What to Do When You Receive "The Page Cannot be Found" Error Message in Your Browser (264284)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Information Services 5.0
  • Microsoft Internet Information Services version 6.0
This article was previously published under Q264284
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 Web-Site 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, but you typed http://www.microsoft.com/test.html (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 uppercase or lowercase letters in the address. However, other Web servers may be case sensitive.

Open the Home Page

The second suggestion states:

Open the Web-Site 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).
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/15/2004
Keywords:kbhttp404 kbpending kbprb kbProd2Web KB264284
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.