Troubleshooting '404 Not Found' Error in Nginx Configuration

Disclaimer/Disclosure: Some of the content was synthetically produced using various Generative AI (artificial intelligence) tools; so, there may be inaccuracies or misleading information present in the video. Please consider this before relying on the content to make any decisions or take any actions etc. If you still have any concerns, please feel free to write them in a comment. Thank you.
---

Summary: Learn how to diagnose and fix the "404 Not Found" error on your Nginx server by troubleshooting the configuration settings. Understand common causes and solutions for a seamless web server experience.
---

Troubleshooting "404 Not Found" Error in Nginx Configuration

If you've encountered the frustrating "404 Not Found" error while trying to access a web page on your Nginx server, don't panic. This error typically indicates that the server could not find the requested resource, and it can be resolved by examining and adjusting your Nginx configuration. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to troubleshoot and fix the issue.

Verify the URL and File Paths

The first step in resolving a "404 Not Found" error is to double-check the URL you're trying to access. Ensure that there are no typos in the URL and that you're requesting the correct resource. Additionally, confirm that the file paths specified in your Nginx configuration accurately reflect the location of your web content.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Check File and Directory Permissions

Incorrect file and directory permissions can lead to a "404 Not Found" error. Ensure that the Nginx process has the necessary permissions to access and serve the files. Use the ls command to check the ownership and permissions of the files and directories.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Adjust the permissions using the chmod command if needed:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Examine Nginx Error Logs

Nginx logs can provide valuable insights into the cause of the "404 Not Found" error. Check the error logs for any relevant information:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Look for error messages that might indicate issues with file locations, permissions, or other configuration settings.

Verify Server Block Configuration

Ensure that your Nginx server block configuration is correctly set up. Pay attention to the location block and the root directive. If using virtual hosts, confirm that the server_name matches the requested domain.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Restart Nginx

After making any changes to your Nginx configuration, restart the server to apply the updates:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

Resolving the "404 Not Found" error on Nginx involves a systematic approach to troubleshooting. By verifying URLs, checking file permissions, examining error logs, and confirming server block configurations, you can identify and address the root cause of the issue. Following these steps should help you restore normal functionality to your web server.