assistance.