Broken links hurt your SEO and user experience. This guide walks you through easy, proven steps to find and fix broken links on your WordPress site—using both plugins and manual methods—so your visitors stay happy and search engines keep ranking you higher.
Key Takeaways
- Broken links damage SEO and frustrate users: They lead to 404 errors, increase bounce rates, and lower your site’s credibility with search engines.
- Use built-in WordPress tools or plugins to detect broken links: Plugins like Broken Link Checker automate the process, while manual checks work for smaller sites.
- Fix broken internal links by updating URLs or redirecting them: Replace outdated pages with current ones or set up 301 redirects to preserve link equity.
- Remove or replace broken external links: Either update the URL, remove the link entirely, or replace it with a relevant, working alternative.
- Schedule regular audits to prevent future broken links: Set monthly checks using tools or browser extensions to catch issues early.
- Test your fixes before going live: Always preview changes in a staging environment or use browser incognito mode to verify links work correctly.
- Optimize your site structure to reduce link rot: Use consistent permalinks, avoid changing URLs unnecessarily, and organize content logically.
Introduction: Why Fixing Broken Links Matters
Imagine clicking a link on a website only to land on a “404 Page Not Found” error. Frustrating, right? That’s exactly what your visitors feel when they hit a broken link on your WordPress site. Not only does it ruin their experience, but it also signals to Google that your site might be outdated or poorly maintained—hurting your search rankings.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to fix broken links on your website using simple, actionable steps. Whether you’re running a blog, an online store, or a business site, keeping your links healthy is essential for SEO, usability, and trust. We’ll cover both plugin-based and manual methods, so you can choose what works best for your setup.
Step 1: Identify Broken Links on Your WordPress Site
Before you can fix broken links, you need to find them. There are several reliable ways to do this—automated tools for efficiency and manual checks for precision.
Visual guide about How to Fix Broken Links on Website
Image source: moveforwarddesigns.com
Use a WordPress Plugin to Scan for Broken Links
The easiest way to detect broken links is with a dedicated plugin. One popular option is the Broken Link Checker plugin. Once installed and activated, it scans your entire site—including posts, pages, comments, and custom fields—and flags any links that return a 404 or server error.
To use it:
- Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
- Search for “Broken Link Checker” and install it.
- Activate the plugin and let it run its initial scan (this may take a few minutes).
- Review the results under Tools > Broken Links.
Pro tip: You can configure the plugin to email you when new broken links are found—perfect for ongoing maintenance.
Manually Check Links (For Smaller Sites)
If your site has fewer than 50 pages, you can manually inspect links. Open each page in a private/incognito browser window and click every link. Look for:
- 404 errors
- Redirect loops
- Pages that load slowly or show “server unavailable” messages
Alternatively, use free online tools like Google Search Console or Ahrefs Webmaster Tools to identify crawl errors and broken URLs reported by search engines.
Step 2: Decide How to Fix Each Broken Link
Once you’ve identified broken links, you’ll need to decide the best fix based on whether the link is internal (within your site) or external (pointing to another website).
Fix Internal Broken Links
Internal broken links often happen after you delete a page, change a permalink, or migrate content. Here’s how to resolve them:
- Update the URL: If the content still exists but under a new address, edit the link to point to the correct page. For example, if you moved “/old-blog-post” to “/new-blog-post,” update all references.
- Set up a 301 redirect: If you can’t update every instance (e.g., in old posts), create a permanent redirect from the old URL to the new one. You can do this via your .htaccess file or using a plugin like Redirection.
- Remove the link entirely: If the content is gone forever and no replacement exists, consider removing the link or replacing it with plain text.
Example: Suppose your old product page “/widgets-pro” was deleted. Instead of leaving a dead link, redirect it to your new product category page “/widgets” using a 301 redirect.
Fix External Broken Links
External links break when other websites change their URLs, delete content, or go offline. Options include:
- Find an updated URL: Search the web for the same resource under a new address. Many sites archive old content or move it to subdomains.
- Replace with a better source: If the original page is gone, find a high-quality alternative that offers similar value.
- Remove the link: If no suitable replacement exists, delete the link to keep your content clean and trustworthy.
Note: Always verify that replacement links are reputable and relevant. Avoid linking to spammy or low-quality sites.
Step 3: Implement the Fixes in WordPress
Now it’s time to apply your solutions directly in WordPress.
Visual guide about How to Fix Broken Links on Website
Image source: georanker.com
Editing Links in Posts and Pages
To update a broken link:
- Go to Posts > All Posts or Pages > All Pages.
- Open the post/page containing the broken link.
- Highlight the linked text and click the link icon in the editor.
- Paste the new URL or remove the link entirely.
- Update or publish the content.
For bulk edits, consider using the Search and Replace plugin to find and replace old URLs across multiple posts at once.
Setting Up Redirects
If you’re using the Redirection plugin:
- Go to Tools > Redirection.
- Under “Add new redirection,” enter the old URL (source) and the new URL (target).
- Choose “301 – Moved Permanently” as the redirect type.
- Save the rule.
This ensures anyone clicking the old link lands on the correct page—and search engines transfer ranking power to the new URL.
Step 4: Prevent Future Broken Links
Fixing broken links once is great—but preventing them is even better. Here’s how to stay ahead:
Use Consistent Permalinks
Avoid changing post or page URLs after publishing. If you must change a URL, always set up a redirect. You can learn more about managing WordPress URLs safely in our guide on how to update themes on WordPress without disrupting your site structure.
Regularly Audit Your Site
Schedule monthly link checks using your preferred tool. Set calendar reminders or use automation plugins that notify you of new broken links.
Monitor External Links
External links are the most common source of breakage. Consider using a plugin that periodically checks external URLs and alerts you if they go down.
Optimize Your Site Structure
A well-organized site with clear categories and logical navigation reduces the chance of accidental link breaks. For help organizing your content, check out our tutorial on how to set a default theme in WordPress, which includes tips on structuring menus and pages.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Problem: Plugin shows false positives.
Solution: Some plugins flag temporary server errors as broken links. Re-scan after 24 hours or manually verify the URL works.
Problem: Redirects not working.
Solution: Clear your browser cache and WordPress cache (if using a caching plugin). Also, ensure your .htaccess file isn’t corrupted—backup before editing.
Problem: Can’t edit a link in a widget or footer.
Solution: Go to Appearance > Widgets or Customize > Footer to update links in theme areas. For advanced customization, see our guide on the best way to add CSS in WordPress to style links consistently.
Conclusion
Broken links might seem like a small issue, but they have a big impact on your site’s performance and reputation. By regularly scanning for broken links, fixing them promptly, and adopting preventive habits, you’ll keep your WordPress site running smoothly—and your visitors happy.
Remember: a healthy site is a successful site. Start your first link audit today, and watch your SEO and user engagement improve over time.