Hello,
We apologize for the issue you are facing with 404 errors after updating Elementor or WooCommerce. It sounds frustrating to deal with this repeatedly.
Since you’ve already identified that Rank Math is causing the problem, here are a few additional suggestions you can try:
-
Check for Conflicts: Ensure that you are using the latest version of Rank Math. Sometimes, older versions may have bugs that could cause issues. Updating to the latest version can often resolve conflicts.
-
Review Redirection Settings: Check your redirection settings in Rank Math. Sometimes, incorrect redirection rules can lead to 404 errors. You can review and adjust these settings in the Redirection Manager.
-
Clear Cache: If you are using any caching plugins, clear the cache after making changes to see if that resolves the issue.
-
Check Server Configuration: Sometimes, server settings can interfere with how plugins operate. Ensure that your server configuration is compatible with Rank Math.
-
Enable Debugging: You can enable debugging in WordPress to see if any specific errors are logged when the 404s occur. This might give you more insight into what’s happening.
If these suggestions do not resolve the issue, please reply to this ticket with your site URL so we can investigate further. A human agent from our support team will be able to assist you more effectively.
Thank you for your patience, and we hope to help you resolve this soon!
This is an automated reply from Rank Math Support Bot. Your ticket has been assigned to a human agent and we will get back to you shortly.
Please see my answers to your questions below. Answers are at end of question.
Check for Conflicts: Ensure that you are using the latest version of Rank Math. Sometimes, older versions may have bugs that could cause issues. Updating to the latest version can often resolve conflicts. (I UPDATED YOUR PLUG IN EVERY TIME THRE IS ONE )
Review Redirection Settings: Check your redirection settings in Rank Math. Sometimes, incorrect redirection rules can lead to 404 errors. You can review and adjust these settings in the Redirection Manager. (THERE ISN’T ANY 404’S OR REDIRECTS NOW CUZ I REMOVED EVERYTHING ONCE I REALIZED IT WAS YOUR PLUGIN)
Clear Cache: If you are using any caching plugins, clear the cache after making changes to see if that resolves the issue. (i CLEAR THE CACHE ALOT)
Check Server Configuration: Sometimes, server settings can interfere with how plugins operate. Ensure that your server configuration is compatible with Rank Math. (NOT SURE WHAT THIS MEANS OR HOW TO CHECK IT)
Enable Debugging: You can enable debugging in WordPress to see if any specific errors are logged when the 404s occur. This might give you more insight into what’s happening. (DON’T KNOW HOW TO ENABLE DEBUGGING ON WORKPRESS)
Hello,
Thank you for your patience.
You can get in touch with your web host to check your server configuration.
Regarding the debugging mode, you can follow this guide https://wordpress.org/support/article/debugging-in-wordpress/ or you can get in touch with your web host, and they will help you locate the log file.
Having an error log will help us determine what is causing the issue on your site.
Looking forward to helping you.
Your Response.
You can get in touch with your web host to check your server configuration. “What am I looking for?”
UPDATE. I ran a Compatibility test on Rank Math and it indicated that my site was compatible to run Rank Math.
Your PHP Version: 8.0.30.4
You are using the recommended WordPress version.
PHP DOM Extension installed
PHP SimpleXML Extension installed
PHP GD or Imagick Extension installed
PHP MBstring Extension installed
PHP OpenSSL Extension installed
Base64 encode & decode functions available
Your server is correctly configured to use Rank Math.
No known conflicting plugins found.
Hello,
From the description you’ve shared, it looks like the permalinks are not sticking for more than a couple of hours and that’s why you’re facing this issue frequently. The most common fix for this kind of issue is to refresh the permalinks programmatically.
To do that, you could add the following snippet to flush the permalinks every hour and prevent the error from appearing:
add_action('my_hourly_event', 'do_this_hourly');
function my_activation() {
if ( !wp_next_scheduled( 'my_hourly_event' ) ) {
wp_schedule_event(time(), 'hourly', 'my_hourly_event');
}
}
add_action('wp', 'my_activation');
function do_this_hourly() {
global $wp_rewrite;
$wp_rewrite->flush_rules();
}
Here’s how you can add filter/hook to your WordPress site: https://rankmath.com/kb/wordpress-hooks-actions-filters/
Let us know how it goes. Looking forward to helping you.
Thank you.
Ok. I installed the Snippet Code above. I will keep you updated on the next Update on YOUR plug In. right now there aren’t ANY 404’s or Redirects.
Thank you. I will keep you posted
Hello,
Sure, let us know how this goes.
Meanwhile, please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime if you have other questions to assist you further.
Looking forward to helping you.
Thank you.
Ok…. I just saw that there were a bunch of Updates on my website including Yours …I installed the plugins ALL but YOURS. I went back and looked at my webstie and a few pages threw a 404. I went back and “DEACTIVTED” your plugin and all the pages worked great!… Then I went back and ACTIVATED your Plugin and connected to google analytics and every works fine…. It just seems when ever there are plugins to be updated including yours there is always an 404 error…. and I have to DEACTIVATE & REACTIVATE YOUR PLUGIN…..
I always get emails deals to go PRO but getting all these 404’s is making me hesitant.!
Just a small note: when i get the 404 erorr it’s not recorded in the 404 page on your software.
Hello,
There is likely an issue with your site’s permalink. Something (perhaps a plugin/theme) may be changing/resetting the permalink inappropriately. Even if you use a direct plugin with the slug strip feature, you will likely experience the same issue. Please add the following snippet that
detects when the rewrite rules change and flushes them automatically:
function custom_flush_rewrite_rules() {
flush_rewrite_rules();
}
add_action('after_switch_theme', 'custom_flush_rewrite_rules'); // On theme switch
add_action('init', function() {
if (!get_option('custom_rewrite_rules_flushed')) {
flush_rewrite_rules();
update_option('custom_rewrite_rules_flushed', true);
}
});
We hope this helps. Please let us know if you have further questions or concerns.
Thank you.
You gave me a snipppet already that I “THOUGHT” was suppose to fix that….. I need another one?
Hello,
The previous snippet helps refresh permalinks on an hourly basis, but since the issue still occurs after updates, the new snippet ensures permalinks are flushed automatically when needed (such as after theme switches or other potential changes).
You can keep the first snippet running and add this new one as an extra safeguard. If the issue persists, there may be another plugin interfering with permalink settings, and we recommend checking for conflicts again.
Thank you.
I’ll give it one more shot…. I’ll keep your posted. It’s getting very annoying.
Hello,
Sure, let us know how it goes.
Looking forward to helping you.
Thank you.
Hi Again… I installed your 2nd snippit above and waited til there were updates. This morning there were updates including YOURS.. I installed all the updates and my site threw 404’s on “some of my links” not the entire site.. I DEACTIVATED YOUR plugin and my site worked just fine… Then I went back and installed your plugin and connected it to google analytics again and the site works just fine as well.
Just seems that your plugin when active and there are plugins that needed to be updated it throw 404’s on some on my links I click on. It’s always the same ones: “New Arrivals” on the heading and “learning to read” on the footer. Sometimes the “popular Catagories” on footer will also throw 404’s. They don’t go in the log area on Rank Math, just when I click on the link the page comes up with my 404 page I created. If this information helps.
It’s frustrating. Your plugin seems to be the common factor… I’m curious…. is there a setting that might be causing this in your “general settings area? I know im using the FREE version, and would like the PRO but if I can’t get the free version to work I can’t justify getting the PRO….
Sigh..
