404 Page Accessing Staging Website

Hi,

are you running any security plugins, plugins that are redirecting the default login page or any special htaccess rules?

Yes, I am running a security plugin and my live admin page is renamed. However, I tried disabling this feature to test if the WP Staging would work then but received the same 404 error. Any thoughts?

I suppose there are still some custom redirections activated. These can no be bypassed by the plugin.

Have you checked via ftp if the index.php is available from the subfolder of the staging site?

Yes, I have just checked and I can see that “index.php” is there. If you are positive that the plugin should work when the live admin link is changed then where should I check for more possible redirections? I haven’t done much else rather than renaming the live admin page.

if there is a htaccess in the staging directory you should remove or rename it for deactivation. Than try again to manually open the link to the staging site:

https://mashshare.net/tester/wp-login.php

The login screen should be appearing there: https://take.ms/UgbFf

If it does not you still have any redirection rule active. As i do not know your custom site modifications i am not soory but i am able to track this down more.

Btw. Its also helpful to enable wordpress debug mode on the staging site in case there are some php errors

I have deleted the .htaccess file but it didn’t help. However, what helped was deleting the security plugin from the staging website (using ftp). I guess I don’t need it for the staging version of the website anyway. I can now log into the staging version.

Thank you for your help Rene.

BTW, for anyone who might find this thread in the future with a similar issue: there are two ways to make it work:

1. Delete the plugin that you are using to rename admin page using ftp (from your staging folder, NOT from your live folder) and enjoy your staging website using this link to login: https://www.website.com/staging/wp-login.php

2. Delete the plugin that you are using to rename admin page using ftp; log into your staging website using the link above; install the plugin back and note the link that it gives you to log in. In my case, it was: https://www.website.com/staging/?customname. Try using that “?” in front of the custom name for your staging version and you might avoid all of the steps listed above. Otherwise, go into your security plugin and find the correct address to be able to log in in the future.

Obviously, the WP Staging plugin redirects you to the staging version on the standard link https://www.website.com/staging/wp-login.php so if you are on Option 2 you just need to remember the link to log into your staging version. With Option 1 you will have no problems using the redirection button in WP Staging Start menu.

Cheers.

Great. Thanks for the Feedback:)