What is a 404 error?Have you ever tried to visit a website and ended up on a page that says “404 Not Found”? It can be annoying, right? You hoped to find something important but see an error message instead.
This blog will help you understand what a 404 error is, why it happens, and how you can fix it. Ultimately, you’ll know exactly what to do when encountering this error.
What Is a 404 Error?
A 404 error is a common message you see on the internet. It means that the page you are looking for is not available. This error tells you that the website’s server could not find the page you wanted to see. It’s like trying to open a door in your house, but the door is missing. You know it should be there, but you can’t find it.

When you type a URL or click a link, your computer asks the website’s server to show the page. If the server cannot find the page, it returns a “404 Not Found” error. The website doesn’t know where the page is or it may not exist anymore.
Why Does a 404 Error Happen?
There are several reasons why you might see a 404 error. Here are the most common ones:
- The page has been removed: Sometimes, the website owner deletes a page because it’s old or no longer needed. When this happens, the link to that page stops working, and you see a 404 error.
- The page has been moved: Sometimes, website owners change the location of a page but forget to update the links. As a result, clicking on an old link can lead to a 404 error.
- The URL is incorrect: If you type a web address (URL) incorrectly, even with a small mistake, you might end up on a 404 error page. For example, missing one letter or symbol can lead to this error.
- Broken links: Links can break for many reasons. When websites update or change, they might not fix all their links, which can lead to 404 errors.
- Server problems: In rare cases, a server might be down or having issues, making it impossible to find the page.
How to Fix a 404 Error As a Visitor
If you come across a 404 error while browsing the web, here are some simple steps to try:
Check the URL: Make sure you typed the web address correctly. Look for any spelling mistakes, missing letters, or extra spaces. Sometimes, fixing one small mistake can solve the problem.
Refresh the page: Click the refresh button on your browser or press F5 on your keyboard. This action will try loading the page again. Sometimes, a temporary problem causes the error, and refreshing the page can fix it.
Go back to the previous page: If you clicked on a link that led to a 404 error, try going back to the previous page and clicking the link again. Sometimes, the page might work on the second try.
Use the search bar: If the website has a search bar, try searching for the information you need. This method can help you find the correct page if it has moved to a new location.
Visit the Homepage: Go back to the website’s homepage and look for the information from there. Many websites have a menu or a sitemap that can guide you to the right place.
Clear the browser cache or cookies: A 404 error can happen because your browser’s cache or cookies are outdated or corrupted. Clearing them can often fix the problem.
Related read: Step-by-step Guide: How to Clear Cookies on Computer?
How to Fix a 404 Error as a Website Owner
If you own a website, it’s important to fix 404 errors to keep your visitors happy. Here are some steps you can take to solve the problem:
Check for broken links: Go through your website and check if any links are broken. You can use online tools like “Broken Link Checker” to find these issues. Once you find them, update or remove the broken links.
Set up redirects: If you’ve moved a page to a new location, set up a 301 redirect. A 301 redirect automatically sends visitors to the new page when they click on the old link. This way, they won’t see a 404 error.
Restore deleted pages: If you accidentally deleted a page, you can restore it to avoid the 404 error. If you don’t want to bring back the old page, set up a redirect to a similar page instead.
Create a custom 404 page: Sometimes, 404 errors are unavoidable. You can create a custom 404 page that helps visitors find what they’re looking for. A good 404 page should be friendly, informative, and link to other parts of your website.
What Makes a Friendly Custom 404 Page
A custom 404 page is a special page that appears when someone encounters a 404 error on your website. It’s a great way to help visitors find what they need, even if they hit a broken link. Here’s what a good custom 404 page should include:
- A friendly message: Let your visitors know that they’ve hit a dead end, but be polite about it. For example, you can say, “Oops! This page doesn’t exist, but we’re here to help.”
- Search bar: Add a search bar so visitors can search for the information they’re looking for.
- Links to important pages: Include links to your homepage, like: https://lightningxvpn.com/, contact page, or other important sections of your website. This way, visitors can easily navigate to another part of your site.
- An image or graphic: Adding a fun image or graphic can make the 404-error page less annoying for visitors. It shows that you care about their experience.
What’s the Difference Between 404 Error and 403 Error?
The main difference between a 404 error and a 403 error lies in the access permissions and the availability of the requested resource. Here’s a clear comparison:
Common causes | User implication | |
404 Error (Not Found) | 1. The page has been deleted or moved. 2. The URL is mistyped. 3. A broken link is pointing to a non-existent page. | The requested page is simply not available, and there’s no further action you can take on this specific URL. |
403 Error (Forbidden) | 1. You lack the required permissions or authentication to access the resource. 2. The website owner has restricted access to certain users. 3. The page is protected by security settings or firewall rules. | The page exists, but you are not authorized to access it, even if you have the correct URL. |
Key Difference: 404 Error: The page doesn’t exist on the server. 403 Error: The page exists, but you’re not allowed to access it. |
FAQs – What is a 404 Error?
1. Can I Fix a 404 Error on Someone Else’s Website?
No, you can’t fix a 404 error on another person’s website. However, you can try contacting the website owner to let them know about the broken link.
2. Will Using a VPN Help Bypass 404 Errors?
No, a VPN cannot bypass 404 errors since these errors occur when the page or resource doesn’t exist on the server. However, if the error is due to regional restrictions, switching to a different VPN server might help you access the correct version of the page.
LightningX VPN excels at bypassing geo-restriction. It provides 2000+ servers in more than 50 countries. It means you can enjoy a localized network experience and access to unblocked websites, no matter where you are when you use it.

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Conclusion
The “404 Not Found” error is common, but it doesn’t have to be a big problem. Now you know what a 404 error is, why it happens, and how to fix it. If you’re a website visitor, follow the simple steps to find the page you need. If you’re a website owner, take action to prevent and fix 404 errors. Remember, errors happen, but with the right steps, you can handle them easily!