how to fix WordPress keeps redirecting to old url

When maintaining or updating a WordPress site, a common issue encountered by many users is that the website continuously redirects to an old URL. This problem can arise for several reasons, such as moving to a new domain, modifying the site URL directly in the database, or after migrating to a different server. It can be frustrating but resolving it is crucial for the functionality and user experience of your website. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to help fix the issue of WordPress redirecting to an old URL.

Step 1: Clear Browser and Server Caches

Before delving into more complex solutions, start by clearing your browser cache. Old cached data can sometimes cause your browser to redirect to an old URL. Each browser has a different method for clearing cache, so refer to browser-specific instructions if needed. If you use a caching plugin on your WordPress site, clear the cache through that plugin’s settings. Additionally, if your website is hosted on a server with caching solutions like Varnish, clearing server cache might also be required.

Step 2: Check WordPress Address and Site Address

The next step is to verify the WordPress and Site URLs in your WordPress settings. You can check and update these URLs directly from the WordPress Admin Dashboard:

• Navigate to Settings -> General.
• Look for WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL).
• Ensure both URLs are correct and reflect the current domain you wish to use. If they are incorrect, update them and save the changes.

If you can’t access the WordPress admin area, modify the URLs directly in the wp-config.php file:

define('WP_HOME', 'http://yourdomain.com');
define('WP_SITEURL', 'http://yourdomain.com');

Replace “http://yourdomain.com” with your actual URL.

Step 3: Update Database URLs

Often, the root cause behind redirection issues lies within the WordPress database, where old URLs are stored across various tables. You can update URLs directly in the database using SQL queries or use plugins like WP Migrate DB, Better Search Replace, or Velvet Blues Update URLs:

• Backup your database before making any changes to prevent data loss.
• If using SQL queries, access your database via phpMyAdmin and execute the following query:

UPDATE wp_options SET option_value = replace(option_value, 'oldurl.com', 'newurl.com') WHERE option_name = 'home' OR option_name = 'siteurl';
UPDATE wp_posts SET post_content = replace(post_content, 'oldurl.com', 'newurl.com');
UPDATE wp_postmeta SET meta_value = replace(meta_value, 'oldurl.com', 'newurl.com');

Be sure to replace ‘oldurl.com’ with your old URL, and ‘newurl.com’ with your new URL.

Step 4: Modify the .htaccess File

Incorrect settings in the .htaccess file might cause redirection issues. Check if the .htaccess file (located in the root directory of your WordPress installation) has any hardcoded URLs:

• Access the file using an FTP client or File Manager in your hosting control panel.
• Look for any lines that mention a different URL and modify or remove them.
• Save the changes and clear your browser cache again to test.

Step 5: Deactivate Plugins and Themes

Sometimes, plugins or themes can cause redirection issues. To test this:

• Deactivate all your plugins via the WordPress dashboard or by renaming the plugins folder in your WordPress directory.
• Switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One to rule out any theme-specific issues.
• If the issue resolves, reactivate plugins and themes one by one to identify the culprit.

Step 6: Debug with WordPress Debugging Tools

If the problem persists, enable debugging in WordPress to uncover any underlying issues:

define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );

Add these lines to your wp-config.php file. After attempting to access your site, check the wp-content/debug.log file for any errors that might explain the redirection issue.

Step 7: Consult with Hosting Provider

When all else fails, your hosting provider can offer insights into server configurations that might lead to redirection issues. Hosting providers can also confirm whether any server-side caching or configuration anomalies might cause your site to redirect to an old URL.

By methodically following these steps, most common issues causing WordPress to redirect to an old URL can be identified and resolved. Remember, changes to URLs and site domains should be handled with care to avoid impacting your site’s SEO and user experience negatively.