How to Customize 404 Page Text and Images in WordPress Themes

The 404 page is displayed when visitors attempt to access a page that doesn’t exist on your WordPress site. Customizing this page is not only helpful for improving user experience but also a great place to express your brand. This post explains how to change both the text and images on the 404 error page in WordPress themes, based on common questions and recent updates discussed in our community.

Understanding the 404 Page in WordPress

The 404 error page is usually generated by a template file in your theme, often named 404.php. This template can be edited to change what users see when they land on a non-existent page.

Customizing 404 Page Text and Images

• Changing Text: Text on the 404 page can typically be modified by editing the 404.php template through Appearance > Theme Editor or using a child theme. Look for text strings in the file and adjust them as desired.
• Changing Images: To add or update images, you’ll need to modify the 404.php file as well. Add HTML <img> tags with the source set to your chosen image, or replace any existing images.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing the 404 Page

• Locate the 404 Template: In your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Theme Editor and open the 404.php file. If your theme does not have this file, you may need to create one in your child theme.
• Edit Text: Find the existing text you wish to change within 404.php and update it accordingly.
• Edit or Add Images: To add or change images, insert or modify <img> tags in the page. For example:
  

  <img src="https://yoursite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/your-image.png" alt="404 Not Found" />

• Save Changes: After editing, save the file and visit a non-existent page on your site to see the changes.

Theme or Plugin Support

If your theme does not allow direct editing of the 404 page, or you prefer not to edit theme files, consider using a plugin such as “Custom 404 Pro” or “404page – your smart custom 404 error page” to design a 404 page using the WordPress block editor.

Note: The theme developer team is aware of the need for more flexible 404 image customization. An update is in progress to offer enhanced options in upcoming theme versions. Stay tuned for theme updates for more features.

Conclusion

Customizing your 404 error page’s text and images is a great way to improve user experience. You can generally achieve this by editing your theme’s 404.php file or by using a dedicated plugin. If your theme is soon to be updated, additional options may become available to further simplify this process. If you have further questions, feel free to reach out to your theme support team.