Troubleshooting Common Website Errors (404, 500)
Encountering website errors can be frustrating, but many common issues have straightforward solutions. This guide will help you diagnose and fix 404 Not Found and 500 Internal Server errors on your HostMaji website.
404 Not Found Error
A 404 error means the server cannot find the requested resource. This often happens when a page has been moved or deleted, or a URL is mistyped.
Common Causes & Solutions:
- Incorrect URL: Double-check the URL for typos.
- Missing File/Page: Ensure the file or page you are trying to access actually exists in the correct directory on your server. Use FTP or CyberPanel File Manager to verify.
- Broken Permalinks (WordPress): If you're using WordPress, go to "Settings" > "Permalinks" in your WordPress admin dashboard and simply click "Save Changes" without making any modifications. This often re-flushes the rewrite rules.
- Incorrect .htaccess rules: A misconfigured
.htaccess
file can cause 404 errors. If you recently made changes, try reverting them or temporarily renaming the.htaccess
file to something like.htaccess_old
to see if the error resolves.
500 Internal Server Error
A 500 error is a generic message indicating that something went wrong on the server, but the server couldn't be more specific. This is usually a server-side issue, often related to PHP scripts or .htaccess
files.
Common Causes & Solutions:
- Incorrect File Permissions: Files and folders on your server need correct permissions. For most files, 644 is appropriate, and for folders, 755. You can change these using an FTP client or CyberPanel File Manager.
- Syntax Errors in .htaccess: A single typo or incorrect directive in your
.htaccess
file can cause a 500 error. Check your.htaccess
file for any recent changes. Temporarily rename it to isolate the issue. - PHP Memory Limit: If your script is consuming too much memory, it can lead to a 500 error. You might need to increase the PHP memory limit. This can often be done via CyberPanel settings or by editing your
php.ini
file. - Corrupt Core Files (WordPress): If you suspect WordPress core files are corrupted, try re-uploading fresh copies of WordPress core files (excluding
wp-content
andwp-config.php
). - Plugin/Theme Conflicts (WordPress): A newly installed or updated plugin/theme can cause conflicts. Try deactivating all plugins and switching to a default theme. If the error resolves, reactivate them one by one to find the culprit.
If you've tried these steps and are still facing issues, please contact HostMaji support with details of the error and any recent changes you made.