How to Create a Custom 404 Page in WordPress

Have you ever landed on a broken link and been greeted by a dull, unhelpful 404 error page? If you run a WordPress website, you don’t want your visitors to have the same frustrating experience.

A well-designed 404 page can keep users engaged, guide them back to your site, and even add a touch of creativity to your brand.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to create a custom 404 page in WordPress using different methods, from manual coding to page builders and plugins.

Why Customize Your 404 Page?

A default 404 page simply tells users that the page doesn’t exist, which can lead to frustration and high bounce rates. A custom 404 page helps by:

Keeping visitors engaged
Providing useful links (e.g., homepage, recent posts, search bar)
Maintaining brand consistency
Reducing bounce rates and improving SEO

Now, let’s dive into different ways to create a custom 404 page.

Method 1: Manually Editing the 404.php File

If you’re comfortable editing theme files, you can manually create or modify the 404.php file in your active theme.

Steps to Create a Custom 404 Page Manually

Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard.
Go to Appearance → Theme File Editor.
Find <strong>404.php</strong>. If your theme doesn’t have one, create a new file named 404.php in your theme directory.
Modify the File with a custom message and useful links. You can use this simple template:

<?php get_header(); ?>
<div class="error-page">
    <h1>Oops! Page Not Found</h1>
    <p>It looks like nothing was found at this location.</p>
    <a href="<?php echo home_url(); ?>" class="btn">Back to Home</a>
</div>
<?php get_footer(); ?>

Save and Test It by entering a non-existent URL on your website.

Method 2: Using a Page Builder (Elementor, Divi, SeedProd)

For those who prefer a visual approach, page builders make it easy to design a custom 404 page without coding.

Steps to Create a 404 Page with Elementor

Install and activate Elementor (Free or Pro).
Navigate to Templates → Theme Builder.
Click Add New and select 404 Page.
Design your 404 page using Elementor widgets (e.g., search bar, recent posts, contact button).
Click Publish and set it as your default 404 page.

This method gives you full creative freedom to match your brand’s look and feel.

Method 3: Using a Custom 404 Plugin

If you want a simple and quick solution, plugins like 404page – Your smart custom 404 error page can help.

Steps to Use a 404 Plugin

Install and activate 404page – Your smart custom 404 error page.
Go to Appearance → 404 Error Page.
Select a page you created as your custom 404 page.
Save changes, and you’re done!

Other plugins like SeedProd and Redirection also offer 404 page customization features.

Bonus: Redirecting 404 Errors to the Homepage

If you prefer to redirect all 404 errors to your homepage instead of displaying an error page, add this code to your functions.php file:

function redirect_404_to_home() {
    if (is_404()) {
        wp_redirect(home_url());
        exit();
    }
}
add_action('template_redirect', 'redirect_404_to_home');

This ensures users are always directed to relevant content instead of seeing an error message.

Final Thoughts

Creating a custom 404 page in WordPress is an easy yet powerful way to improve user experience and SEO. Whether you prefer manual coding, a page builder, or a plugin, there’s a method that suits your needs.

Which Method Should You Choose?

✅ For developers & customization lovers: Edit 404.php manually.

✅ For non-coders who love design: Use a page builder like Elementor.

✅ For quick & easy setup: Use a 404 page plugin.

No matter which method you choose, a well-designed 404 page keeps visitors engaged and enhances your website’s professionalism. Which method are you using? Let us know in the comments! 🚀