How to Find and Fix Broken Links on Your Website
Most website checkers problems come from a few simple causes: the wrong input, the wrong settings or a file or value that breaks a basic rule. This guide lists the most common problems, explains why they happen and shows how to fix each one in seconds.
Why These Problems Happen
The checker sends a request to your website like a browser or search-engine crawler would. It reads the server response, headers and page content, then reports what it finds along with problems to fix.
Because every tool follows strict rules, a small mistake in the input or settings can produce an error or an unexpected result. The good news is that almost every problem has a quick fix.
Problems and Fixes at a Glance
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Website cannot be reached | Check that the site is online and not blocking automated checks. |
| Score did not improve after a fix | Clear server and CDN caches, then run the check again. |
| Different results for www and non-www | Redirect one version to the other with a 301 redirect. |
| Checking only the homepage instead of important inner pages | Avoid this – see the tips below |
| Ignoring the www vs non-www and http vs https versions | Avoid this – see the tips below |
Problem 1: Website cannot be reached
Check that the site is online and not blocking automated checks. If the problem continues, test with a small, simple input first, then try your full file or value again.
Problem 2: Score did not improve after a fix
Clear server and CDN caches, then run the check again. If the problem continues, test with a small, simple input first, then try your full file or value again.
Problem 3: Different results for www and non-www
Redirect one version to the other with a 301 redirect. If the problem continues, test with a small, simple input first, then try your full file or value again.
Mistakes That Cause Most Errors
- Checking only the homepage instead of important inner pages.
- Ignoring the www vs non-www and http vs https versions.
- Fixing warnings before critical errors.
- Not re-testing after making a fix.
Use Websites Broken Link Checker to Check Your Work
Find broken links (404 errors) on your website for free. Open Websites Broken Link Checker.
- Enter the website URL in the box.
- Click the check button.
- Wait a few seconds while the page is analysed.
- Read the results and fix any problems that are found.
Prevention Checklist
- Check both the www and non-www versions of your site.
- Fix critical errors first, then warnings.
- Re-test after each change to confirm the fix.
- Run regular checks as part of your monthly SEO routine.
Helpful Tools
- Htaccess Redirect Generator – Generate .
- XML Sitemap Generator – Generate an XML sitemap for your website and help Google crawl all your pages.
- Spider Simulator – See your web page the way a search engine crawler sees it.
Related Tasks You Can Do
Htaccess Redirect Generator
The .htaccess file on Apache and LiteSpeed servers (including Hostinger) controls redirects. One preferred URL version avoids duplicate content. It is useful for forcing https, choosing www or non-www, fixing duplicate content. Try Htaccess Redirect Generator.
XML Sitemap Generator
An XML sitemap lists the important URLs of your website. Submitting it in Google Search Console helps search engines find and index pages faster. It is useful for new websites, sites with many pages, after site migrations. Try XML Sitemap Generator.
Spider Simulator
A spider simulator shows the text, links and meta data crawlers can read. Content hidden in images or scripts may not be visible to search engines. It is useful for technical seo audits, checking crawlable content, link audits. Try Spider Simulator.
Worked Example
Example: an old blog post links to a page that was deleted. A broken link checker finds the 404; you either update the link to a relevant live page or add a 301 redirect, so visitors and crawlers no longer hit a dead end.
Quick Reference Table
| Check | Healthy result | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| SSL | Valid, not expired | Trust and HTTPS ranking signal |
| Compression | GZIP or Brotli on | Faster pages |
| Links | No 404 errors | Better user experience |
| Crawlability | Text readable by bots | Content can be indexed |
Glossary of Key Terms
- SSL/TLS certificate
- Enables HTTPS and encrypts data between visitors and your site.
- 404 error
- A page or link that cannot be found.
- GZIP / Brotli
- Compression methods that shrink files sent by the server.
- Crawler (spider)
- A bot that reads pages for a search engine.
- Index
- The database of pages a search engine can show in results.
Best Practices
Check SSL expiry dates, run a broken-link scan monthly, keep important text as real HTML (not inside images) and make sure compression is enabled on your server.
How It Works Behind the Scenes
The checker sends a request to your website like a browser or search-engine crawler would. It reads the server response, headers and page content, then reports what it finds along with problems to fix.
Key Takeaways
- Most website checkers problems come from a few simple causes: the wrong input, the wrong settings or a file or value that breaks a basic rule.
- Check both the www and non-www versions of your site.
- Fix critical errors first, then warnings.
- Use the free Websites Broken Link Checker to get the job done in seconds.
Related Free Tools
- Htaccess Redirect Generator – Generate .
- XML Sitemap Generator – Generate an XML sitemap for your website and help Google crawl all your pages.
- Spider Simulator – See your web page the way a search engine crawler sees it.
Explore all Free Website Checkers on pdfseotools.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I fix broken links?
Update the link, remove it, or add a 301 redirect.
How often should I check?
Monthly for active websites.
Is it free?
Yes, completely free.
Is it free to use?
Yes. All tools mentioned in this guide are free on pdfseotools.com, with no sign-up and no installation.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. The tools work in Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Edge on Android, iPhone, Windows and Mac.
Conclusion
How to Find and Fix Broken Links on Your Website is quick and easy with the right tool. Bookmark the Websites Broken Link Checker and explore more website checkers to finish your work faster – free, secure and on any device.