DOCUMENT:Q264284 06-AUG-2002 [iis] TITLE :What to Do When You Receive "The Page Cannot be Found" Error PRODUCT :Internet Information Server PROD/VER:winnt:5.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbOSWin2000 kbiis500prod2web kbhttp404 kbProd2Web ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Internet Information Services version 5.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This article is written for end-users (non-administrators) who need suggestions on what to do when they encounter the "The page cannot be found" error message. This article does not assume that the reader of the article knows the technical aspects of Web servers. SYMPTOMS ======== When you attempt to browse a Web site, the following error message is displayed at the top of the browser: The page cannot be found ------------------------ The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable. CAUSE ===== This error message occurs when the Web server cannot locate the Web page that your browser has requested. This error message is not caused by a problem on your computer. RESOLUTION ========== NOTE: Be sure to also read the "Workaround" section in this article for suggestions on how you can immediately work around this error message by using your Web browser. To assist in fixing the problem, so that the error message doesn't continue to occur, you may want to contact the Web server's administrator. There is usually an e-mail link on the Web page that lists the administrator's e-mail address (for example, WebMaster@Microsoft.com). Provide the administrator with the exact address (also known as the URL) that your browser was attempting to use when the error message occurred. TIP: To ensure that you provide the correct address, highlight the entire text of the Web address in the browser, and then copy and paste the address into the e-mail message that you send to the Web server's administrator. WORKAROUND ========== When you receive the "The page cannot be found" error message in your browser, the following suggestions are also provided: - If you typed the page address in the Address bar, make sure that it is spelled correctly. - Open the home page, and then look for links to the information you want. - Click the Back button to try another link. See the following sections for more information on each of these suggestions. Verify the Spelling of the Address: The first suggestion states: If you typed the page address in the Address bar, make sure that it is spelled correctly. If the address has any errors, no matter how small, the Web server cannot locate the Web page. For example, if the correct address is "http://www.microsoft.com/test.htm" (without the quotation marks), but you typed "http://www.microsoft.com/test.html" (without the quotation marks) (note the extra letter "l" at the end of the address), you will receive the error message. NOTE: Microsoft Internet Information Services is not case sensitive, which means that you do not have to worry about whether you type upper- or lower-case letters in the address. However, other Web servers may be case sensitive. Open the Home Page: The second suggestion states: Open the home page, and then look for links to the information you want. By opening to the home page, you may find an alternative valid link to the Web page. Use the Back Button: The third suggestion states: Click the Back button to try another link. This suggestion is similar to the second suggestion, in that if you return to the previous Web page, you may find an alternative link that is valid. Use the Web Site's Search Feature --------------------------------- Many Web sites provide a way to search for information on the Web site. By using the search function, you may be able to locate the Web page, even if the link you previously used is broken. Usually, the search feature is provided by a link labeled either Search or Find. The search link is usually located near the top or bottom of the Web page, or in the left or right-hand margins on some Web sites. MORE INFORMATION ================ Near the bottom of the error message, the following text is displayed in the browser: HTTP 404 - File not found This is the error message that most Web administrators usually refer to (rather than the "friendly" error message "The page cannot be found" that is displayed at the top of the browser). (c) Microsoft Corporation 2000, All Rights Reserved. Contributions by Kevin Zollman, Microsoft Corporation. Additional query words: iis 5 internet explorer ie netscape navigator opera mosaic aol broken link enduser end-user end user newbie akz ====================================================================== Keywords : kbOSWin2000 kbiis500prod2web kbhttp404 kbProd2Web Technology : kbiisSearch kbiis500 Version : winnt:5.0 Issue type : kbprb Solution Type : kbpending ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.