I’m running a WordPress website with WooCommerce and I’m having issues with URL structure. I need to use custom permalinks (pretty URLs) because I’m importing product data through the WordPress API from my suppliers.
The problem is weird - when I change the permalink structure from default to custom format, everything works fine at first. But after some time (usually a few hours or days), the URLs break and I get 404 errors.
I’ve tried the usual troubleshooting steps like regenerating the .htaccess file, deactivating plugins one by one, and checking my hosting configuration. My server runs Apache with mod_rewrite enabled and proper permissions set.
When I test my .htaccess rules, I notice this line seems problematic:
RewriteRule ^index.php$ - [L]
This rule appears to be failing when I run it through online debuggers. Has anyone experienced similar issues with WordPress permalink structure breaking after initial setup? What could cause this intermittent failure?
Had this exact problem with a client’s WooCommerce site last year. Since it’s happening randomly, you’ve probably got corrupted rewrite rules in your database. WordPress saves permalink structure in wp_options, and these get messed up during heavy API imports all the time. Go into phpMyAdmin (or your hosting panel) and run a database repair. Check the wp_options table for any broken rewrite_rules entries. That RewriteRule you mentioned is standard WordPress, so if it’s choking in debuggers, the corruption’s in your database - not the .htaccess file. Also check your memory limits during those API imports. Heavy imports make WordPress fail at writing proper rewrite rules, then your permalinks break hours later when the cache clears.
Check if ur runnin bulk imports during busy hours. WooCommerce hates processing big product batches while peeps are shopping. Schedule ur imports for quiet times instead - fixed the permalink issues on my store!
yeh, totally a caching prob! my host did the same, resetting htaccess at random. if ur on shared hosting like me, they might overwrite ur custom rules without a heads up. def check for any auto cleanup scripts runnin in the background.
You’re experiencing intermittent 404 errors on your WordPress WooCommerce site after changing to custom permalinks, especially after large product imports via the WordPress API. The initial setup works, but the URLs break after a few hours or days, and the RewriteRule ^index.php$ - [L] line in your .htaccess file seems to be a potential culprit, although it’s standard WordPress code. You’ve already tried common troubleshooting steps like regenerating .htaccess, deactivating plugins, and checking server configuration (Apache with mod_rewrite).
Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause):
The intermittent nature of the problem strongly suggests a timing conflict related to your API imports. Large imports trigger multiple WordPress hooks, which can interfere with the generation and updating of rewrite rules. WordPress stores these rules in the wp_options table in your database. Heavy imports can corrupt these entries, leading to broken permalinks when the cache clears (hours or days later). This isn’t necessarily a problem with your .htaccess file or server configuration itself; the issue lies in how WordPress handles the rewrite rules during these intensive import processes.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Flush Rewrite Rules After Each Import Batch: The most effective solution is to prevent the corruption from happening in the first place. Modify your API import script to include a step that explicitly flushes the rewrite rules after each batch of product data is imported. You can do this using the WordPress API function flush_rewrite_rules(). This ensures that the rewrite rules are correctly regenerated after each import, minimizing the chance of corruption.
// ... your import code ...
// After each batch of product imports:
flush_rewrite_rules();
Automate Database Cleanup (Optional but Recommended): To address existing corrupted entries, create a scheduled task (e.g., using WP-Cron or a similar system) that regularly cleans up the wp_options table. This automated cleanup will remove any orphaned or corrupted rewrite_rules entries that might accumulate over time. This is more advanced and requires some database knowledge. Consider using a dedicated plugin that provides this functionality to avoid manual database management.
Monitor and Automatically Repair (Advanced): For robust monitoring, set up a system that periodically checks for broken URLs (404 errors). If detected, the system should automatically trigger a flush_rewrite_rules() to refresh the permalinks. This proactive approach ensures a seamless user experience, preventing any downtime from broken links. This involves building a custom monitoring script or using a third-party plugin. (Refer to the link in Post ID 124432 for inspiration).
Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:
Memory Limits: Ensure your WordPress installation has sufficient memory allocated during API imports. Insufficient memory can lead to incomplete or corrupted database updates. Check your wp-config.php file and increase define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); (or higher, depending on your needs) if necessary.
Server-Side Caching: Aggressive server-side caching (independent of WordPress caching plugins) can interfere with .htaccess rules. Check your hosting control panel for caching settings and temporarily disable them to see if that resolves the issue. If so, you might need to configure your caching mechanism to exclude or handle .htaccess updates correctly.
Timing of Imports: Avoid running large imports during peak website traffic. Schedule imports for off-peak hours to minimize conflicts and improve performance.
Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!
This sounds like a server issue, not WordPress. I had the exact same thing happen when my host ran automatic security scans that kept resetting my .htaccess file back to default. The fact it works at first but breaks after a few hours or days screams external interference. Check your hosting control panel for automated security features or file monitoring that might be reverting your permalink changes. Also check your server error logs when the URLs start breaking - you’ll probably find clues about what’s messing with your files. Some hosts have aggressive server-level caching that screws with rewrite rules even when you’ve disabled WordPress caching.
Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause):
Step-by-Step Guide:
Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:
Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!