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Add a Custom 404 Page in WordPress

A custom 404 error page improves user experience by guiding visitors who land on a broken or non-existent page. Instead of showing a generic error, you can redirect them to helpful content, search options, or your homepage.

Method 1: Using a Plugin (Easy & Recommended)​

Step 1: Install a 404 Page Plugin

  1. Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Plugins → Add New.
  3. Search for “404page – your smart custom 404 error page”.
  4. Click Install Now, then Activate the plugin.

Step 2: Create a Custom 404 Page

  1. Go to Pages → Add New.

  2. Name the page “404 - Page Not Found”.

  3. Add a message like:

    "Oops! The page you're looking for doesn’t exist. Try searching or go back to the homepage."

  4. Add a search bar, homepage link, or popular posts section.

  5. Click Publish.

Step 3: Set It as the Default 404 Page

  1. Go to Appearance → 404 Error Page (from the plugin settings).
  2. Select the page you just created.
  3. Click Save Changes.

Method 2: Manually Editing the 404.php File (For Developers)​

Step 1: Access Your Theme Files

  1. Go to Appearance → Theme File Editor.
  2. Select 404.php from the right panel.

Step 2: Edit the File

Replace the existing code with:

<?php get_header(); ?> <div class="error-page"> <h1>Oops! Page Not Found</h1> <p>Sorry, the page you are looking for doesn’t exist.</p> <a href="<?php echo home_url(); ?>">Return to Homepage</a> </div> <?php get_footer(); ?>

Step 3: Save and Test

  • Click Update File and visit a non-existent URL (e.g., yourwebsite.com/randompage).
  • Your custom 404 page should now appear!

Which Method Should You Choose?​

  • Use a plugin if you want a quick and easy way to set up a custom 404 page.
  • Manually edit the 404.php file if you prefer a lightweight solution without extra plugins.