404 error on some download links

  • Resolved NL

    (@nlogica)


    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hey there,

    After moving a WordPress website from one server to another, I’m getting 404 errors on some Download links (provided by the Download Attachments plugin).

    The issue is prevalent only on some posts. Most of the posts are working fine (without doing anything).

    The strange thing about this is that the redirect links clearly point to a file that exists in the server, in the correct location (I can see the file and download it via sftp). It’s only when accessing via the website (https) that it fails.

    I’ve checked the server log, here’s a few examples of 3 different file download failures:
    https://i.imgur.com/MgPULUK.png (at the moment of this specific screenshot, the log was showing errors only)

    Here’s an example of a successful download:

    View post on imgur.com

    To conclude this search for help, I have to say that I’ve tried something that works. I can delete the (useless) file via sftp and reupload an exact copy (via WordPress, while editing a post). And the new link to the reuploaded file works without issue. But it’s just not feasible to go over dozens of posts now, one by one, to reupload files.

    What troubleshooting avenues can I explore?

    • This topic was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by NL.
    • This topic was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by NL.
    • This topic was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by NL. Reason: reuploaded screenshot
Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

  • Hi, I see you’ve started a post here as well. ??

    When I come across this on (I work as a contentmanager) there is often something wrong with the name of the file. Are there special characters in it? Sometimes software hangs on a % or an @ or an &. So you could rename the file to try again.

    The system seems to work except for some files, so the problem is in those files.

    Thread Starter NL

    (@nlogica)

    Hey there,

    I ended up solving this, at the time, by doing what I mentioned before. Doing the “labour” work… It was like a hundred posts or so that had the “bug”.

    If I recall correctly I had the Apache log that pointed where the failures were. And so we had to edit the corresponding posts, note down the number of downloads, remove the file, upload it again (from a backup), and manually update the number of downloads.

    It took 2 people the whole afternoon but it was done.

    Hi nlogica,

    Glad it’s resolved.

    It is not a stable plugin, especially the sorting sometimes drops or downloads disappear, so I limit myself to a small amount.

    Good luck`

    • This reply was modified 2 years, 7 months ago by Frank444.
    • This reply was modified 2 years, 7 months ago by Frank444.
    Thread Starter NL

    (@nlogica)

    We post quite frequently and use the plugin to attach files (pdf publications and such).

    It always worked well, until a server migration had to be done. That’s when the issues started.

    Sooner or later, we’ll have to procure a better solution.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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