Have you ever clicked a link on your WordPress site only to land on a frustrating “404 Not Found” page? Broken links not only annoy visitors—they can also hurt your site’s credibility and SEO ranking. That’s why keeping your website free from dead links is so important.
In this article, you’ll discover how to check for and fix broken links in WordPress. We’ll walk you through simple steps, helpful tools, and expert tips to keep your site healthy and user-friendly.
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How to Find and Fix Broken Links in WordPress
A healthy WordPress website relies on smooth navigation, seamless user experience, and solid SEO performance—all of which suffer when your site has broken links. Whether you run a blog, business site, or online store, dead links frustrate visitors and can lower your search rankings. In this article, you’ll discover what broken links are, why they’re a problem, and exactly how to detect and fix them using powerful tools and best practices for WordPress.
What Are Broken Links—and Why Do They Matter?
A broken link (sometimes called a dead link) is a hyperlink on your website that no longer leads to its intended destination. This could happen because:
- The linked page was deleted or moved.
- The URL was misspelled.
- The external website no longer exists.
- Your own site’s structure has changed without updating links.
Why Fixing Broken Links Is Important
- User Experience: Visitors will get frustrated and may leave your site if they land on a “404 Not Found” page.
- SEO: Search engines see too many broken links as a sign of neglected maintenance, which can hurt rankings.
- Reputation: Dead links can make your business appear less credible and trustworthy.
- Conversions: Users who encounter dead ends on your site are less likely to convert into subscribers or customers.
Step-by-Step: How to Find Broken Links in WordPress
Maintaining a WordPress site can get overwhelming, but scanning for and fixing broken links doesn’t have to be hard. There are several methods to tackle this, both manual and automated.
1. Manual Checking
If your site is small, you might check links by:
- Clicking each link on your key pages to ensure they work.
- Using browser extensions that highlight broken links on any page you visit.
Downsides:
- Extremely time-consuming for medium to large websites.
- Easy to miss links, especially in older posts and media.
2. Using a WordPress Broken Link Checker Plugin
Most WordPress site owners prefer automated tools for their accuracy, speed, and ease. The most popular choice is a dedicated plugin. Here’s how you can use one:
Choosing a Plugin
Several plugins are available, each with unique features and strengths. Among the most frequently mentioned are:
- Broken Link Checker (classic and cloud-based versions)
- WPMU DEV Broken Link Checker
- AIOSEO Broken Link Checker
- Link Checker by WordPress.com
Installing a Broken Link Checker Plugin
- Login to your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to ‘Plugins’ > ‘Add New’.
- Type ‘Broken Link Checker’ in the search bar.
- Click ‘Install Now’ on your chosen plugin.
- Activate the plugin when installation finishes.
Setting Up and Running the Plugin
Each plugin works slightly differently, but the process generally includes:
- Access the Plugin’s Settings: Usually found under ‘Tools’ or a menu item named after the plugin.
- Configure Scan Settings: Select which content to scan (posts, pages, comments, custom fields).
- Run a Scan: Start the scanning process and wait for results.
- Review Results: The plugin presents a list of broken links, often with details like link text, source content, and error type.
Fixing or Removing Broken Links
Once you have a list of broken links:
- Edit Each Link: Update to a correct URL, or
- Unlink: Remove the hyperlink, or
- Replace Link: Substitute with a new, relevant URL.
Some plugins let you make these changes directly in their dashboard, saving you extra clicks.
Pros and Cons of Using Broken Link Checker Plugins
Benefits
- Automation: Scans your entire site automatically—even scheduled regularly.
- Bulk Actions: Fix or remove multiple links in one go.
- Notifications: Many plugins email you when new broken links pop up.
- Customizable: Scan specific content types or exclude certain links.
Challenges
- Performance Impact: Continuous scanning can slow down large or busy sites. Consider running scans during off-peak hours.
- False Positives: Sometimes temporary server hiccups or strict security rules on target websites can falsely flag working links as broken.
- Plugin Compatibility: Always keep your plugin updated to avoid conflicts with the latest WordPress version.
Other Ways to Check for Broken Links
1. Online Broken Link Checker Tools
Several free web-based tools let you analyze your site by entering its URL. Popular ones include:
- Tools that crawl your pages, reporting on broken links they find.
- Useful for sites where you want a one-off audit without adding a plugin.
2. SEO Tools and Suites
Comprehensive SEO platforms (like AIOSEO, SEMrush, or Ahrefs) scan for broken links as part of their service, displaying them in detailed site audits.
Tip: These are perfect for those who want more advanced reporting, historic data, and integration with SEO strategies.
3. Manual Browser Extensions
If you prefer not to use plugins, browser extensions can help:
- Extensions for Chrome and Firefox can highlight all external and internal broken links on any web page.
Best Practices for Broken Link Management
Staying proactive is the key:
- Schedule Regular Checks: Make it a monthly or quarterly task.
- Update Outdated Content: Refresh old blog posts and pages, updating links to current resources.
- Redirect Properly: If you move a page, set up a 301 redirect so all links pointing to it don’t break.
- Combine with SEO Audits: Broken link checking is a vital part of technical SEO.
- Check Media Links: Don’t forget images, PDFs, and other files—these can break too.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Installing Multiple Plugins: Don’t use several broken link checkers at once; it may slow down your site.
- Ignoring Plugin Warnings: False positives are possible, but don’t ignore all alerts—verify them first.
- Overlooking Internal Links: Many focus on external links, but internal links breaking can hurt your site even more.
- Not Checking After Major Updates: Scan for broken links after big URL changes, migrations, or redesigns.
- Forgetting About Comments: Broken links often lurk in the comment section, especially if you allow user-generated content.
Cost Considerations
Many broken link checker plugins offer free versions with basic scanning functions. For larger sites or more advanced features, you might consider:
- Premium Plugins or Upgrades: Paid plans often include faster scans, more control, or priority support.
- Hosted (Cloud) Solutions: Offsite scanning with no resource impact on your server, but usually at a recurring cost.
- All-in-One SEO Suites: Some offer broken link checking alongside other SEO tools, which may bring better value if SEO is a focus.
Whenever possible, try free versions first to see if they meet your needs. For commercial projects, consider investing in reliable, supported solutions.
Summary
Keeping broken links off your WordPress site isn’t just about avoiding 404 errors. It’s a crucial part of delivering great user experiences, protecting your reputation, and maintaining strong SEO rankings. Whether you run regular manual checks, use plugins, or leverage pro-level SEO tools, staying vigilant ensures your content stays reliable and trustworthy. With the right approach, fixing broken links becomes just another routine part of modern WordPress maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How often should I check my WordPress site for broken links?
It’s best to check for broken links at least once a month. If you have a large or busy site, consider scheduling checks weekly to catch issues early.
2. Will using a broken link checker plugin slow down my website?
Some plugins can temporarily impact site performance during scans, especially on large sites. To minimize this, schedule scans during low-traffic periods or use cloud-based scanning services.
3. Can I fix broken links directly from the plugin’s dashboard?
Yes, many quality WordPress plugins allow you to edit, remove, or update links right from their interface, saving time compared to manual edits.
4. Do broken links affect my search engine rankings?
Absolutely. Search engines consider broken links as signs of poor site health, which can negatively impact your rankings—especially if you have many dead links.
5. Should I use multiple plugins to check for broken links?
No, it’s best to use only one broken link checker at a time. Using several can overburden your server and might cause inaccurate results.
With this guide and the right toolset, your WordPress site can stay free of dead ends, delighting users and keeping search engines happy!