How to fix “Error 301 moved permanently”

Encountering Error 301 Moved Permanently can be confusing when browsing or managing your website. This HTTP status code tells clients (browsers and search engines) that the requested URL has been permanently moved to a new location. A correct setup ensures users and search engines reach the intended page, avoids broken user journeys, and preserves search rankings.

This guide explains what the 301 status means, why it occurs, and practical steps you can follow to fix it on your website.

What does “301 moved permanently” mean?

A 301 Moved Permanently code is part of the HTTP protocol. When a browser requests a URL that has been permanently moved, the server responds with:

• a 301 status code
• a Location header with the new URL

The browser then automatically redirects the user to that new page. Search engines pass link authority from the old address to the new one, which is crucial for SEO.

Why does a 301 occur?

A 301 redirect is legitimate and useful when:

• you restructure URLs (for example, change a page slug)
• you switch the site from http to https
• you migrate a page or domain permanently
• you consolidate similar content pages

However, a 301 can become a problem if:

• redirects point to the wrong URL
• there is a redirect loop or chain
• old URLs still appear internally
• redirects are not updated after site changes

Step-by-step guide to fix Error 301

1. Identify the cause

Before troubleshooting, find out why the 301 is happening.

• Are you intentionally redirecting the page?
• Did the page URL change recently?
• Are users or bots stuck in a loop?

Use browser developer tools, online redirect checkers, or server logs to identify which URLs trigger the 301. This will help you pinpoint whether the redirect is intentional or misconfigured.

2. Back up your files

Before editing anything, always back up your site files and configuration.

• make a backup of .htaccess (Apache)
• save server config files (nginx)
• create a staging copy if possible

This ensures you can undo changes if something goes wrong.

3. Check your server redirect configuration

Redirects can be defined at the server level:

For Apache (using .htaccess)

• open the .htaccess file in your site root
• ensure redirect syntax is correct
• avoid conflicting or repeated rules

Example:

Redirect 301 /old-page https://www.example.com/new-page

Replace /old-page and the destination URL with your actual paths.

For nginx

If your site runs nginx, redirects are set in its config file, such as nginx.conf:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name example.com;
    return 301 https://www.example.com$request_uri;
}

This sends all requests for example.com permanently to the https site.

4. Correct redirect loops and chains

Redirect problems often arise from loops or chains:

• redirect loop: Page A → Page B → Page A
• redirect chain: Page A → Page B → Page C

Both slow down responses and confuse browsers and search engines.

Fixes:

• remove intermediate steps so redirects go straight to the final URL
• check all relevant rules in .htaccess and server config
• clear cache after making changes so you test the latest behavior

5. Update internal links

To reduce unnecessary redirects:

• update internal links so they point directly to the final URL
• fix navigation menus, sitemaps, footers, and templates
• ensure your CMS doesn’t generate outdated links

This improves performance and avoids redirects within your site.

6. Update external backlinks (when possible)

If other websites link to outdated URLs:

• reach out to site owners to update links
• request updated links in guest post or directory listings

This reduces reliance on redirects and preserves link value.

7. Use redirect management tools or plugins

For WordPress or similar CMS platforms:

• use redirect plugins (for example, Redirection or similar)
• they let you create and manage redirects from the dashboard
• plugins help avoid manual edit errors in configuration files

This is often easier for site owners less comfortable editing server files.

8. Test your redirects

After applying changes:

• test redirect paths using online tools (redirect checkers)
• use browser dev tools to verify the final location and status
• confirm search engines index the new URLs correctly

Always verify that users and bots see the correct final destination.

9. Clear caches

After updating redirect configuration:

• clear server or CDN cache
• clear browser cache
• clear CMS cache or caching plugin files

Cached redirect responses can make it seem like changes did not apply.

10. Monitor regularly

Set up regular checks:

• use Google Search Console to find redirect errors
• use tools like Screaming Frog or other audit tools
• fix new redirect issues promptly

Regular monitoring helps maintain SEO health and user experience. DigiLuxo

Frequently Asked Questions

Will fixing a 301 redirect affect SEO?
Proper 301 redirects pass link equity from old to new pages, preserving SEO value.

How long do 301 redirects take to take effect?
The redirect itself is immediate, but search engines may take time to re-crawl and update indexing.

Can a 301 redirect be temporary?
No. For temporary moves use a 302 or 307 redirect.

Are too many redirects bad?
Multiple redirects cause slow loading and provide poor user experience. Keep redirects direct and minimal whenever possible.

Need more help?

Error 301 Moved Permanently is not inherently bad. When used correctly, a 301 redirect is a valuable tool for managing changes in your website’s URL structure while maintaining SEO and user experience. Follow these expanded steps to identify causes, update redirects, test your setup, and monitor future issues.

Id you need help with 301 redirect of your website, you can contact us through your Client Area → Support Tickets.