{"id":8584,"date":"2025-02-14T06:36:15","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T06:36:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/?p=8584"},"modified":"2026-02-12T10:32:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:32:39","slug":"fix-wordpress-permalinks-not-working","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/fix-wordpress-permalinks-not-working\/","title":{"rendered":"WordPress Permalinks Not Working: 3 Easy Ways to Fix Them"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Tut-097-1.webp\" alt=\"Header Text - WordPress Permalinks Not Working? \" title=\"Hosted\u00ae Tutorial - WordPress Permalinks Not Working: 3 Easy Ways to Fix Them\" class=\"wp-image-8593\" width=\"1200\" height=\"468\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Tut-097-1.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Tut-097-1-300x117.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Tut-097-1-1024x399.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Tut-097-1-768x300.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Tut-097-1-960x374.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Tut-097-1-603x235.webp 603w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Permalinks in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/hosting\/wordpress\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Website - WordPress Hosting\" title=\"Hosted.com - WordPress Hosting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WordPress<\/a> are the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/domain-vs-url\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Articles - Domain vs. URL - A Definitive Guide to Understanding Web Addresses\" title=\"Hosted.com - Domain vs. URL - A Definitive Guide to Understanding Web Addresses\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">web addresses (URLs)<\/a> for your posts, pages, and other content. People click on these to visit a specific part of your website. For example, if someone wants to go to the <strong>About Us<\/strong> page, the permalink may look like this: <em>yourwebsite.com\/about-us<\/em>. These links are important because they stay the same, making it easy for visitors and search engines to find your content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Good permalinks are essential for both navigation and SEO. A clear and simple URL helps search engines understand your page, which can improve your rankings. For visitors, clean permalinks make your site easier to browse and look more professional. Imagine visiting a site and seeing a confusing link like <em>yourwebsite.com\/?p=123<\/em>. It\u2019s not very inviting, right? That\u2019s why permalinks should be user-friendly and consistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But sometimes you may find WordPress permalinks not working. You may click on a link and get an error like <strong>404 Page Not Found<\/strong>. This can be frustrating for both you and your visitors. It can also hurt your site\u2019s reputation and SEO if search engines can\u2019t access your pages. So, fixing this problem quickly is important to keep your website accessible to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this guide, we look at how to fix broken permalinks in WordPress step by step and the common causes behind this problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\">KEY TAKEAWAYS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Permalinks in WordPress are important for making your site user-friendly and improving SEO.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Broken permalinks can cause 404 Page Not Found errors and hurt your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/hosting\/wordpress\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Website - WordPress Hosting\" title=\"Hosted.com - WordPress Hosting\">WordPress<\/a> site&#8217;s traffic and rankings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Resetting the permalink settings is a quick and simple fix for many permalink issues.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Replace or regenerate the .htaccess file to resolve problems caused by file corruption or accidental changes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Disabling all plugins and reactivating them individually can help you identify and fix conflicts affecting permalinks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Updates to WordPress core, themes, or plugins can sometimes disrupt permalinks, so always back up your site before updating.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Migrating your site to a new domain or server requires updating URLs and resetting permalinks to avoid broken links.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Always use reputable plugins and regularly update them to prevent conflicts with your permalink structure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regular backups are essential to recover from any permalink issues quickly and safely.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fixing permalink issues and learning how to update permalinks in WordPress ensures your site stays accessible, professional, and easy to navigate for users and search engines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\">\n<h3 class=\"h4\">TABLE OF CONTENTS<\/h3>\n<nav><ul>\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"#key-takeaways\">KEY TAKEAWAYS<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"#effective-methods-to-resolve-permalink-issues\">Effective Methods to Resolve Permalink Issues<\/a><ul>\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"#reset-word-press-permalinks-settings\">Reset WordPress Permalinks Settings<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"#replace-htaccess-file\">Replace .htaccess File<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"#disable-word-press-plugins\">Disable WordPress Plugins<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/li>\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"#why-are-my-word-press-permalinks-not-working\">Why Are My WordPress Permalinks Not Working?