Trying to add API key and getting 404 error

BUMP – any ideas why I would get a page not found 404 error when I apply my API key??

Well, I’m assuming you’ve activated the Akismet plugin. When you enter your API key, it’ll redirect to the “accepted” form of the plugin page. I’d say either you need to get a new copy of Akismet and upload it to your server.

Alternatively, your server may have “burped” when you did it, which is why you’d get a 404. Just try it again (I’m guessing you already did that, in which case get new Akismet.)

That makes sense, I did activate it, so I will just upload a new version. Great idea!

Tried deleting the original Akismet plugin, downloading the new one, uploading the new one, activating the new one, entering my wordpress.com key, and still get the 404 error. Here is where the browser is trying to go:

mysite.com/wordpress/wp-admin/(EmptyReference!)

Does this shead any light?

mysite.com/wordpress/wp-admin/(EmptyReference!)

No – it’s supposed to look like:

mysite.com/wordpress/wp-admin/plugins.php?page=akismet-key-config

Very odd – I’ve never seen this problem before.

Well, crap, should I reinstall? Everything else is working the way it should, I think. https://music4now.com/wordpress/

Blah…..

Contact your host and ask them if they have any ideas? I know drmike once talked about a host blocking requests to the akismet servers and that might be the case here.

Trent

Thanks Trent, now a newer issue. I tried to add “Spam Karma” since Akismet was not working. It too had some missing pages – it couldn’t find this or that. If I added a comment errors would appear in the post, so I took SK out completely. So, I think I have a bad WP install. How do I reinstall (start over?) without losing the edits I did to my theme? That would explain things, I think…

Bump (again, sorry)

I still want to solve this issue; I do want to start using Akismet and/or Spam Karma. I noticed that my WordPress folder (where everything is) did NOT have it’s own .htaccess file. So, I added blank .htaccess textfile to see if that would help. Changing the permissions of the .htaccess file did have an effect on which 404 page appears, but I still CANNOT apply my valid API key.

1) What should the .htaccess permissions be set at?

2) If it is not fixable, should I reinstall WP?

3) If if is fixable, what should I try?

HELP!

UPDATE – Thanks to Trent, I contacted my host ADDR.com and they magically (with my admin info and API key) got Akismet working. BUT, now, if I go to the Askimet plugin configuration page in the Dashboard and click on the button, I get the dreaded 404 page again. What is going on?

I have asked ADDR.com and Askimet TWICE for help with no response (well ADDR says to ask Askimet for help). HELP!

So far, my most ADDR.com has helped a little and deferred further assistance to Askimet.

Akismet.com hasn’t responded to my 2 requests made last week.

So, any ideas from you WP experts out there as to why I would get a 404 error when I try to configure my Askimet plugin?

Fun with permissions! 404’s can be caused by lack of server read permissions on specific files and/or folders. So it’s worth checking your permissions out. Here’s a guide:

a) Set permissions on all your WordPress files to 644. I mean *all* of the files. Every single one.

b) Set all the folders you see to 755. Again, every single one.

c) If you want to be able to use the theme editor built into WordPress, set the files for your theme to 664. You may need to make them 666, depending on your server’s configuration.

d) You may need to make other files and/or folder writable on a case by case basis, depending on plugins and what have you. If this happens, use the lowest one of these numbers that actually works: 644, 664, 666, 755, 775, 777.

Thanks Otto42, that kind of detailed information is what I think I need. I will set these tonight and let you know how it goes, I have a feeling this will do it!

Thanks again. ??

One other thing: Your wp-config.php file is special. It should have as low permissions as actually allows the blog to work: 400, 440, or 444. Whatever is lowest and does not break the blog.

Oh, and the wp-content/uploads directory needs to be 775 or 777, if you want to be able to upload pictures and files from the Write pages.