Are you facing issues with 404 pages on your WordPress site? A 404 page means the page was not found. It can cause problems for your visitors. They may leave your site if they see a 404 page. This is not good for your website.

A simple solution is to redirect the 404 page to your home page. This guide will help you learn how to do it. The steps are easy to follow. You do not need to be a tech expert. Let’s start!

Credit: www.wpbeginner.com

Why Redirect 404 Pages to the Home Page?

There are several reasons to redirect 404 pages to the home page:

• It improves user experience. Visitors stay on your site.
• It helps with SEO. Search engines like user-friendly sites.
• You can keep users engaged. They can find other content.

Method 1: Using a Plugin

The easiest way to redirect 404 pages is to use a plugin. WordPress has many plugins for this task. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Install And Activate The Plugin

First, you need to install a plugin. We recommend using the “404 to 301” plugin.

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Click on “Plugins” on the left menu.
3. Click “Add New.”
4. Search for “404 to 301” in the search bar.
5. Click “Install Now.”
6. After installing, click “Activate.”

Step 2: Configure The Plugin

Now, you need to set up the plugin.

1. Go to “Settings” on the left menu.
2. Click on “404 to 301.”
3. In the “Redirect 404 pages to” section, select “Home Page.”
4. Click “Save Changes.”

Your 404 pages will now redirect to the home page.

Method 2: Using .htaccess File

Another way to redirect 404 pages is by editing the .htaccess file. This method is a bit advanced. Be careful while editing this file.

Step 1: Access The .htaccess File

You need to access your website files. Use an FTP client or your hosting control panel.

1. Connect to your website using an FTP client.
2. Find the .htaccess file in your website’s root directory.
3. Download the file to your computer as a backup.

Step 2: Edit The .htaccess File

Now, you need to add a redirect rule.

1. Open the .htaccess file using a text editor.
2. Add the following code at the end of the file:

            # Redirect 404 to Home Page
            ErrorDocument 404 /index.php
        

Save the file and upload it back to your website.

Step 3: Test The Redirect

Visit a non-existing page on your site. It should redirect to the home page.

Method 3: Editing the 404.php File

You can also edit the 404.php file in your theme. This method is simple. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Access The 404.php File

You need to find the 404.php file in your theme folder.

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Click on “Appearance” on the left menu.
3. Click on “Theme Editor.”
4. Find and click on the 404.php file.

Step 2: Edit The 404.php File

Add the following code at the top of the file:

php
            header("HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently");
            header("Location: " . get_bloginfo('url'));
            exit();
            ?

Save the changes.

Step 3: Test The Redirect

Visit a non-existing page on your site. It should redirect to the home page.

Credit: qodeinteractive.com

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Redirect 404 Page To The Home Page In WordPress?

You can use a plugin or edit the. htaccess file. Both methods work well.

Which Plugin Can I Use To Redirect 404 To The Home Page?

Redirection and All 404 Redirect to Homepage are popular plugins for this.

Is It Hard To Redirect A 404 Page In WordPress?

No, it’s simple. Use a plugin or a few lines of code.

Why Should I Redirect 404 Pages To The Home Page?

It improves user experience and keeps visitors on your site.

Conclusion

Redirecting 404 pages to the home page is important. It helps keep visitors on your site. It also improves your site’s SEO. You can use a plugin, edit the .htaccess file, or edit the 404.php file. Choose the method that suits you best.

We hope this guide was helpful. Now, you can easily redirect 404 pages to the home page in WordPress. Thank you for reading!