Fix 404 Not Found after uploading or migrating a site

A 404 Not Found means the web server cannot find the page or file for the requested URL. After uploading or migrating a website, 404 errors are usually caused by one of these issues:

• Files were uploaded to the wrong folder (wrong document root).
• The website does not have an index file (index.php or index.html).
• URL rewriting is not working (for example, missing WordPress .htaccess rules).
• The domain is pointing to the wrong place (DNS is not updated yet).

1) Confirm the domain is pointing to the correct GARMTECH service

If the domain was moved recently, make sure it is pointing to the correct hosting:

• If you use GARMTECH nameservers, they are: ns1.garmtech.com, ns2.garmtech.com, ns3.garmtech.com.
• If you use external DNS (Cloudflare, registrar DNS), make sure the A/AAAA record points to the correct server IP, or the CNAME points to the correct hostname.

After DNS changes, allow time for propagation (it can take from minutes up to 24–48 hours depending on TTL and caching).

2) Verify website files are in the correct folder (Plesk)

1. Log in to Plesk via My.GARMTECH.
2. Open Websites & Domains → select the affected domain.
3. Open Files (File Manager).
4. Open httpdocs and confirm your website files are there.

Tip: Each domain/subdomain in Plesk has its own document root. Uploading files to another domain’s httpdocs will result in 404 on the target domain.

3) Check you have an index file

For most websites, the document root must contain one of these files:

• index.php (common for WordPress and PHP sites)
• index.html (static websites)

If there is no index file, the server may show 404 or a default placeholder page depending on settings.

4) If it is WordPress: regenerate permalinks and .htaccess

After migration, WordPress pages often return 404 even though files exist. The most common fix:

1. Log in to wp-admin.
2. Open Settings → Permalinks.
3. Click Save Changes (no changes required). This recreates rewrite rules.

If you cannot access wp-admin, check that .htaccess exists in httpdocs and has the standard WordPress rewrite rules (or temporarily disable plugins that modify rewrites).

5) Clear caches

• Clear browser cache or test in incognito.
• If you use WordPress caching (LSCache), purge cache after fixes.
• If you use a proxy (Cloudflare), purge its cache too.

Still getting 404?

Collect the following details before further troubleshooting:

• Which exact URL returns 404 (home page, only inner pages, only one section).
• Whether the domain was recently moved/changed DNS.
• Screenshot of the 404 page.