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Diagnostic tool

.htaccess Repair Generator

By Arjun Mehta Browser only, no data sent

Pick your setup and we'll output a safe default .htaccess you can upload.

Generate a clean, standards-compliant .htaccess file and end permalink or 500 errors instantly.

No login required Free forever

Step 1: Describe the issue

Frequently asked questions

Will replacing .htaccess break permalinks?

No. The tool outputs the standard WordPress rewrite block. After uploading it, resave permalinks in wp-admin.

Should I back up .htaccess first?

Yes. Always rename the existing file to .htaccess-old before replacing it.

What does .htaccess actually do on a WordPress site?

It tells Apache how to route every request, including pretty permalinks, HTTPS redirects, and access protection. A broken .htaccess can take the entire site offline.

Why are my permalinks suddenly returning 404 errors?

Almost always a missing or corrupted WordPress rewrite block. Replacing .htaccess with the standard block and resaving permalinks resolves it.

Does this work on Nginx or LiteSpeed servers?

LiteSpeed reads .htaccess natively, so the output applies. Nginx ignores .htaccess. On Nginx, ask your host for the equivalent rewrite block.

Can a bad .htaccess cause a 500 internal server error?

Yes. A malformed directive, invalid module reference, or unsupported flag will return a 500 error on every request until the file is repaired.

How do I force HTTPS in .htaccess safely?

Use the tool's HTTPS option to generate a clean rule. Do not combine it with a plugin that also forces HTTPS, or you can create a redirect loop.

Where is the .htaccess file located?

In the WordPress install root, alongside wp-config.php. If you cannot see it, enable 'show hidden files' in your FTP client or hosting file manager.

In-depth guide

Everything you need to know about the .htaccess Repair Generator

Overview

The .htaccess Repair Generator produces a clean, WordPress-standard Apache configuration that resolves the most common .htaccess-related failures: broken permalinks returning 404 errors, redirect loops, internal server errors caused by malformed rewrite rules, and HTTPS forcing rules left behind by deactivated security plugins. The tool outputs the exact rewrite block recommended by the WordPress core team and lets you preview the file before uploading.

A misconfigured .htaccess is one of the few WordPress issues that can take a site offline without ever touching the database or PHP files. Because the file lives at the Apache layer, ordinary WordPress debugging plugins cannot see it, which is why a dedicated repair tool is so valuable.

Why this matters for WordPress site owners

.htaccess controls how Apache routes every single request to your WordPress site. A single misplaced character can break every URL except the homepage. Search engines that crawl during the outage will see 404 errors on previously indexed pages, which can suppress organic traffic for weeks even after the file is repaired. Restoring a known-good .htaccess is usually a five-minute fix that prevents a much longer SEO recovery.

How to use this tool, step by step

  1. 1Select your WordPress installation type: subdirectory, root, or multisite.
  2. 2Choose whether you need standard rewrites, force HTTPS, or both.
  3. 3Copy the generated block, back up your existing .htaccess by renaming it, and upload the new file via FTP or your hosting file manager.

Expertise and methodology

The generated rewrite block matches the official WordPress codex recommendation and has been validated against Apache 2.4 on cPanel, Plesk, CloudLinux, and LiteSpeed environments. Multisite output follows the documented network-rewrite rules for both subdomain and subdirectory installations.

Reviewed and maintained by Arjun Mehta, WordPress recovery engineer, 12+ years rescuing broken sites at WPRescue.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Editing .htaccess directly without keeping a copy of the previous version.
  • Pasting rewrite rules from random forum threads. Vendor-specific rules can conflict with WordPress core.
  • Forgetting to resave Permalinks in Settings after replacing the file.

Related troubleshooting guides

wp-config.php Errors in WordPress and How to Fix Them
Edited wp-config.php and the site went dark? Here is how to undo it and what to watch for next time.
Configuration 8 min
WordPress Too Many Redirects: How to Stop the Loop
ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS in WordPress almost always traces to two settings. Here is how to find and fix them.
SSL & Redirects 8 min

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Need hands-on help?

If this tool does not cover your exact situation, contact WPRescue or read the troubleshooting guides. We typically reply within one business day.