<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"#fa-qs\">FAQS<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"#other-tutorials-of-interest\">Other Tutorials of Interest<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h3\" id=\"effective-methods-to-resolve-permalink-issues\">Effective Methods To Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you find WordPress permalinks not working, you can fix this issue in the following ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reset Permalinks WordPress<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Replace<strong> .htaccess<\/strong> File<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Deactivate WordPress Plugins.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s start with the first and then continue with the other two approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"reset-permalinks-word-press-settings\">Reset WordPress Permalinks Settings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your WordPress Permalinks aren\u2019t working, one of the easiest methods to resolve the issue is to reset permalink settings. This process refreshes the URL structure of your WordPress website and can solve many common problems like broken links or 404 Page Not Found errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s a step-by-step guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/knowledgebase\/wordpress\/change-permalinks-wordpress\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com KBs - How To Change Permalinks In WordPress\" title=\"Hosted.com - How To Change Permalinks In WordPress\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">update permalinks WordPress settings:<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, sign in to your WordPress admin area. In the left-hand menu, look for <strong>Settings<\/strong> and click <strong>Permalinks<\/strong>. This will take you to the page where you can adjust your permalink structure.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-097-01.png\" alt=\"Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working - Access Permalinks Settings\" title=\"How To Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working: 3 Easy Ways to Fix Them - Access Permalinks Settings\" width=\"451\" height=\"214\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the <strong>Permalinks <\/strong>page, you\u2019ll see several options like <strong>Plain<\/strong>, <strong>Day and Name<\/strong>, <strong>Post Name<\/strong>, and more. Take note of your current setting (e.g., <strong>Post Name<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-097-02.png\" alt=\"Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working - Current Permalink Structure in WordPress\" title=\"How To Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working: 3 Easy Ways to Fix Them - Current Permalink Structure in WordPress\" width=\"1111\" height=\"533\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, temporarily select a different permalink structure. For example, if using <strong>Post Name<\/strong>, switch to <strong>Plain<\/strong> or choose another option. Next, scroll down and click <strong>Save Changes<\/strong>. This step tells WordPress to reset the URL structure.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-097-03.png\" alt=\"Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working - Change Permalink Structure\" title=\"How To Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working: 3 Easy Ways to Fix Them - Change Permalink Structure\" width=\"1108\" height=\"543\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-097-03a.png\" alt=\"Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working - Change Permalink Structure\" title=\"How To Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working: 3 Easy Ways to Fix Them - Change Permalink Structure\" width=\"1037\" height=\"288\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After that, return and re-select your original permalink structure (e.g., <strong>Post Name<\/strong> in our example) and click <strong>Save Changes<\/strong> again. This double-save action refreshes your permalinks entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-097-04.png\" alt=\"Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working - Revert to Original Permalink Structure\" title=\"How To Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working: 3 Easy Ways to Fix Them - Revert to Original Permalink Structure\" width=\"1091\" height=\"534\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-097-04a.png\" alt=\"Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working - Revert to Original Permalink Structure\" title=\"How To Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working: 3 Easy Ways to Fix Them - Revert to Original Permalink Structure\" width=\"1025\" height=\"282\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After resetting the permalinks, test a few pages or posts on your site to ensure everything works properly. If you still see errors, the issue may require further troubleshooting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"replace-htaccess-file\">Replace .htaccess File<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If resetting your permalinks doesn\u2019t fix the issue, the problem may be with your <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> file. This file is crucial in managing how your WordPress site handles URLs. However, if it\u2019s missing or has incorrect rules, your permalinks will not function properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, it can get corrupted or accidentally modified; this may also lead to WordPress Permalinks not working issue. In this case, replacing the <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> file can help resolve this issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s how you can locate and replace your <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> file step by step:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, you need access to your site\u2019s files to work with the <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> file. To do this use an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla) or the File Manager in your <a alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Articles - Navigating WordPress Hosting Control Panels - A Primer\" title=\"Hosted.com - Navigating WordPress Hosting Control Panels - A Primer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wordpress-hosting-control-panels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel)<\/a>. For this tutorial, we use the Hosted\u00ae control panel; however, if you wish to use FileZilla, you can refer to the following guide to connect