Why WP Pagination Next Page Button Leads to 404 Error

You add WP Pagination to your blog. Page 1 works. Click “Next Page.” 404 error. Page not found. That is frustrating because users cannot see older posts.

A common issue is that custom permalinks conflict with pagination. Or query parameters are missing. The plugin is not broken. Permalink structure needs adjustment.

Why WP Pagination Next Page Leads to 404

WP Pagination generates links like /page/2/. If permalink structure is custom (not Post Name), pagination may fail. Also, if theme uses custom query without pagination parameters, next page has no posts. 404 appears.

This is not WP Pagination being bad. Permalinks and queries must support pagination.

The Most Common Pagination 404 Causes

• Permalink structure set to Plain (not Post Name)
• Custom query missing paged parameter
• Static front page with posts page (conflict)
• Posts per page mismatch (query vs settings)
• Plugin conflict with rewrite rules

Check permalinks first.

How to Fix WP Pagination 404 Errors

1. Go to Settings → Permalinks
2. Select “Post Name” permalink structure
3. Click Save Changes (flushes rewrite rules)
4. Go to Settings → Reading
5. Set “Blog pages show at most” to same number as your query
6. Clear cache and test pagination

Post Name permalink fixes most 404 issues.

How to Fix Custom Query Pagination

Add paged parameter to custom query:

$paged = (get_query_var('paged')) ? get_query_var('paged') : 1;
$args = array('posts_per_page' => 10, 'paged' => $paged);
$query = new WP_Query($args);

Without paged parameter, pagination always shows page 1.

Alternative: Use Default WordPress Pagination

If WP Pagination fails, use WordPress default next_posts_link():

Default pagination is more reliable.

People Also Ask About Pagination 404 Errors

Why does my next page button go to 404?

Permalink structure not Post Name. Change to Post Name.

Should I stop using WP Pagination?

Fix permalinks. Pagination will work.

Is WP Pagination worse than WP-PageNavi?

Both need proper permalinks. Set Post Name structure.

Final Thoughts

If WP Pagination next page leads to 404, set permalink structure to Post Name. Flush rewrite rules. Pagination links will work correctly.