How To Fix Or Remove Broken Links In WordPress: The Complete 2025 Guide

In the dynamic world of website management, one issue can quietly damage your site’s credibility, SEO rankings, and user experience — broken links. Understanding How To Fix Or Remove Broken Links In WordPress is not just about aesthetics; it’s crucial for search engine performance and site authority. In this comprehensive and up-to-date guide, you’ll learn actionable steps, reliable tools, and best practices to tackle this issue like a pro.

Whether you’re a blogger, marketer, or developer, this tutorial is tailored to help international website owners master How To Fix Or Remove Broken Links In WordPress quickly and effectively.

Why Broken Links Are a Serious Problem in WordPress

  • Negative SEO Impact: Search engines like Google consider broken links as a sign of poor maintenance. Over time, this can affect your page rankings.
  • Poor User Experience: Visitors clicking on dead links will lose trust in your site and likely bounce.
  • Reduces Crawl Efficiency: Search bots waste crawl budget on broken links, missing more important pages.
  • Loss of Link Equity: Any backlinks pointing to broken pages stop passing value to your site.
  • Affects Conversion Rates: Users who hit 404 pages in the conversion funnel may abandon your site altogether.
  • Impacts Internal Navigation: Internal broken links hinder the structure and flow of your content.
  • Makes Your Site Look Outdated: A site full of broken links signals a lack of care or professionalism.
  • Hurts Accessibility: For users relying on screen readers, broken links create unnecessary friction.

These issues highlight why it’s essential to understand How To Fix Or Remove Broken Links In WordPress and prevent them in the first place.

How To Detect Broken Links in WordPress

1. Use a Plugin Like Broken Link Checker

  • Install and activate the Broken Link Checker plugin from your WordPress dashboard.
  • The plugin will automatically scan your entire site, including posts, pages, and comments.
  • It flags broken internal and external links, displaying them in an easy-to-read dashboard.
  • You can filter links by status: broken, redirects, or unverified.
  • The plugin also allows direct editing of broken links from the plugin interface.
  • Notifications can be enabled for instant alerts about new broken links.
  • Best of all, it’s free and lightweight, making it ideal for beginners.
  • This is the simplest way to begin learning How To Fix Or Remove Broken Links In WordPress.

2. Leverage Google Search Console

  • Login to your Google Search Console account and select your website.
  • Navigate to the ‘Pages’ or ‘Coverage’ section where errors like 404s are reported.
  • Identify which URLs are returning 404 errors due to broken links.
  • Often, these links are from old content or deleted pages.
  • You can download a list of broken URLs and begin manual correction.
  • This method is recommended for those wanting to learn How To Fix Or Remove Broken Links In WordPress using first-party tools.
  • It also helps keep your site compliant with Google’s indexing policies.
  • Ideal for SEO-conscious webmasters and agencies.

3. Use Online Tools Like Ahrefs or Screaming Frog

  • These advanced SEO tools provide full site crawls that include broken link reporting.
  • Ahrefs’ “Site Audit” and Screaming Frog’s desktop crawler both offer in-depth insights.
  • They display HTTP response codes, anchor text, and source pages.
  • These tools can scan thousands of URLs efficiently.
  • Suitable for large websites or WooCommerce stores.
  • Though they’re premium tools, many offer free trials.
  • Highly recommended for those managing multiple client sites.
  • It’s an advanced way to explore How To Fix Or Remove Broken Links In WordPress professionally.

How To Fix Or Remove Broken Links In WordPress – Manual Methods

1. Manually Edit and Replace URLs

  • Log into your WordPress dashboard and open the post/page with the broken link.
  • Find the broken link in the content editor and update it to a working URL.
  • Ensure the new link leads to the correct, relevant page.
  • Save changes and test the link to verify it loads correctly.
  • This method ensures the most accurate fix since you’re manually checking context.
  • It’s great for editorial blogs or niche content creators.
  • For regular upkeep, focus on your most visited pages.
  • This is the classic method in any guide about How To Fix Or Remove Broken Links In WordPress.

