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google shows couldnt fetch error, how can I resolve that? I already tried the ai bot troubleshooter. Any ideas?
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Hello,
I’m sorry to hear that you are facing the "Couldn’t Fetch" error with your sitemap on Google. This error can be frustrating, but there are steps you can take to resolve it. Since you’ve already tried the AI bot troubleshooter, let’s explore some additional solutions.
Here are some steps you can follow to troubleshoot and resolve the "Couldn’t Fetch" error with your sitemap:
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Rename the Sitemap File: According to Google’s John Mueller, changing the name of the sitemap file can sometimes resolve this issue. You can do this by heading over to Google Search Console → Indexing → Sitemaps and adding a new sitemap with the URL
https://yourdomain.com/?sitemap=1. -
Fix Sitemap Issues: If renaming the sitemap file doesn’t work, you can follow these steps:
- Validate Your Sitemap: Use a tool like XML-Sitemaps to validate your sitemap.
- Ensure the Sitemap Location: Make sure your sitemap is located in the root folder of your WordPress installation.
- Ensure Your Posts Are Set to Index: Check that your posts are set to index in Rank Math SEO settings.
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Flush the Cache: If your sitemap appears outdated, try flushing the sitemap cache by increasing the value of Links Per Sitemap in Rank Math SEO → Sitemap Settings.
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Exclude the Sitemap From Caching: Ensure your sitemap is not being cached by following the steps outlined in this knowledgebase article.
If after trying these steps you still face the issue, please let us know, and our support team will be happy to assist you further.
Thank you for reaching out, and we’re here to help you with any additional questions or concerns.
Sources:
Troubleshooting the “Couldn’t Fetch” Error in Google Search Console » Rank Math
How To Fix Blocked Due to Access Forbidden (403) Error in Google Search Console » Rank MathRename the Sitemap File: According to Google’s John Mueller, changing the name of the sitemap file can sometimes resolve this issue. You can do this by heading over to Google Search Console → Indexing → Sitemaps and adding a new sitemap with the URL https://yourdomain.com/?sitemap=1. DIDNT RESOLVE
Fix Sitemap Issues: If renaming the sitemap file doesn’t work, you can follow these steps:
Validate Your Sitemap: Use a tool like XML-Sitemaps to validate your sitemap. YES
Ensure the Sitemap Location: Make sure your sitemap is located in the root folder of your WordPress installation. YES
Ensure Your Posts Are Set to Index: Check that your posts are set to index in Rank Math SEO settings. NOT SURE
Flush the Cache: If your sitemap appears outdated, try flushing the sitemap cache by increasing the value of Links Per Sitemap in Rank Math SEO → Sitemap Settings. DIDNT RESOLVEExclude the Sitemap From Caching: Ensure your sitemap is not being cached by following the steps outlined in this knowledgebase article. NOT SURE
Hello,
Thank you for contacting us and sorry for any inconvenience that this issue might have caused.
If you have a static sitemap file in the root directory of your site, Rank Math will be unable to generate its dynamic sitemap for your site.
You should delete it then follow the steps below for initial troubleshooting:
1. Flush the Sitemap cache by following this video screencast:
https://i.rankmath.com/pipRDp2. Exclude the Sitemap files of the Rank Math plugin in your caching plugin. The cache could be via a plugin or from the server. For plugins or Cloudflare, please follow this article: https://rankmath.com/kb/exclude-sitemaps-from-caching/
Then remove all the sitemaps you have submitted previously and only submit the main sitemap
/sitemap_index.xmlagain.If the issue persists please share the URL of your sitemap in the sensitive data section for us to check it.
Let us know how it goes. Looking forward to helping you.
Thank you.
Hello,
I have updated the sensitive data as requested. Can you please check further?
Thank you.
Hello,
We tested
You can also share a screenshot of the report from Google Search Console when you submit the sitemap;
/sitemap_index.xml.Please verify the last crawl date on the sitemap in Google Search Console to ensure it’s up to date. If not, you might need to wait for Google to recrawl the sitemap.
We look forward to helping you.
Thanks.
Hello,
Please wait for the “Last read” column to be updated after submitting your sitemap.
Let us know if the issue still persists after Google crawls your sitemap.
Looking forward to helping you.
ok well i appreciate your advice but Im growing a bit impatient about this now. Id like to use your plugin but clearly something isn’t right. To say wait for it to show when its crawled against an error of cannot be read seems a contradiction in terms. If I click on the sitemap, it shows the error cannot be read.Â
Is it possible I can turn off the sitemap part of rankmath and just add a sitemap myself? I did add another sitemap plugin that allows me to put a shortcode in so it now has a human readable sitemap at the foot of the page. The HTML sitemap option is checked in the settings. That seems like the only way to disable the sitemap which doesn’t seem to relate to the XML sitemap, but then again if the generated sitemap cant be read then I suppose it doesn’t matter if its on or off. Ill try adding one manually and see what happens but I do appreciate if you can try explain why its not working and if its possible to just disable the sitemap feature of the plugin to try putting a sitemap in another way. Its only a brand new site, I don’t expect miracles but its slowing me down in getting on with other work, I need google to index the pages or its pointless building anything.Ive tried other sitemaps and same thing happens. Ive also deleted the HTML sitemap plugin and replaced it with your shortcode for the HTML sitemap.
Ive followed all the steps you’ve mentioned and tried deltin the caching litespeed plugin too.
So it seems that google just uses stupid terminology to confuse people “couldn’t fetch” “couldn’t be read. I think the real answer is that google is just an asshole.
Hello,
We’ve noticed this issue with other users, and it seems that the problem lies with Google rather than Rank Math. It appears that Google is labeling all sitemaps as “Couldn’t fetch” until they are actually read. Once the sitemap is read, the ‘Last read’ column will display the date it was last read. It usually takes a few hours or days for Google to read the submitted sitemap, so we kindly ask for your patience as you wait for the ‘Last read’ column to update.
As for disabling the Rank Math sitemap, if you wish to do so, you can deactivate all Rank Math sitemap features by going to Rank Math > Dashboard > Modules > Sitemap.
We hope this information helps you resolve the issue. Please feel free to reach out to us with any other questions or concerns regarding Rank Math. We are always here to assist you.
Thank you for choosing Rank Math!
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.
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The ticket ‘sitemap’ is closed to new replies.