How To Fix HostGator 404 Page Not Found? (Quick)

Have you ever encountered the frustrating “404 Page Not Found” error on your website hosted with HostGator? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

It’s like looking for your favorite pair of socks, only to realize they vanished into thin air. Frustrating, I know! However, fear not, for web developers have cleverly designed these error pages to guide lost souls like us back on track. So, the next time you encounter a 404 error, take a deep breath, giggle it off, and let the internet wizards work their magic to reunite you with your desired page.

After all, even in the vastness of the online world, the occasional detour can lead to exciting new discoveries! In this article, we will discuss why you might be experiencing this error and provide simple and effective solutions to fix it. So, let’s dive in and get your website back on track!

First: Sign Up For HostGator Web Hosting

If you’ve already bought web hosting from HostGator, you can skip this step and proceed with the other technical steps below.

If you’ve not yet purchased web hosting, then let’s do it with a 70% exclusive discount (for a limited time). To grab your discount, You will need to use our promo link. This is an exclusive discount for our blog readers. I’m sure you don’t want to miss it.

HostGator is offering a wide range of web hosting services. If you’re just getting started, I would recommend grabbing a shared hosting plan. Baby plan suits me very well and allows me to host unlimited domains.

Visit HostGator.com (70% OFF)

Understanding the 404 Error

Before we delve into the solutions, let’s first understand what the “404 Page Not Found” error means. When a visitor tries to access a page on your website, the server responds with a status code. In the case of a 404 error, it means that the requested page could not be found on the server.

• How To Change HostGator Favicon? (Quick & Easy)
• Do I Need SiteLock with HostGator? (Quick)

This error can occur due to various reasons, such as:

1. Broken or incorrect links pointing to non-existent pages.
2. The page has been removed or renamed without proper redirection.
3. Issues with the server configuration.

Now that we know the possible causes, let’s explore the solutions to fix the HostGator 404 error.

Solution 1: Check Your Links

One of the most common reasons for a 404 error is broken or incorrect links. It’s crucial to review all the links on your website and ensure they are correctly formatted and leading to valid pages. Use an online link checker tool or the search function on your website to identify any broken links.

Once you have identified the broken links, update them with the correct URLs or remove them altogether. Don’t forget to check external links, including social media profiles and backlinks from other websites.

Solution 2: Implement Redirection

If you have recently removed or renamed a page on your website, it’s essential to implement a proper redirection strategy. This ensures that visitors who try to access the old URL are automatically redirected to the new or relevant page.

HostGator provides a user-friendly interface called cPanel, which makes it easy to set up redirects. Simply log in to your cPanel account, navigate to the “Redirects” section, and enter the old URL and the new destination. Choose the appropriate redirection type (301 or 302) and save the changes. This will help eliminate the 404 error for the affected pages.

Solution 3: Check Hosting Configuration

In some cases, the “404 Page Not Found” error can be a result of incorrect server configuration. HostGator offers a range of hosting options, including shared hosting, VPS, and dedicated servers. If you are using shared hosting, it’s possible that there might be an issue with the server settings affecting your website.

Contact HostGator’s support team and explain the situation. They will be able to investigate the issue and provide you with the necessary guidance to fix the hosting configuration.

Solution 4: Review Your .htaccess File

The .htaccess file is a powerful configuration file that allows you to customize various aspects of your website’s functionality. Sometimes, an incorrect configuration in the .htaccess file can lead to a 404 error.

• How To Fix Hidden HTaccess file in BlueHost?
• How To Access SiteGround HTaccess File? (Quick)

Access your website’s file manager through the cPanel interface and locate the .htaccess file. Make a backup of the file before making any changes. Open the file and carefully review its content for any incorrect settings or conflicting rules. Remove or modify any problematic lines and save the file. Refresh your website and check if the 404 error is resolved.

Solution 5: Clear Browser Cache

In some cases, the 404 error might be caused by outdated or cached information in the visitor’s web browser. Clearing the browser cache can help resolve this issue.

Ask your visitors to clear their browser cache by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Command + Shift + Delete (Mac). This action clears any stored information related to your website and forces the browser to fetch the latest version of the page. This simple step can often fix the 404 error for your visitors.

Conclusion

Encountering a “404 Page Not Found” error on your HostGator-hosted website can be frustrating, but with the right solutions, you can quickly resolve the issue. By checking your links, implementing proper redirection, reviewing your hosting configuration, reviewing the .htaccess file, and clearing browser caches, you can effectively fix the HostGator 404 error.

• Cloudways vs Bluehost: Which Hosting Provider to Choose?
• How To Point GoDaddy Domain To Bluehost? (Quick)

Remember, if you encounter any difficulties during the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to HostGator’s knowledgeable support team. They are always there to assist you and ensure your website is running smoothly.

Don’t let a 404 error hinder your website’s performance. Take action today and provide your visitors with an exceptional browsing experience!