How to Fix 404 Errors on Netlify: Common Causes and Troubleshooting Guide

TL;DR:
Getting a 404 on Netlify? Nine times out of ten, it’s something simple—like you forgot the index.html, pointed the publish directory to the wrong place, your SPA isn’t handling routes the right way, or the build just fizzled out. Double-check where you’re sending your build, peek at your logs, and make sure SPA redirects are in play. That’s your fast lane to a fix.

The Real Reason You’re Getting a 404 on Netlify

Let’s be honest—404 errors are kind of like the “lost cat” posters of the web. Something’s gone missing, and Netlify’s trying to help you find it. Most of the time, it just can’t find your page because a file is missing, you told it to look in the wrong spot, or your site’s routing is a bit lost at sea.

Top Reasons Why Netlify Throws That Dreaded 404

Here’s what usually trips people up:

• There’s no index.html where Netlify expects to find it. (It’s like showing up to a house party and the door’s locked.)
• The publish directory is off. Maybe you told Netlify to look in /build but your site’s hiding in /dist.
• Single-page apps (SPAs) need some clever routing magic—otherwise, every deep-linked route, like /dashboard, throws a 404.
• Builds fail, so crucial files just… never existed on the server.

Ever stared at your homepage, wondering, “Did I forget something?” That’s your sign to check these first.

“Missing index.html”—This Happens All the Time

Guess what Netlify wants above all else? An index.html sitting pretty in the root of your publish directory. No clever tricks. If your static site builder (say, Gatsby, Hugo, you name it) isn’t generating one—or it lands in the wrong place—Netlify’s left empty-handed. Poke around your build folder and see if index.html is home. Not there? Time to wrangle your build config.

Where’s My Publish Directory Really Supposed to Be?

This is a classic pitfall. In your Netlify dashboard, there’s a “Publish directory” setting. That’s where Netlify will look for your finished website—build, dist, public, whatever your framework spits out.

For example:

• Create React App: use build
• Vue CLI: try dist
• Gatsby: it’s public

Get just one letter wrong, and bam—404 everywhere. Verify the folder matches what your build actually spits out. (Quick tip: staring, squinting, and cursing helps… but double-checking your output directory is faster.)

SPA Routing: The Netlify Gotcha Nobody Tells You

Are you building a single-page app? Here’s where it gets wild. Users click links inside your app—no problem! But if they reload a subpage or drop a direct link? Without the right rule, Netlify shrugs and shows a 404.

The solution’s easy: drop a file called _redirects in your publish directory with this single line:

/*    /index.html   200

That’s it. All your front-end routes swing back to index.html, and your SPA router takes it from there. Next time a friend says their /profile/settings page is broken, you can look smug and say, “Bet you forgot your SPA redirect.”

Failed Builds: The Lightning Bolt That Strikes Out of Nowhere

Your site built fine yesterday, but today? Error city. Always check your build logs in the Netlify dashboard. Maybe an environment variable is missing. Maybe you forgot to run npm install. Maybe the build script uses a spell only you understand and everyone else just made it angry.

You need a green, successful build to ship all those essential files—otherwise, it’s nothing but a fancy 404 generator.

Deployed Files: Peek Inside Netlify’s Closet

Ready to play detective? Netlify’s Deploy File Explorer is a hidden gem. Open it up and browse around—can you see index.html? Are your images, CSS, and JS files chilling in the right folders?

If stuff’s missing, circle back to your build. Or did you accidentally .gitignore your build directory? Happens more often than you’d think. It’s like hiding your keys, then wondering why you can’t leave the house.

Wrapping Up (No, Seriously—Go Check Your Files!)

Netlify 404 errors—while endlessly frustrating—are usually just a matter of misplaced files, a wrongly set directory, or a forgotten redirect. Follow the breadcrumbs: check for your index.html, confirm your publish directory, watch out for SPA routing gotchas, and scrutinize those build logs.

Honestly, troubleshooting is half the fun. There’s a weird satisfaction in clicking that refresh button and seeing your site pop to life, isn’t there? Don’t let a 404 keep you down—track it, fix it, and get your project back online for the world to see.