Why Are Your WordPress Permalinks Broken?
Are you seeing a 404 error when trying to access your WordPress pages? Do your links suddenly stop working after an update or migration? You’re not alone—WordPress permalinks not working is one of the most common issues WordPress users face.
WordPress uses permalinks to generate URLs for your posts and pages. When these links break, it can disrupt your entire website, affecting both user experience and SEO rankings. Luckily, fixing broken permalinks is usually straightforward. In this guide, we’ll cover the most common causes and provide step-by-step solutions that even beginners can follow.
Quick Fix: Try These Steps First
If you’re in a hurry, try these steps before diving into the full troubleshooting guide:
- Reset Permalink Settings: Go to Settings → Permalinks, change to a different structure, save, then switch back and save again.
- Check .htaccess File: Ensure it exists and contains the correct WordPress rules (see below for details).
- Disable Plugins: Turn off all plugins and reactivate them one by one to identify conflicts.
- Clear Cache: Remove any cached versions of your site from both WordPress and your browser.
If none of these steps work, proceed with the detailed troubleshooting below.
What Causes WordPress Permalinks to Stop Working?
Several factors can lead to broken permalinks in WordPress. Understanding these will help you troubleshoot and fix them quickly.
1. Plugin Conflicts
Some WordPress plugins, particularly security, caching, and SEO plugins, modify your .htaccess file or interfere with permalink settings. If your permalinks stopped working right after installing or updating a plugin, this is likely the issue.
2. WordPress Updates
When WordPress releases a new version, it sometimes alters how URLs are handled. If your .htaccess file doesn’t update correctly, it can break permalinks.
3. Site Migration or Domain Changes
Moving your website to a new host or domain can lead to issues if the database or file settings aren’t updated correctly. If you’ve recently migrated your WordPress site and are facing permalink problems, this could be the cause.
4. Corrupted .htaccess File
The .htaccess file is essential for directing how WordPress handles URLs. If it gets deleted, corrupted, or modified incorrectly, your permalinks may stop working.
5. Server Configuration Issues: Apache vs. NGINX
WordPress runs on different types of web servers, mainly Apache and NGINX. Most hosting providers use Apache by default, but some use NGINX, which requires different configurations. To check which server type your hosting provider uses:
- Log in to your cPanel or hosting control panel and look for server details in the dashboard.
- Use a tool like BuiltWith or Google Chrome DevTools (Network tab) to check the server response headers.
- If unsure, contact your hosting provider and ask them whether your server is running Apache or NGINX.
If your site is hosted on an Apache server, certain modules (like mod_rewrite) need to be enabled for permalinks to function correctly. If you’re on NGINX, permalink settings must be configured differently.
Additional Troubleshooting Steps
If the previous solutions didn’t work, try these additional steps:
1. Repair Your Database
Sometimes permalink issues arise due to database corruption. You can attempt a repair:
- Visit:
yoursite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php - Click “Repair Database” or “Repair and Optimize Database”
- Retry accessing your links.
2. Manually Flush Rewrite Rules
You can also flush rewrite rules manually by adding this snippet to your theme’s functions.php file:
flush_rewrite_rules();Then save the file, refresh your site, and remove the code after confirming the fix.
3. Check for Redirect Loops
If you see “Too Many Redirects” errors, your permalinks might be conflicting with another redirect rule. Test your site in incognito mode or disable any redirect-related plugins.
Fix Permalinks with One Click: Downloadable Script
For an instant fix, you can use our one-click Fix Permalinks Script, which will automatically:
- Reset permalinks
- Regenerate the
.htaccessfile - Flush rewrite rules
📥 Download the Fix Permalinks Script
How to Use the Script:
- Download the script.
- Upload it to your WordPress root directory via FTP or File Manager.
- Run it by
visiting yoursite.com/fix-permalinks.phpin your browser. - Delete the script after use for security reasons.
This solution is ideal for those who want a quick, hands-off fix!
Prevent Future Permalink Issues
To avoid dealing with broken permalinks in the future, follow these best practices:
- Use a reliable backup plugin to restore previous permalink structures if needed.
- Limit unnecessary plugins, especially ones modifying URLs or redirects.
- Monitor your links in Google Search Console to catch broken URLs early.
- Avoid frequent permalink structure changes, as this can lead to SEO and indexing issues.
The Consequences of Not Fixing Broken Permalinks
Ignoring broken permalinks can severely impact your website. Here’s a quick overview of what happens if you don’t fix them:
| ✅ Fixing Permalinks | ❌ Ignoring Broken Permalinks |
|---|---|
| 🔍 SEO Boost – Search engines can properly index your pages, helping you rank higher. | 📉 SEO Damage – Search engines can’t index broken pages, leading to lower rankings. |
| 🏆 Better User Experience – Visitors can navigate your site smoothly. | 🚪 High Bounce Rate – Users leave your site if they encounter errors. |
| 📈 Increased Traffic – More indexed pages mean higher organic traffic. | 📉 Traffic Loss – Fewer indexed pages lead to reduced traffic. |
| 💰 Higher Revenue Potential – Functional links improve conversions and ad revenue. | 💸 Lost Revenue – Broken links reduce sales and ad clicks. |
| 🏅 Professional Site Reputation – A well-functioning site appears reliable. | 🚨 Poor Brand Image – A site with constant errors looks unprofessional. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are permalinks in WordPress?
Permalinks are the permanent URLs to your WordPress posts, pages, and categories. They help structure your website’s links and play a crucial role in SEO and user experience.
2. Why are my WordPress permalinks not working?
Permalinks may stop working due to plugin conflicts, updates, site migration, a corrupted .htaccess file, or incorrect server configurations.
3. How can I quickly fix broken WordPress permalinks?
You can try resetting permalink settings, regenerating the .htaccess file, disabling conflicting plugins, clearing cache, or using our one-click Fix Permalinks Script.
4. How do I regenerate my .htaccess file?
If the .htaccess file is missing or corrupted, you can recreate it by:
- Accessing your WordPress root directory via FTP or File Manager.
- Creating a new
.htaccessfile and pasting the default WordPress rewrite rules. - Saving the file and checking if the issue is resolved.
5. Can plugins cause WordPress permalinks to break?
Yes, some plugins—especially security, caching, and SEO plugins—can modify permalink settings or interfere with the .htaccess file, causing broken permalinks.
6. How do I use the Fix Permalinks Script?
- Download the script.
- Upload it to your WordPress root directory.
- Run it by visiting
yoursite.com/fix-permalinks.php. - Delete the script after use for security.
7. How can I prevent permalink issues in the future?
To avoid broken permalinks, regularly back up your site, limit unnecessary plugins, monitor Google Search Console for errors, and avoid frequent permalink structure changes.
Final Thoughts: Keep Your WordPress Permalinks Working
Fixing broken permalinks is crucial for keeping your site search engine friendly, user-friendly, and profitable. Ignoring the issue can harm SEO rankings, site traffic, and user trust. Luckily, most permalink problems can be solved in just a few minutes by resetting settings, fixing the .htaccess file, or checking for plugin conflicts.
If you prefer a faster solution, use our one-click Fix Permalinks Script. Keeping your permalinks healthy ensures your website runs smoothly and efficiently for both users and search engines—helping you avoid frustration and maintain a professional, high-performing website. 🚀