Few things are worse for user experience and SEO than broken links. They frustrate visitors, hurt your search rankings, and can make your site look unprofessional. Luckily, WordPress offers simple ways to find and fix these errors before they do any damage. Here’s how to locate and repair broken links quickly.

Broken links usually happen when pages are deleted, URLs change, or external websites go offline. The good news is you can identify and fix them with ease.

1. Use a Plugin to Scan for Broken Links
The easiest method is installing a plugin like Broken Link Checker or WP Link Status.
These tools automatically scan your site for dead links and show results directly in your dashboard.

2. Review the List of Errors
Once the scan is complete, review the broken links section. You’ll see the affected URLs, where they appear, and what type of error (like 404) occurred.

3. Fix or Replace the Links

  • If the link is internal, check whether the page slug has changed.

  • For external links, try updating the URL or replacing it with a similar source.

  • If the page no longer exists, remove the link altogether.

4. Redirect Old URLs
Use a plugin like Redirection to forward users from outdated links to the correct page. This maintains SEO value and user trust.

5. Recheck Your Site
After making updates, rerun your scan to confirm everything is working properly.

Pro Tips:

  • Perform link audits every few months, especially after redesigns or migrations.

  • Avoid linking to temporary pages or short-lived content.

  • Use tools like Ahrefs or Semrush for deeper backlink monitoring.

Bonus Tip:
You can also use Google Search Console to find 404 errors and fix them manually. Go to the Coverage report to see any broken URLs Google has detected.

Maintaining healthy links keeps your visitors happy and your SEO strong. By regularly checking for and repairing broken URLs, you ensure your WordPress site stays professional, fast, and reliable.