Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsSome links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The practical way to receive WordPress 404 email alerts is to install a 404-monitoring plugin, enable its log, and configure either threshold alerts or scheduled reports. The 404 to 301 plugin listing documents both patterns. Treat each alert as a lead to investigate—not as an instruction to redirect every missing URL.
What a 404 alert can tell you
A 404 is generated when a requested URL cannot be served. The request might come from a broken internal link, a page that was removed, a mistyped address, a missing image or script, an outdated external link, an automated probe, or a wider permalink problem. A useful alert includes enough context to distinguish those cases.
The 404 to 301 listing describes logging the requested URL and referrer, filtering by request type, excluding paths, tracking status, and cleaning old log entries. It also describes controls related to WordPress’s URL-guessing behavior. Exact labels can change, so use the current plugin screen as the authority.
Set up email notifications with a 404-monitoring plugin
1. Install a current plugin
- In WordPress, open Plugins → Add New Plugin.
- Search for a 404-monitoring plugin, or open the official 404 to 301 – Redirect Manager, 301 Redirection, 404 Error Logs & 404 Monitoring listing.
- Check the listing’s current WordPress-version compatibility, update history, and feature description before installing. Activate the plugin, and check that it does not duplicate an existing redirect or caching plugin.
2. Turn on logging and notifications
- Open the plugin’s settings and enable 404 logging.
- Choose an email recipient and notification mode. The 404 to 301 listing describes a configurable hit threshold that triggers an alert and scheduled reports sent daily, weekly, or monthly, with a CSV attachment.
- Use a threshold for urgent, repeatedly requested URLs; use a digest when occasional crawler noise would otherwise fill the inbox. Keep the setting appropriate to your traffic rather than copying a value from another site.
- Save the settings and make a controlled request to a deliberately nonexistent URL, then confirm that it appears in the log and that the expected recipient receives the message.
The listing documents these capabilities, but that is not proof that mail will leave your particular host. WordPress must be able to send mail, and your host, SMTP service, spam filters, and recipient policy can all affect delivery.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
How to triage an alert
Open the log entry or report and inspect the URL, referrer, request type, and how often it has appeared where your plugin exposes those fields. Then choose the smallest correct fix.
| What the request suggests | Action |
|---|---|
| An internal page links to the missing URL | Correct the link at its source. Add a redirect only if a closely related, permanent destination exists. |
| A removed page still has valuable inbound links | Restore the page or redirect it to the most relevant replacement. |
| A missing image, stylesheet, script, feed, or other asset | Restore the asset or fix the template, upload path, or deployment that references it. |
| An old external referrer or a mistyped address | Fix your own links if possible; otherwise, ignore or exclude the noise when no useful destination exists. |
| Many valid-looking URLs fail together | Investigate permalinks and server rewrite rules before creating individual redirects. |
Do not send every nonexistent URL to the homepage. An irrelevant redirect can hide the original problem and gives visitors no useful destination.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
When a 404 indicates a configuration problem
If valid pages across the site suddenly return 404, treat the pattern as a system issue. Resave Settings → Permalinks (without changing the intended structure), review recent server or migration changes, and check rewrite configuration. WordPress’s Common WordPress errors documentation lists Apache mod_rewrite configuration among possible causes of pretty-permalink 404s. Also check Nginx or other server rules with the person who manages your hosting.
Recommended Free Tools
Choosing between related tools
| Tool or approach | Primary focus | Documented notification pattern | Useful when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 404 to 301 | Incoming 404 requests and their logs | Configurable hit-threshold alerts; daily, weekly, or monthly reports with CSV | You need request-level triage, filters, exclusions, and cleanup controls |
| Broken Link Notifier | Links found in site content as visitors load pages | Email and collaboration-service notices, according to its listing | You want to discover broken links inside published content; this is adjacent to, not necessarily a replacement for, incoming-404 logging |
| WorkflowDone 404 Monitor | 404 monitoring | Automatic detection and email notifications are described in its listing | You are comparing alternatives; its listing does not establish the same controls or setup as 404 to 301 |
There is no documented tested ranking among these options. Compare current compatibility, the details exposed for triage, notification controls, mail-delivery requirements, retention and privacy settings, and overlap with any redirect or caching plugin already active.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Privacy, retention, and alert quality
- 404 logs can retain request data. The 404 to 301 listing describes masking or omitting IP addresses, excluding paths, and clearing logs; configure those controls to match your privacy policy and retention needs.
- Exclude predictable, irrelevant paths only after confirming they are noise. Excluding too broadly can hide a real broken asset or attack pattern.
- Use reports to find recurring issues and threshold alerts for high-impact requests. Keep a record of the fix and recheck the URL after deployment.
- After changing mail, DNS, SMTP, or security settings, repeat a controlled 404 test. A plugin’s feature listing cannot guarantee inbox delivery on your installation.
A repeatable maintenance routine
- Review threshold alerts promptly and weekly or monthly reports on a schedule that matches site traffic.
- Group identical URLs and distinguish internal referrers, external referrers, assets, and automated requests.
- Fix the source link or resource first; redirect only to a genuinely relevant replacement.
- Investigate site-wide bursts as permalink or rewrite incidents.
- Clear or retain resolved entries according to your operational and privacy requirements, then verify the fix with a fresh request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will installing a 404 plugin guarantee that alert emails arrive?
No. The plugin can generate alerts, but delivery also depends on WordPress mail configuration, your host or SMTP service, spam filtering, and recipient rules. Send a controlled test on the actual site.
Should every logged 404 be redirected?
No. Fix an internal link, restore a useful resource, or redirect only when a closely relevant destination exists. Ignore or exclude requests that are mistyped, obsolete, automated, or otherwise have no suitable replacement.
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
What should I do if many legitimate URLs become 404s at once?
Check permalink settings and server rewrite configuration before adding individual redirects. WordPress documents Apache mod_rewrite as one possible cause of pretty-permalink failures.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Quick Recap
Best Value
- [Upgraded Version] - This external hard drive features a mirrored logo stripe combined with a striped anti-slip design, and the rounded corners of the casing make it easier to grip. The stripes also have a heat dissipation function, ensuring stable and fast data transfer.
- 【Ultra-thin and quiet】 - The motherboard adopts JMicron 578 noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- 【Ultra-Fast Data Transfers】 - Pairing this external hard drive with JMicron 578 solution USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 interfaces enables blazing-fast data transfer. It boasts theoretical read speeds of up to 125MB/s and write speeds of up to 103MB/s.
- 【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
- 【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
