Sitemap Index Giving 404 Error? Try These Simple Steps

It's funny how a plugin on your site will stop working without notice. Sometimes, I get vexed when a plugin tries to mess with my blog simply because I upgraded to its latest version or I upgraded my blog's platform.

I had a minor issue with my sitemap some few days ago. Well, I wouldn't call it minor because Google was not indexing my blog for some days due to my sitemap URL was not available.

Must Read: Disabling Category from Appearing On Your WordPress Front Page

WHAAT... how could that have happened you say? My host did an upgrade that lasted for 4 days, so the upgrade affected my blog.

After some few more days, I checked my Google Webmaster tool to discover that my site wasn't being indexed. How that could have been, beats me.

I quickly checked my sitemap URL and discovered that truly my blog has been running for a while without a sitemap

Sitemap Index Giving 404 Error? Try These Simple Steps

Okay, I am using the WordPress SEO sitemap to run my blog. I am no more using a stand-alone sitemap plugin because I am watching the weight of my blog . Keeping your blog plugin to its minimal is the best way to ensure a healthy blog *****fact*****

Must Read: How to Create the Perfect Contact Page and Boost Your Business

I checked online for a solution to my little but big problem and discovered that many bloggers using the WordPress SEO sitemap get this similar problem. Thank God I am not the only blogger having this problem 😀

Would you like to know how I resolved the sitemap issue? Then continue reading...

TRY THE BELOW STEPS TO RESOLVE THE SITEMAP 404 ERROR

If you are using the WordPress SEO sitemap chances of having a similar problem is high, so following the below steps will help you out...

Okay, first go to your WordPress Admin Dashboard and click " Settings" >>> click " Permalinks ".

In your " Permalink Settings" simply scroll down and click " Save Changes ".

Note: Don't adjust or change anything, just click the save changes button only and you are done with the first step.

Now check your sitemap URL... has it started working? If yes, let's go to our Webmaster tool so Google can better index our site once more.

Must Read: Using your Blog Logo as Favicon to Boost Your Brand

Go to your Google Webmaster Tool >>> Click " Crawl" >>> Click " Sitemap" >>> Click the box beside your sitemap and click the " Resubmit " button.

You'll get a message like " Are you sure you want to resubmit 1 sitemaps?" Click the " Yes " button

You will get another message saying " Sitemaps were successfully resubmitted" >>> then click the " Refresh the Page " link.

Wait for some few hours for your sitemap to be processed. After that, you will get indexed and crawled by Google.

Conclusion

If you are using the WordPress SEO sitemap, you might face this problem along the line. Now, here is a backup plan to help and protect your blog 😉

Back to you

Looks like I have said so much about so much on "Sitemap index giving 404 error" now it's time to pass the keyboard to you guys

Do you use the WordPress SEO sitemap? Have you faced such problem before? How did you solve the problem? Please, do drop your reply using the comment box below...

Must Read: Windows 10 Hibernate Option and How to Enable it

Do you have comments, questions, and thoughts you'd love to share with us? Do use the comment box below to share them.

Remember that your comments, questions, and thoughts are highly welcomed and much appreciated.

Do not forget to share this post with your friends, so they can know how to face such problem when is arises.

Are you leaving? Subscribe to our feed for your latest updates on the go...