Why You May See a 404 Page Not Found Error

What This Is

A 404 Page Not Found error means the website could not find the page you were trying to visit.

In most cases, this does not mean the entire website is down. It usually means the specific page URL is incorrect, outdated, unpublished, or no longer exists.


Why This Happens

A 404 error typically occurs when a link points to a page that cannot currently be found on the website.

Common causes include:

  • The page was deleted
  • The page was unpublished
  • The page URL was changed
  • The link contains a typo
  • A product or category was removed
  • A saved bookmark points to an old page
  • A menu item or button links to an outdated destination

This is one of the most common website errors and is usually related to broken or outdated links rather than server failures.


Common Situations That Cause 404 Errors

Deleted or Unpublished Pages

If a page is removed or unpublished, any old links pointing to it will stop working.

This commonly happens with:

  • Seasonal pages
  • Temporary promotions
  • Deleted products
  • Old category pages
  • Custom landing pages
  • Changed URLs

Changing a page name or URL can break existing links.

For example:

  • Menu links
  • Buttons
  • Shared social media links
  • Google indexed pages
  • Saved bookmarks

If links still point to the old URL, visitors may see a 404 error.


Product or Category Removal

If a rental item or category is deleted, older product links may no longer work.

This is especially common when:

  • Inventory is removed permanently
  • Categories are reorganized
  • Products are hidden from the website

See: How to Edit Product Information in BRS


Typing Errors in Links

Sometimes the problem is simply an incorrect URL.

Extra characters, missing slashes, spelling mistakes, or copied links with formatting issues can all create 404 errors.


What To Check First

If you encounter a 404 error while editing your website:

  • Check the URL carefully for spelling errors
  • Confirm the destination page still exists
  • Verify the page is published and active
  • Review any menu items or buttons linked to the page
  • Confirm products or categories have not been deleted or hidden

If you recently changed a page URL, update all links pointing to the old version.


Important Notes

A 404 error usually affects only one specific page, not the entire website.

This means:

  • Your website may still be online normally
  • Other pages may continue working correctly
  • The issue is often isolated to a broken link or missing page

Repeated 404 errors across many pages may indicate larger website organization or link management problems.


Best Practices

To reduce 404 errors:

  • Avoid changing URLs unnecessarily
  • Double-check menu and button links after edits
  • Remove outdated links from old pages
  • Keep product and category organization consistent
  • Test important pages after making website changes

Poor link management creates a bad customer experience and can negatively affect SEO over time.


When to Contact Support

If the issue continues, contact support and include:

  • The exact URL showing the 404 error
  • Where you clicked from
  • What page you expected to see
  • Any screenshots if available

This helps support quickly determine whether the issue is caused by:

  • A broken link
  • A missing page
  • A configuration problem
  • An unpublished or deleted page