to your WordPress website:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a alt=\"Link to Hosted.com KBs - How To Configure A Site In FileZilla\" title=\"Hosted.com - How To Configure A Site In FileZilla\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/knowledgebase\/hosting\/configure-a-site-in-filezilla\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How To Configure A Site In FileZilla<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Login to the Hosted\u00ae control panel (cPanel) and go to <strong>Files <\/strong>\u2192 <strong>File Manager<\/strong>. If you\u2019re new to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Website - Home Page\" title=\"Hosted.com - Home Page\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hosted\u00ae<\/a> you can refer to the following guide to see how to login to the Hosted cPanel:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/knowledgebase\/cpanel\/login-to-cpanel\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com KBs - How To Login To cPanel\" title=\"Hosted.com - How To Login To cPanel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How To Login To cPanel<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-097-05.png\" alt=\"Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working - Access File Manager\" title=\"How To Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working: 3 Easy Ways to Fix Them - Access File Manager\" width=\"664\" height=\"256\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next, look for the <strong>public_html<\/strong>, a root folder of your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/installing-wordpress-guide\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Articles - Installing WordPress - Step-by-Step Guide\" title=\"Hosted.com - Installing WordPress - Step-by-Step Guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WordPress installation<\/a>. Inside this root folder, look for a file named <strong>.htaccess<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-097-06.png\" alt=\"Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working - Locate .htaccess File in File Manager\" title=\"How To Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working: 3 Easy Ways to Fix Them - Locate .htaccess File in File Manager\" width=\"624\" height=\"370\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important: <\/strong>If you don\u2019t see the <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> file, ensure hidden files are visible. In cPanel File Manager, click <strong>Settings<\/strong> (in the top-right corner) and enable <strong>Show Hidden Files (dotfiles)<\/strong>. If using FileZilla, choose <strong>Force showing hidden files<\/strong> under the <strong>Server <\/strong>menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before making any modifications, create a backup of your current <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> file. To do this, right-click on the file and choose <strong>Download<\/strong> to save a copy on your PC. This ensures you can restore the original file if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-097-07.png\" alt=\"Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working - Download a Backup of .htaccess File\" title=\"How To Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working: 3 Easy Ways to Fix Them - Download a Backup of .htaccess File\" width=\"417\" height=\"247\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, you can replace it with a default version. To do this, right-click on your <strong>.htaccess <\/strong>file and choose <strong>Edit<\/strong>. This will open it in the cPanel\u2019s built-in editor.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-097-08.png\" alt=\"Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working - Open .htaccess File in Editor\" title=\"How To Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working: 3 Easy Ways to Fix Them - Open .htaccess File in Editor\" width=\"420\" height=\"247\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Write the following default <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> content and click <strong>Save Changes <\/strong>to save the file:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code># BEGIN WordPress\n&lt;IfModule mod_rewrite.c&gt;&nbsp;\nRewriteEngine On&nbsp;\nRewriteBase \/&nbsp;\nRewriteRule ^index.php$ - &#91;L]&nbsp;\nRewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f&nbsp;\nRewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d&nbsp;\nRewriteRule . \/index.php &#91;L]&nbsp;\n&lt;\/IfModule&gt;&nbsp;\n# END WordPress<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-097-09.png\" alt=\"Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working - Edit .htaccess File\" title=\"How To Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working: 3 Easy Ways to Fix Them - Edit .htaccess File\" width=\"941\" height=\"225\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important: <\/strong>If you\u2019re editing the <strong>.htaccess <\/strong>file locally, upload it to your root folder to replace the existing file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After replacing the file, return to your <a alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Tutorials - WordPress Admin Dashboard Tips for Accessing and Using WP Admin\" title=\"Hosted.com - WordPress Admin Dashboard Tips for Accessing and Using WP Admin\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wordpress-admin-dashboard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WordPress Admin Dashboard<\/a> and reset your permalinks (as described earlier) by navigating to <strong>Settings<\/strong> \u2192 <strong>Permalinks<\/strong> and clicking <strong>Save Changes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then, check your WordPress website&#8217;s links to ensure everything works correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the issue persists, there may be another cause, such as a plugin conflict, which you can troubleshoot further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;\">\n<div class=\"bg-primary-xxlight rounded-md mt-3 mb-3 p-3 text-center border border-primary-xlight border-2x\">\n<p class=\"font09 m-0\"> Trust Hosted\u00ae\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/hosting\/wordpress\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Website - WordPress Hosting\" title=\"Hosted.com - WordPress Hosting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WordPress Hosting<\/a>for expert assistance and reliable solutions tailored to your website requirements.