How to Fix Error 404 Requested Resource Is Not Available on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Encountering the “Error 404 Requested Resource Is Not Available” message on Windows 11 can be frustrating. This error usually means the webpage or file you are trying to access cannot be found on the server. It often appears when browsing websites, running local servers, or accessing files through browsers.

The good news is that this error is often fixable with some straightforward steps. Understanding why it happens can help you solve the issue faster. This guide will walk you through simple to advanced solutions to fix Error 404 on Windows 11.

Follow the steps carefully. Each one explains why it’s important and how to perform it, even if you are not very tech-savvy. By the end, you should be able to resolve the problem or know where to look next.

Let’s get started and fix that Error 404 so you can get back to your work or browsing without interruptions.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Basic Checks

Check your internet connection. A poor or disconnected network can cause pages to not load properly.
Verify the URL. Sometimes a small typo in the web address leads to a 404 error.
Clear your browser cache. Old or corrupted cache files might make your browser load broken pages.
Restart your browser or device. This helps refresh connections and system processes that may be causing issues.

Step 1: Confirm the URL or File Path

Before diving into technical fixes, make sure the URL or the file path you are trying to access is correct. A 404 error often happens because the requested resource simply does not exist at the specified location.

How to check:

Look closely at the web address in the browser’s address bar. Check for any spelling mistakes or missing characters.
If you are accessing a local file or server, ensure the file or page actually exists in the directory you expect.
Try opening the homepage or a different page from the same website to see if the site is up and running.

Why this matters: Fixing a simple typo can immediately solve the error without more complicated steps.

Step 2: Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Browsers save temporary files called cache and cookies to speed up your browsing. Sometimes, outdated or corrupted cache can cause your browser to load old or broken pages, leading to a 404 error.

How to clear cache in Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome:

Click the three dots menu in the top-right corner.
Select Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
Select Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data.
Click Clear now and wait for the process to finish.

Clearing cache ensures your browser loads the latest version of the page and may fix the 404 error caused by old files.

Step 3: Restart Your Local Server or Application

If you are running a local server (such as Apache, IIS, or Tomcat) on Windows 11 and see the 404 error, the server might not be running properly or the resource is not published correctly.

How to restart your server:

Open Services by typing services.msc in the Start menu search box and pressing Enter.
Find your server service (e.g., Apache, IIS Admin Service, or Tomcat).
Right-click the service and choose Restart.
Wait a few seconds and then try accessing the resource again.

Restarting refreshes the server’s state and can reload missing configurations or resources.

Alternative: Use Command Prompt to Restart IIS

If you use Internet Information Services (IIS), you can restart it via Command Prompt.

iisreset

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type iisreset, then press Enter. This fully stops and restarts IIS services.

Step 4: Check File or Folder Permissions

Sometimes, the resource exists, but the server or system cannot access it due to permission issues. This can cause a 404 error because the file appears “not available.”

How to check and fix permissions on Windows 11:

Navigate to the folder or file that should be accessed.
Right-click the folder/file and select Properties.
Go to the Security tab.
Check if your user account or the system account running the server has Read permission.
If not, click Edit and add the necessary permissions.
Click Apply and OK to save changes.

Proper permissions ensure the server or browser can access the files and display them correctly.

Step 5: Verify Server Configuration Files

If you are using a web server like Apache or Tomcat, incorrect configuration files can cause the server not to find requested pages, resulting in 404 errors.

Check your server configuration files:

For Apache, look at httpd.conf or your site’s .htaccess file.
For Tomcat, check the server.xml and web.xml files.

Make sure the resource paths are correct and the files are properly mapped. Sometimes, typos or incorrect URL mappings cause the server to fail to serve the resource.

Why this is important: The server uses these config files to locate and deliver resources. Misconfiguration means the server cannot find what you requested.

Advanced Option: Enable Detailed Error Messages

For developers or advanced users, enabling detailed error messages on the server helps identify exactly why the resource is missing.

In IIS, enable Failed Request Tracing.
In Tomcat, check the logs in the logs folder.
In Apache, increase the LogLevel to debug.

This detailed information can pinpoint the exact cause of the 404 error.

FAQs

Why do I get a 404 error only on some websites?

Some websites may remove or relocate pages, or there could be temporary server issues. It’s not always your fault. Try refreshing later or use a different browser.

Can a browser extension cause 404 errors?

Yes, some extensions can block or modify requests. Try disabling extensions temporarily to see if the error disappears.

Is Error 404 the same as DNS issues?

No, DNS errors occur when the domain name cannot be resolved. Error 404 means the server was reached but the requested page was not found.

Should I contact my ISP or website owner?

If you suspect the website is down or the resource was removed, contacting the website owner helps. If many sites show errors, your ISP may have network issues.

Can antivirus software block pages and cause 404 errors?

Some antivirus or firewall software may block certain websites or pages. Try temporarily disabling them to confirm.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and still see the 404 error, consider these final options:

Contact website support: If the problem is on a specific site, their support team can help.
Check official Windows 11 support: Visit Microsoft Support for system-related issues.
Reinstall or update your web server software: Sometimes a fresh install fixes corrupted configurations.
Use system restore: Roll back your Windows 11 system to a point before the problem started.

Conclusion

Error 404 “Requested Resource Is Not Available” on Windows 11 is usually caused by incorrect URLs, missing files, server issues, or permission problems. By carefully checking the URL, clearing your browser cache, restarting servers, verifying permissions, and reviewing server configurations, you can resolve most of these errors.

Start with the simplest steps like checking the URL and clearing cache, then move to server and permission checks if needed. If all else fails, seek help from official support channels.

Following this step-by-step approach will help you quickly identify and fix the cause of the 404 error, ensuring smoother browsing and server operations on your Windows 11 system.