Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

Troubleshooting WordPress Download Monitor 404 Error

If you're using WordPress Download Monitor to manage file downloads on your website, you may encounter a 404 error page when visitors attempt to download a file. This can be frustrating for both you and your users, but fortunately, there are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.

Verify the File Exists

The first step is to verify that the file being downloaded actually exists on your web server. Check the file path to ensure it is correct and that the file itself has not been deleted or moved.

Check Download Monitor Settings

If the file exists and the path is correct, the next step is to check your WordPress Download Monitor settings. Log into your website and go to the Download Monitor plugin settings page. Ensure that the file is listed and that its download link is correct.

If the link is incorrect, click on 'Edit' next to the file and update the link field to reflect the correct path to the file.

Check Permalinks

If the file and Download Monitor settings both check out, the next step is to check your website's permalinks. Go to the WordPress Settings > Permalinks page and make sure that the settings are correct. If you recently changed the permalinks settings, ensure to flush the site's rewrite rules by saving the settings once again.

Check .htaccess File

If the permalinks settings are correct, the issue may be with your website's .htaccess file. This file controls how your website handles URLs, and if it is malformed or missing, it can lead to 404 errors.

Check that the .htaccess file in your website's root directory is present and contains the correct code. If you are unsure what the code should be, try regenerating your .htaccess file by going to the WordPress Settings > Permalinks page and clicking on 'Save Changes.'

Conclusion

404 errors can be frustrating to debug, but by following the steps outlined above, you should be able to identify and fix the issue quickly. With Download Monitor in place, you can easily manage file downloads on your website and ensure that your users get the files they need without any issues.