Overview
A 404 error is simply a status code that is sent to a users browser whenever a resource that has been requested cannot be found. A resource can be anything form a single page or image on a site, to the entire website.
DNN is able to serve a page of your choosing whenever a 404 error is encountered. Alternatively, you can disable custom error pages within DNN and let the webserver itself handle the error. If you wish to set up a custom 404 page or disable custom 404 errors, please see the instructions below:
Custom 404 Pages on DNN 5-8
How to Enable and Use DNN Custom Error Pages
- Log in to your site as a Host level user
- Go to Host > Host Settings
- On the 'Basic Settings' tab, expand the 'Appearance' section and check the box that says 'Use Custom Error Messages'

- Click 'Update' at the bottom of the page
Now that we have enabled the custom 404 page functionality within DNN, we must specify a page to serve when a 404 error is encountered. DNN provides a default 404 page, however you may specify your own or even create a new page specifically to act as your custom 404 page. Once a page has been created, you can set the 404 page using the following instructions.
- Go to Admin > Site Settings
- On the 'Advanced Settings' tab, expand 'Page Management'
- Set the '404 Error Page' to either a page you wish to use, or to '<None Specified>' if you wish to allow the webserver to handle 404 errors. This effectively disables custom 404 pages within DNN.

- Click 'Update' at the bottom of the page to save your changes
- Your custom 404 page is now set, however you must also ensure that the page is not disabled via Admin > Page Management

- Your custom 404 page should now be working as intended!
Custom 404 Pages in DNN 9
The process for setting up a custom 404 page in DNN 9 is very similar to versions prior, however there is no longer a setting to turn on or off custom error pages - you simply specify one or you do not. Please see the following instructions.
- Log in as a Host level user
- Go to the Settings cog, 'Site Settings' and then the 'Site Behavior' tab as seen below

- Set the '404 Error Page' to either a page you wish to use, or to '<None Specified>' if you wish to allow the webserver to handle 404 errors. This effectively disables custom 404 pages within DNN.
Article ID: 581, Created: April 10, 2012 at 9:47 AM, Modified: August 20, 2019 at 6:08 PM