A 404 error occurs when a resource requested by the user whether it’s a webpage, an image, or a file cannot be found on the server.
It’s a common issue faced by developers and users alike. The error message Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 “ is encountered frequently during web development
This article explores the common causes of this error on each platform and how to effectively resolve it.
React: “Failed to Load Resource: The Server Responded with a Status of 404 “

In React, a 404 error often appears when static files like images, CSS, or JS files are not correctly referenced or are missing.
How to Fix:
- Check for Typos: Ensure the resource paths are spelled correctly and relative to the public directory.
- Verify File Location: Confirm that static resources (like images, fonts, etc.) are stored correctly within the public folder and not misplaced.
- Review Routing Configuration: For React Router, ensure routes are correctly set up, and there are no misconfigurations causing the resources to be unreachable.
- Deployment Issues: If using platforms like Vercel or Netlify, verify deployment settings and ensure the project is correctly built and all files are uploaded.
WordPress: “Failed to Load Resource: The Server Responded with a Status of 404 “
In WordPress, the error is typically caused by broken links or incorrect permalink settings.
How to Fix:
- Check Permalink Settings: Go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress admin panel and click Save Changes to refresh the permalink structure.
- Fix Broken Links: Ensure that internal links or resource paths are correctly referenced. Use plugins like Broken Link Checker to find and fix any issues.
- Verify File Locations: If you’ve moved or deleted content, make sure links are updated accordingly, and check if the resources exist in the correct theme or plugin folders.
Vercel: Failed to Load Resource: The Server Responded with a Status of 404
When deploying on Vercel, missing files or incorrect paths can trigger this error.
How to Fix:
- Verify Deployment Logs: Check the deployment logs on Vercel to ensure there are no issues with the build or missing files during deployment.
- Check Resource Pathing: Make sure all resources (like images, CSS files, and JS) are included in your repository and correctly referenced in your code.
- Configuration Settings: If you’re using Next.js, confirm the configuration settings in
next.config.js
for static file handling.
LWC (Lightning Web Components): “Failed to Load Resource: The Server Responded with a Status of 404”

In LWC, this error typically happens when static resources, like images or JavaScript files, aren’t correctly uploaded to Salesforce or referenced properly.
How to Fix:
- Check Static Resources: Ensure that static resources are correctly uploaded and referenced using the correct URL format.
- Verify Resource Imports: Check the imports in your components to make sure they reference the correct static files.
- Salesforce Cache: Clear the Salesforce cache to ensure that the latest resources are being served.
GitHub Pages: “Failed to Load Resource: The Server Responded with a Status of 404 “
A 404 error on GitHub Pages often happens when a file is not committed or pushed to the repository.
How to Fix:
- Check Repository for Files: Ensure all required files (images, CSS, JS) are committed and pushed to the repository.
- Verify File Paths: Double-check the URL paths, especially when referencing assets or files within subdirectories.
- Custom Domain Issues: If using a custom domain, check DNS settings to ensure proper redirection and that the base URL is correct.
Angular: “Failed to Load Resource: The Server Responded with a Status of 404 “
In Angular, this error typically arises from incorrect paths or issues with lazy-loaded modules.
How to Fix:
- Check Static Resources: Ensure all static resources like images, CSS, and JS are in the assets folder and paths are correctly referenced in the HTML files.
- Review Angular Routing: Verify that Angular routing, especially for Lazy Loaded modules, is configured correctly.
- Base URL Configuration: If deploying, ensure the base URL is set correctly in the
angular.json
file under the"baseHref"
option.
Netlify: “Failed to Load Resource: The Server Responded with a Status of 404 “

On Netlify, a 404 error could be due to a failed build or missing resources after deployment.
How to Fix:
- Check Netlify Logs: Review the deploy logs on Netlify to identify any failed builds or missing files.
- Ensure Resource Availability: Double-check that all resources are included in the repository and paths are correctly set.
- Verify Redirects: If you’ve configured redirects, ensure the
netlify.toml
file is correctly configured for any old URL redirects.
Laravel: “Failed to Load Resource: The Server Responded with a Status of 404 “
In Laravel, this error often arises from misconfigured routes or missing files.
How to Fix:
- Check Route Definitions: Verify that all routes are correctly defined in
routes/web.php
and that the URLs correspond to the correct resources. - Verify Static File Paths: Ensure that assets like images, CSS, and JavaScript are stored in the public folder and referenced properly in the view files.
- Clear Laravel Cache: Run
php artisan config:cache
andphp artisan route:cache
to clear and refresh the Laravel cache.
General Solutions to Fix “Failed to Load Resource: The Server Responded with a Status of 404 “
Regardless of the platform you’re using, here’s a checklist to fix 404 errors:
- Check for Typos: Ensure the URL or resource path is spelled correctly and there are no mistakes in the address.
- Verify Resource Availability: Confirm that the resource (image, page, file) is available on the server and hasn’t been deleted or moved.
- Review Routing Configuration: Ensure that routes are properly defined in your framework (whether it’s React Router, Angular Routing, or WordPress Permalinks).
- Implement Redirects: If resources have been moved or deleted, set up 301 redirects to point to the new location of the content and help maintain SEO.
- Clear Cache: Clear the cache both in the browser and on the server to ensure that outdated information isn’t causing the error.
- Use Custom 404 Pages: Create a custom 404 page with helpful links, a search bar, or a friendly message to guide users back to the main site or relevant sections.
How to Fix a 403 Error (“Failed to Load Resource: The Server Responded with a Status of 404 “)

A 403 Forbidden error occurs when the server understands the request but refuses to authorize it. This can happen if the user doesn’t have permission to access the resource.
How to Fix:
- Check File Permissions: Make sure the file or resource is publicly accessible and has the correct permissions set.
- Check Server Configuration: Ensure that
.htaccess
or similar configuration files don’t have access restrictions in place. - Authentication Issues: If authentication is required, ensure the user has the necessary permissions or credentials to access the resource.
Conclusion
The 404 error can be frustrating for both users and developers, but it is a common issue that can be fixed by ensuring proper configuration, verifying resource availability, and correcting URL or path references.
By understanding the specific causes of 404 errors across different platforms like React, WordPress, Vercel, Angular, GitHub Pages, Netlify, and Laravel, and following the recommended troubleshooting steps, you can easily resolve these issues and enhance the user experience on your website.
Additionally, implementing proper redirects, clearing caches, and using custom 404 pages are effective ways to mitigate the impact of this error and ensure smooth navigation.
FAQs
What is a 404 error?
A 404 error is an HTTP status code that indicates that the resource (such as a webpage or file) you are trying to access could not be found on the server.
Why do I keep getting a 404 error?
A 404 error can occur if the URL is incorrect, if the page has been deleted or moved, or if there is a broken link on the website.
How do I fix a 404 error on my website?
To fix a 404 error, check for typos in the URL, verify that the resource exists, and ensure that your routing configuration or server settings are correct. Implement redirects if necessary.
How do I fix a 403 error?
A 403 error is caused by permissions issues. To fix it, check the file permissions, ensure proper server configuration, and verify that any required authentication is in place.
Can a 404 error affect SEO?
Yes, frequent 404 errors can harm user experience and SEO. It is important to regularly check for broken links and implement 301 redirects to avoid negative impacts on your site’s ranking.
What is a “Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 ()”?
A “Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404” error occurs when the resource (such as an image, webpage, or file) that you’re trying to access is missing or cannot be found on the server.
Why do I keep getting a “Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 404 “?
This error typically happens when the URL is incorrect, the file or resource has been deleted, moved, or isn’t properly linked. It can also occur due to broken links or misconfigured routes.