2. Remove the Link Altogether

  • Sometimes the best fix is to remove the link if no replacement is available.
  • This avoids sending users to a 404 page, improving UX.
  • Simply delete the hyperlink tag from the anchor text.
  • You can keep the text if it makes sense contextually.
  • This approach is better than linking to irrelevant or outdated resources.
  • Consider adding a note like “link removed due to content unavailability.”
  • Keep a backup of the original URL for reference.
  • A solid fallback option in your strategy for How To Fix Or Remove Broken Links In WordPress.

Using Redirects to Handle Broken Links

1. Install a Redirection Plugin

  • Plugins like “Redirection” allow you to create 301 redirects within WordPress.
  • Use it to redirect broken URLs to relevant alternatives.
  • Redirecting helps retain link equity and SEO value.
  • Prevents users from hitting 404 errors.
  • Use wildcards to bulk redirect similar patterns.
  • Keeps your site hierarchy clean and SEO-friendly.
  • Add a redirect every time you delete a post or change a permalink.
  • Crucial step in mastering How To Fix Or Remove Broken Links In WordPress.

2. Configure .htaccess for Advanced Redirects

  • For Apache servers, you can manually add redirect rules in the .htaccess file.
  • Example: Redirect 301 /old-page.html https://yoursite.com/new-page/
  • Use this method when plugin access is limited or in multisite environments.
  • Ensure you back up your .htaccess before making changes.
  • Mistakes in this file can crash your site.
  • Recommended for experienced users or developers.
  • Offers faster processing than plugin-based redirects.
  • Part of the technical side of How To Fix Or Remove Broken Links In WordPress.

️ How To Prevent Broken Links In the Future

1. Use Permalink-Friendly Structures

  • Avoid using date-based or category-based permalinks.
  • Keep URL slugs simple and permanent.
  • WordPress allows you to customize permalinks in Settings > Permalinks.
  • Clean URLs are easier to remember and less prone to future errors.
  • Greatly reduces the chance of 404 errors.
  • Use hyphens (-) instead of underscores (_) for better readability.
  • Consistency in URLs helps Google index your content properly.
  • Foundational step for prevention in any guide on How To Fix Or Remove Broken Links In WordPress.

2. Regularly Audit Your Content

  • Set a calendar reminder to audit links monthly.
  • Focus audits on popular blog posts, landing pages, and evergreen content.
  • Use Broken Link Checker or Ahrefs to streamline audits.
  • Refresh external links with updated resources.
  • Remove or replace links that point to outdated or removed sites.
  • Keep your internal linking up to date with your current architecture.
  • Consider linking to internal pages over external ones when possible.
  • Preventive care is just as important as knowing How To Fix Or Remove Broken Links In WordPress.

❓ FAQs – How To Fix Or Remove Broken Links In WordPress

Q1. What causes broken links in WordPress?

A: Common causes include deleted pages, outdated URLs, misspelled links, or changes in permalink structure.

Q2. How often should I check for broken links?

A: At least once a month or after major updates. Use automated tools for consistent monitoring.

Q3. Can too many broken links hurt my SEO?

A: Absolutely. Google sees excessive broken links as a signal of a poorly maintained site.

Q4. Should I use plugins or fix links manually?

A: A combination of both is ideal. Plugins provide detection, but manual edits offer precision.

Q5. Are 404 pages bad for my site?

A: They’re not inherently bad, but too many of them degrade UX and SEO. Redirects or updates are better.

Q6. Is Broken Link Checker plugin safe and up to date?

A: As of 2025, yes. But always check plugin reviews and updates before installing.

✅ Conclusion: Don’t Let Broken Links Weaken Your Site

Maintaining a clean and functional website is essential for SEO, user experience, and authority. Now that you know How To Fix Or Remove Broken Links In WordPress, it’s time to put this knowledge into action. Regular audits, responsible linking practices, and proactive monitoring can keep your site healthy and competitive.

Remember, broken links aren’t just minor nuisances—they can be deal-breakers in building trust and search visibility.

Take control today. Start your audit, install the right tools, and secure your site’s future by fixing or removing those broken links now.

Need help setting up redirects or installing plugins? Drop a comment or contact us for support!