How to Reset Permalinks in WordPress? – 2 Easy Steps

Have you ever clicked on a link on your site only to see the dreaded 404 error? It’s frustrating for you and your visitors too. Broken links can make your website look unprofessional and hurt your SEO.

Sometimes, all it takes to fix this issue is to reset permalinks in WordPress. Permalinks control the URL structure of your website. When they go wrong, links stop working. A simple reset can often set things straight again.

Maybe you changed your site’s structure or moved a few pages around. Or perhaps a plugin update messed with your URLs. No worries! Resetting permalinks is like hitting the reset button when your computer freezes. It can breathe new life into your site and fix those pesky errors.

This guide will walk you through resetting permalinks and avoiding broken links. It’s easier than you think!

TL;DR: If you encounter 404 errors, resetting permalinks in WordPress can help. You can do this easily through your WordPress dashboard or the site database. Don’t forget to backup your site before making any changes. This protects your data and ensures a quick recovery if needed.

1. Use wp-admin to reset permalinks in WordPress

Resetting permalinks from your WordPress dashboard is straightforward. You don’t need any special tools or technical skills. Just follow these steps, and you’ll quickly get your site back on track.

First, log in to your WordPress admin dashboard. On the left side, you’ll see a menu. Hover over or click on Settings. Then, choose Permalinks from the list.

Now, you need to change the permalink structure temporarily. For example, if you use Post name, switch it to Plain. After selecting a different structure, click the Save Changes button. This step resets your permalinks.

Once you’ve done that, go back to your original permalink structure and select it again. Click Save Changes once more. These actions refresh your permalinks and should fix those annoying 404 errors. It’s that easy!

2. Use site database to reset permalinks in WordPress

You can also reset permalinks using the WordPress site database. This method is useful if you can’t access the WordPress dashboard. It’s a bit more technical, but don’t worry—just follow these steps.

First, sign in to phpMyAdmin. Once there, look at the left menu and choose your site’s database by clicking on its name.

Next, find the wp_options table. Remember, if your database isn’t using ‘wp_’ as a prefix, just search for a table ending in ‘_options.’ Click on the text to open the table.

In the table, look for the permalink_structure entry under the option_name column. You might need to scroll through several entries. When you find it, click Edit in the permalink_structure row.

In the option_value field, copy the text you see and save it somewhere safe. Next, delete the existing text and click Go to save this change. This action resets your permalinks, often fixing 404 errors. If this resolves your issue, you can go back anytime and paste the old text if needed.

Note: If you are still seeing your permalinks not working, then there are several other methods you can follow to fix that.

How to track broken permalinks and avoid them in the future?

Keeping track of broken permalinks is important. Here’s how you can do it:

• Use a link checker: A tool like Broken Link Checker scans your site and tells you about broken links.
• Use SEO tools: Regularly check for issues using tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or SEMrush.
• Set up 301 redirects: Use a redirection plugin like 301 Redirects to guide visitors to the right page if URLs change.
• Use a logical permalink structure: This helps avoid mistakes when moving or renaming content.
• Update internal links: Change links inside your site whenever you change a page’s slug or place.
• Keep regular backups: Backups let you restore permalinks if something goes wrong. We recommend using MalCare for automated, secure, off-site backups.
• Check content after changes: Look for broken links right after changing your site’s structure.
• Use a staging site: Test changes safely on a staging site before making them live on your main website. MalCare users can access staging sites right from their dashboard.

Final thoughts

Resetting permalinks in WordPress is an easy fix. It can get rid of 404 errors that annoy you and your visitors. Fixing broken links also helps your site do better in search engines. Keep your URL structure consistent to avoid these problems in the future.

Consider using MalCare to keep your site safe and working well. It automatically backs up your data and stores it safely off-site. This means your data is safe and your site runs smoothly. MalCare also has other tools to protect your site. It can detect and clean up malware in one click. It checks for vulnerabilities and more. With MalCare, you can focus on growing your website without worry.

FAQs

How to clear permalinks in WordPress?

To clear permalinks in WordPress, log in to your WordPress admin dashboard. Go to Settings and then select Permalinks. Choose a different permalink structure temporarily, like switching from Post name to Plain. Click Save Changes to reset them. After that, switch back to your original permalink structure and click Save Changes again. This simple process clears and refreshes your permalinks, which can fix errors like 404s.

How do I refresh WordPress permalinks?

To refresh WordPress permalinks, go to your WordPress dashboard and click on Settings, then Permalinks. Without changing anything, click Save Changes. This action refreshes your permalinks, helping to fix issues like broken links or errors. It’s a quick and easy way to ensure your site’s URLs work properly.

How do I fix permalinks in WordPress?

To fix permalinks in WordPress, go to your WordPress dashboard. Click on Settings, then Permalinks. Choose a different permalink structure, like switching from Post name to Plain. Click Save Changes to apply the reset. Then, switch back to your original permalink setting and click Save Changes again. This process can resolve issues like 404 errors or broken links on your site.

What does flush permalinks mean?

Flushing permalinks means refreshing the permalink settings in WordPress to update the way your site’s URLs are structured. This helps resolve link-related issues, like 404 errors or broken links, by resetting the link paths without changing your site’s content. You do this by going to Settings, clicking Permalinks, and then clicking Save Changes without making any actual changes to the structure. This simple action clears any permalink cache and makes sure URLs work correctly.