<br> Our skilled support team consists of dedicated WordPress professionals who have received specialized training aimed at resolving issues efficiently while prioritizing customer satisfaction above all else. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"disable-word-press-plugins\">Disable WordPress Plugins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plugins are powerful tools that add useful functionality to your WordPress site, but sometimes, they can cause conflicts, especially with permalinks. A plugin may interfere with your site&#8217;s URL structure or even modify critical files like <strong>.htaccess<\/strong>. If you\u2019re facing the WordPress Permalinks not working issue then disabling plugins is a great way to identify the problem. Here\u2019s how to do it step by step:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Go to <strong>WordPress Dashboard<\/strong> \u2192 <strong>Plugins <\/strong>\u2192 <strong>Installed Plugins<\/strong>. Here, you\u2019ll see a list of all currently active plugins on your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To check if a plugin is causing the issue, disable all of them. You can do this by selecting all plugins using the checkbox at the top, choosing <strong>Deactivate<\/strong> from the dropdown menu, and clicking <strong>Apply<\/strong>. Don\u2019t worry \u2013 disabling plugins won\u2019t delete them or your data. It simply turns off their functionality temporarily.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-097-10.png\" alt=\"Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working - Deactivate All WordPress Plugins\" title=\"How To Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working: 3 Easy Ways to Fix Them - Deactivate All WordPress Plugins\" width=\"943\" height=\"320\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After deactivating all plugins, check if your permalinks are working again. Visit a few pages or posts on your WordPress site to see if the error is resolved. If the WordPress Permalinks not working issue is fixed, you\u2019ve confirmed that one or more plugins are causing the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To pinpoint the plugin(s) causing the conflict, reactivate them individually. To do this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Return to <strong>Plugins <\/strong>\u2192 <strong>Installed Plugins<\/strong>. Activate the first plugin on the list. Next, check your permalinks to see if they\u2019re still working. Repeat the process with the next plugin. This step-by-step approach helps you identify the exact plugin responsible for the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-097-11.png\" alt=\"Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working - Activate First Plugin on the List\" title=\"How To Fix WordPress Permalinks Not Working: 3 Easy Ways to Fix Them - Activate First Plugin on the List\" width=\"939\" height=\"159\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you find the problematic or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/knowledgebase\/wordpress\/incompatible-wordpress-plugins\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com KBs - Incompatible WordPress Plugins\" title=\"Hosted.com - Incompatible WordPress Plugins\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">incompatible WordPress plugin<\/a>, you have a few options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Check for Updates: <\/strong>Sometimes, simply updating the plugin can fix compatibility issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Contact the Developer:<\/strong> Reach out to the plugin\u2019s support team to report the issue. Many developers are quick to provide fixes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Find an Alternative Plugin:<\/strong> If the plugin is outdated or unsupported, consider replacing it with a similar one that\u2019s actively maintained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After that, the WordPress permalinks not working problem should be resolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h3\" id=\"why-are-my-word-press-permalinks-not-working\">Why Are My WordPress Permalinks Not Working<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">WordPress <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Permalink\" alt=\"Link to Wikipedia - Permalink\" title=\"Wikipedia - Permalink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">permalinks<\/a> not working can happen for several reasons. Knowing what causes these problems can help you fix them quickly and prevent them from happening again. Here are the most common reasons and how they impact your site:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"installing-new-plugins\"><strong>Installing New Plugins<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plugins are great for adding features to your website, but sometimes they can interfere with your WordPress Permalinks. For example, a plugin may add custom rules to your <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> file or change how URLs are structured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a plugin is poorly coded or incompatible with your WordPress version, it can create conflicts with other themes or plugins, leading to broken permalinks. Avoid this by always using reputable plugins with good reviews and regular updates. Moreover, check if a plugin is compatible with your WordPress version before installing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"updates\"><strong>Updates<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Updating WordPress core, themes, or plugins is essential for security and performance. However, these updates can sometimes disrupt your permalink settings. For example, a major WordPress update may introduce changes that require your plugins or themes to adapt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avoid issues by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/update-wordpress\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Tutorials - How to Update WordPress - 5 Easy Ways\" title=\"Hosted.com - How to Update WordPress - 5 Easy Ways\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">updating WordPress<\/a>, themes, and plugins regularly, but do this carefully. