404 error on sitemap.xml or other referring sitemaps

Hi @emtaha

When you enable the sitemaps feature in the Yoast SEO plugin, it should redirect /sitemap.xml to /sitemap_index.xml automatically.

Would it be possible for you to deactivate the Yoast SEO sitemaps feature (WP admin dashboard > Yoast SEO > General > Features Tab) and see if you use another custom solution to handle your sitemaps, if this fixes the issue?

First of all, I have 2 different sites.
1- The sitemap.xml page gives 404, but the sitemap_index.xml page seems open from the yoast seo section. The problem is that sitemap.xml page is not redirecting sitemap_index.xml. Google Search Console also sees the sitemap_index.xml page as HTML and gives an error. Other than that, before the update sitemap.xml was working fine by yoast. Can’t I return it as sitemap.xml again?

2- When the Permalinks Customizer plugin is disabled, my sitemap.xml page works. Even if I close the sitemap in Yoast, it still redirects to 404 pages. But Serach Console is reading the post sitemap.

Hello @emtaha

Thanks for the clarification. It’s likely the Permalinks Customizer plugin is causing a conflict. Please try this; temporarily disable the plugin and enable to Yoast SEO XML sitemap feature. Does /sitemap.xml/ redirect to /sitemap_index.xml/? Then submit the /sitemap_index.xml/ to the Google Search Console.

Do let us know how it goes.

Hello;

When I try this event website.com/sitemap.xml is working by pointing to this page website.com/sitemap_index.xml

On the other hand, Google evaluates this page as an html page and gives an error.

But here, unfortunately, I have to use that plug-in. I’ll consider it if I have no other choice.

@emtaha Thanks for your reply. We’ve identified several concerns in your message and responded to each below:

When I try this event website.com/sitemap.xml is working by pointing to this page website.com/sitemap_index.xml

With the Yoast SEO plugin active, the sitemap.xml URL redirecting to sitemap_index.xml is the expected behavior.

On the other hand, Google evaluates this page as an html page and gives an error.

The error you received on your sitemap regarding it being in HTML format can be caused by a number of issues, including the submitted URL, or that the sitemap page is being redirect.

Can you please confirm whether the sitemap you submitted to Google is for ‘sitemap.xml’ or for ‘sitemap_index.xml’ ? If you have submitted the sitemap as ‘sitemap.xml’ you would need to delete that sitemap from your Google Search Console and then resubmit the sitemap as ‘sitemap_index.xml’.

We also have additional information on the error that your sitemap is not in the correct format and is an HTML file at the following link: Sitemap Error: Unsupported sitemap formal HTML

This thread was marked resolved due to a lack of activity, but you’re always welcome to re-open the topic. Please read this post before opening a new request.