How to Reset Permalinks in WordPress

What are permalinks?

A permalink is the permanent web address of a post or page. For example, yourdomain.com/about-us. WordPress builds these addresses using rules stored in a file called .htaccess. A hidden file is a file whose name starts with a dot, and this is one of them.

Sometimes those rules break. This can happen after a move, a plugin change, or an update. Then your posts show a 404 error, which means "page not found". Resetting permalinks rebuilds the rules.

Method 1: Save permalinks again

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Settings, then Permalinks.
3. Look at the option that is selected. Do not change it.
4. Scroll down and click Save Changes.
5. Visit one of your posts to test it.

This one step fixes most cases.

Method 2: Switch to Plain and back

Use this if Method 1 did not work.

1. Go to Settings, then Permalinks.
2. Write down your current setting.
3. Select Plain and click Save Changes.
4. Go back to the same page.
5. Select your old setting again, for example Post name.
6. Click Save Changes.

Method 3: Check the .htaccess file

If WordPress cannot write to the file, the reset will not work.

1. Log in to your hosting control panel and open File Manager.
2. Go to your site folder, often public_html.
3. Enable the option to show hidden files.
4. Find .htaccess. Check that it exists.
5. Right-click it and look at its permissions. A common safe value is 644.
6. If the file is missing, create a new empty file named .htaccess.
7. Go back to Settings, then Permalinks, and click Save Changes.

WordPress will fill the file with the right rules.

Pick a good style

Most sites use Post name. It gives short, clear addresses. Pick one style and keep it.

Quick recap

• Permalinks are the web addresses of your pages.
• Go to Settings, then Permalinks, and click Save Changes.
• If needed, switch to Plain and back, or check .htaccess.
• Do not change the style on a live site without a reason.