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/backup-wordpress-site\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Tutorials - How to Backup Your WordPress Site - A Comprehensive Guide\" title=\"Hosted.com - How to Backup Your WordPress Site - A Comprehensive Guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Create a backup of your site<\/a> before making any updates so you can restore it if something goes wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"migrating-word-press-to-a-new-server-or-domain\"><strong>Migrating WordPress to a New Server or Domain<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/migrate-wordpress-site\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Articles - A Clear Guide To Migrate WordPress Sites Seamlessly\" title=\"Hosted.com - A Clear Guide To Migrate WordPress Sites Seamlessly\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Moving a WordPress website to another domain or server<\/a> can cause permalink problems. This happens because URLs and file paths may need to be updated during migration. If these changes are not made correctly, your permalinks may break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To ensure your permalinks work after migration:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Update the <strong>WordPress Address (URL)<\/strong> and <strong>Site Address (URL)<\/strong> in your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wordpress-settings\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Tutorials - How to Configure WordPress Settings After Installation\" title=\"Hosted.com - How to Configure WordPress Settings After Installation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WordPress settings<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regenerate the <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> file by resetting permalinks in <strong>Settings <\/strong>\u2192 <strong>Permalinks<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check your database to ensure all<a alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Tutorials - How to Redirect a Domain to Another Domain - Best Practices\" title=\"Hosted.com - How to Redirect a Domain to Another Domain - Best Practices\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/redirect-a-domain-to-another-domain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> old domain references are updated to the new domain<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"changes-in-htaccess-file\"><strong>Changes in .htaccess File<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> file is a critical part of how WordPress handles URLs. It contains rules that direct web traffic and make your permalinks work properly. If the <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> file is accidentally modified or deleted, it can cause errors like <strong>404 Page Not Found<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plugins, manual edits, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wordpress-hosting-server-configurations\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Articles - WordPress Hosting Server Configurations for Improved Speed\" title=\"Hosted.com - WordPress Hosting Server Configurations for Improved Speed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">server configurations<\/a> can also change this file. To fix it, you can replace the <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> file with a default version or regenerate it to reset permalinks in WordPress. Always be careful when editing this file, as mistakes can cause your site to stop working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"restoring-word-press-backup\"><strong>Restoring WordPress Backup<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Tutorials - How to Restore WordPress from a Backup - Best Practices\" title=\"Hosted.com - How to Restore WordPress from a Backup - Best Practices\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/how-to-restore-wordpress\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Restoring a backup<\/a> is helpful when something goes wrong with your WordPress site. However, this can also lead to broken permalinks. This happens if the backup doesn\u2019t include the latest changes to your permalink settings or <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> file. To prevent this, follow these best practices:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Regularly back up your site, including your WordPress database and files.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use a reliable backup plugin (like UpdraftPlus and Duplicator) or a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/hosting\/wordpress\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Website - WordPress Hosting\" title=\"Hosted.com - WordPress Hosting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WordPress hosting service<\/a> that restores specific parts of your site separately, like the database or <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> file.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After restoring a backup, check your permalinks and reset them if needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By understanding these common causes of WordPress Permalinks not working issue, you can take steps to prevent them and keep your WordPress site running smoothly. Whether choosing the right plugins, updating carefully, or handling migrations properly, these small actions make a big difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/hosting\/wordpress\" alt=\"Link to Hosted\u00ae - WordPress Hosting\" title=\"Hosted\u00ae - WordPress Hosting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Tut-097-2.webp\" alt=\"Strip Banner Text - Get expert help for all your WordPress queries with our dedicated support team. [More Info]\" title=\"Get expert help for all your WordPress queries with our dedicated support team.\" class=\"wp-image-8595\" width=\"1200\" height=\"268\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Tut-097-2.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Tut-097-2-300x67.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Tut-097-2-1024x229.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Tut-097-2-768x172.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Tut-097-2-960x214.