When a user tries to access a page, the 404 error is displayed when the page cannot be found. It is linked to the return by the server of an HTTP error code. This happens when the server searches for the page but cannot find it. There are two causes of this 404 error code: the page does not exist or the page no longer exists.
The messages that are displayed differ depending on the browser used even if they all have the same meaning. For example, you may encounter the following messages:
- 404 Not Found
- The requested URL was not found in this server
- HTTP 404
- HTTP 404 Not Found
- 404 File or Directory Not Found
The 404 error can be caused by several factors, including:
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Broken or Incorrect URLs: If you've mistyped the URL in the browser's address bar or if the link you followed is incorrect, you'll encounter a 404 error.
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Deleted or Moved Pages: If the web page you're trying to reach has been deleted or moved to another URL without proper redirection, you'll also receive a 404 error.
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Server Issues: Sometimes, the web server itself may encounter problems, preventing it from delivering the requested page. This could be due to server configuration errors, traffic overload, or hardware failures.
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Network Connection Problems: If your internet connection is unstable or if the server is unreachable for any reason, you might also encounter a 404 error.
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Blocked by Firewall or Security Software: Some firewalls or security software may block access to certain web pages, resulting in a 404 error.
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Programming Errors: In some cases, programming errors on the web page itself can lead to the display of a 404 error, such as if the link to a resource is incorrectly specified in the HTML code.
Here are some technical solutions to address a 404 error:
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Check the URL: Make sure the URL you entered is correct and complete. Try typing it manually to ensure there are no typos.
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Refresh the page: Sometimes, a 404 error can be caused by a temporary issue on the server. By refreshing the page (by pressing F5 or clicking the browser's refresh button), you can often resolve the problem.
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Search for the page: Use a search engine to look for the page you're trying to access. It's possible that the page has been moved or renamed.
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Check internal links: If you encounter a 404 error while browsing a specific website, check if internal links are working correctly. If the links are broken, contact the site administrator to report the issue.
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Contact the site administrator: If you encounter a 404 error on a specific website repeatedly, it's possible that the issue is related to the site's server. In this case, contact the site administrator to report the problem and ask for assistance.
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Check firewall or security software settings: If you encounter a 404 error while trying to access a specific site, check your firewall or security software settings to ensure they're not blocking access to the site.