Hello,
We apologize for the issue you are facing with the Rank Math SEO plugin and the sitemap error in Google Search Console. It can indeed be overwhelming to set up everything correctly, but we’re here to help you through it.
Since you mentioned that the sitemap has been generated and submitted but is showing an error, here are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:
1. Validate Your Sitemap
Make sure your sitemap is correctly configured. You can use the Validate XML Sitemap tool to check for any issues. If your sitemap is properly configured, you should see a "No issues detected" message.

2. Ensure the Sitemap is Located in the Root Folder
Check that your sitemap is located in the root folder of your WordPress installation. The URL should look like this:
https://yourdomainname.com/sitemap_index.xml
3. Ensure Your Posts Are Set to Index
If all your posts are set to noindex, your sitemap may appear empty. To check this, go to Rank Math SEO → Titles & Meta and ensure that the Index checkbox is enabled for your posts.

4. Resubmit Your Sitemap in Google Search Console
After making sure everything is set up correctly, go back to Google Search Console and resubmit your sitemap. Make sure to enter just the section after your domain, like this:
/sitemap_index.xml
If you continue to experience issues after following these steps, please reply to this ticket, and a human agent from the Rank Math Support team will assist you further.
Thank you for raising this concern, and we hope this helps you get your Rank Math setup running smoothly!
Sources:
Troubleshooting the “Couldn’t Fetch” Error in Google Search Console » Rank Math
How to Configure Sitemaps in Rank Math – Best Settings and Tips
Hello,
Thank you for your query and we are so sorry about the trouble this must have caused.
Let’s start with your sitemap. Please follow this guide to help you with your sitemap issues: https://rankmath.com/kb/couldnt-fetch-error-google-search-console/
As for your concern about setting up the plugin, we recommend following our Rank Math setup guide, which walks you through the essential configuration steps.
For optimizing your content and keywords, consider using our on-page SEO analysis tool, and the keyword tracking feature in Rank Math Pro (if applicable). This will help ensure you’re not missing any key settings.
Hope the helps.
Hello,
Since we did not hear back from you for 15 days, we are assuming that you found the solution. We are closing this support ticket.
If you still need assistance or any other help, please feel free to open a new support ticket, and we will be more than happy to assist.
Thank you.