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Tut-097-2-1052x235.webp 1052w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"fa-qs\">FAQS<\/h3>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1739437252809\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>How do I know if my permalinks are broken?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>You\u2019ll know your permalinks are broken if clicking on links leads to errors like <em>404 Page Not Found<\/em> or when pages that previously worked no longer load correctly. Additionally, tools like <em>Google Search Console<\/em> may alert you to issues with your URLs. Test your links regularly to ensure they work as expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1739438642320\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What happens if I don\u2019t fix broken WordPress permalinks?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Ignoring broken WordPress permalinks can harm your website in several ways. Visitors may leave your site if they encounter errors, leading to a poor user experience. Additionally, search engines may struggle to index your content; this results in lower rankings and reduced traffic. However, fixing permalinks quickly helps maintain your site\u2019s reputation and functionality.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1739438655928\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What is the default WordPress permalinks structure, and should I change it?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The default WordPress permalinks structure is <em>Plain<\/em>, which creates URLs like <em>yourwebsite.com\/?p=123<\/em>. While this works, it\u2019s not ideal for SEO or user experience. Rather switch to a structure like <em>Post Name<\/em> (<em>yourwebsite.com\/sample-post<\/em>) or a custom structure that matches your WordPress site\u2019s needs. You can change this in <em>Settings <\/em>\u2192 <em>Permalinks<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1739438664632\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What\u2019s the best permalink structure for SEO?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The <em>Post Name<\/em> structure (<em>yourwebsite.com\/post-title<\/em>) is considered the best for SEO. It\u2019s short, descriptive, and helps search engines understand your content. Avoid structures that use plain query strings, as they are less user-friendly and don\u2019t provide any SEO benefits.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1739438675482\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What is a redirect, and why is it important for permalinks?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>A redirect automatically sends visitors from an old URL to a new one. For example, if you change a permalink from <em>yourwebsite.com\/old-post<\/em> to <em>yourwebsite.com\/new-post<\/em>, a redirect ensures visitors are taken to the correct page. Additionally, redirects are important for maintaining SEO rankings and avoiding <em>404 Page Not Found<\/em> errors when URLs are updated.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"other-tutorials-of-interest\">Other Tutorials of Interest<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/how-to-reinstall-wordpress\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Reinstall WordPress: Troubleshooting Guide<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/create-an-ftp-account\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Tutorials - How to Create an FTP Account A Step-by-Step Guide\" title=\"Hosted.com - How to Create an FTP Account A Step-by-Step Guide\">How to Create an FTP Account A Step-by-Step Guide<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wordpress-admin-dashboard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Tutorials - WordPress Admin Dashboard Tips for Accessing and Using WP Admin\" title=\"Hosted.com - WordPress Admin Dashboard Tips for Accessing and Using WP Admin\">WordPress Admin Dashboard Tips for Accessing and Using WP Admin<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/update-wordpress-plugins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Tutorials - How to Update WordPress Plugins - A Step-by-Step Guide\" title=\"Hosted.com - How to Update WordPress Plugins - A Step-by-Step Guide\">How to Update WordPress Plugins: A Step-by-Step Guide<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wordpress-error-logs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Tutorials - How To Configure WordPress Error Logs - Identify and Fix Issues\" title=\"Hosted.com - How To Configure WordPress Error Logs - Identify and Fix Issues\">How To Configure WordPress Error Logs: Identify &amp; Fix Issues<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> Permalinks in WordPress are the web addresses (URLs) for your posts, pages, and other content. People click on these to visit a specific part of your website. For example, if someone wants to go to the About Us page, the permalink may look like this: yourwebsite.com\/about-us. These links are important because they stay the same, making it easy for visitors and search engines to find your content. Good permalinks are essential for both navigation and SEO. A clear and simple URL helps search engi&#8230; <a alt='WordPress Permalinks Not Working: 3 Easy Ways to Fix Them' title='WordPress Permalinks Not Working: 3 Easy Ways to Fix Them' href='https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/fix-wordpress-permalinks-not-working\/' class='read-more'>Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":8593,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,213,123],"tags":[329],"class_list":["post-8584","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tutorials","category-wordpress-coding","category-wordpress-troubleshooting","tag-wordpress-permalinks-not-working-2"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8584","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8584"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8584\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12318,"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8584\/revisions\/12318"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8593"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8584"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8584"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8584"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}