Last updated December 5th, 2023 23:55
From time to time, the URL structure in WordPress may break. You can easily identify this issue on your website when you encounter a 404 error every time you click on a link. This can be frustrating, especially if you are unaware that fixing this error can be relatively straightforward. All you need to do is regenerate the permalink structure. I dare say that this solution resolves approximately 90% of cases involving malfunctioning URLs. The remaining 10% may be attributed to other errors, such as SSL certificate problems or others. In this guide, I will show you how to easily regenerate permalinks in WordPress using a simple method.
Why does WordPress break the permalink structure?
The answer is not straightforward as there can be multiple factors contributing to this issue. It could be caused by a WordPress update, installation of a new plugin, or changes in settings. Another aspect could involve modifying the .htaccess file via FTP. You may add rules to it yourself, or it could be incorrectly modified by any plugin you use. Nevertheless, we must accept the fact that this can happen in WordPress, affecting anyone.
How to easily regenerate permalinks in WordPress
If you encounter a situation where, upon clicking a link, WordPress displays a 404 error instead of the intended content, follow these steps without panicking:
- Click on “Settings” in the left menu.
- From the submenu, select “Permalinks.”
- WordPress will display various permalink structures you can choose from.
- Select “Plain” from the options.
- Save the changes.
- Once the changes are saved, revert back to your original permalink structure in the settings.
- Save the changes again.
By initially changing the permalink format to “Plain” and then reverting back to your original structure, WordPress will regenerate the permalinks, ensuring a proper URL structure. As mentioned earlier, this simple action resolves the problem in the vast majority of cases.
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