.htaccess file in WordPress: A Comprehensive Guide

.htaccess file feature is available in almost all sorts of web hosting. But when it comes to WordPress it becomes very important. The .htaccess file is nothing but a configuration file present under Apache Web browser platform. Also, it provides you certain rules so that your website servers gets enriched with certain instructions. In almost all the cases, while installing WordPress you will get the .htaccess file. However, it is present in a hidden mode at the root of the WordPress installation. It might happen that .htaccess file is absent and how to create .htaccess file manually through WordPress. Moreover, we can use a normal text editor for the addition or deletion of the content of the WordPress blog .htacccess file.

Where should I find the htaccess file?

The .htaccess file is present in the central directory above every WordPress site. It is basically a hidden file without any extensions. It should be such that it is present in the public_html folder. However, there may be situations where it can be found missing.

Where did the .htaccess file move?

First double click on the FTP client settings. It must be such that the FTP client is set in to hide certain files. Else you may need to display hidden files present in the server. Moreover, there can be a plugin which deletes the .htaccess file. Therefore, double check your plugins to ensure that it is not recurring. If the update of your WordPress is not completed, it can happen that your .htaccess file is somehow missing.

How do I create a .htaccess file in WordPress?

The most effective way to establish .htaccess File inside the WordPress is to build your permanent links in WordPress. You can perform the same through the WordPress Dashboard. Just follow the below steps

• Then navigate to the Settings option
• Move to Permalinks.
• After that, just press the Save Changes button to generate a new .htaccess file.

Another smart way to do this using Notepad. Go through the below steps.

Start the program.

• Then provide the details you require in the .htaccess file.
• After that, just load the .htaccess file.
• Then upload that into that root directory of your website.

Where can I find the htaccess file in WordPress?

There are several methods which you can follow to find the htaccess file in WordPress

1. From the cPanel.
2. Through the WordPress dashboard.
3. Use a desktop FTP client.

From the cPanel

1. First press the File Manager present under the Files section.
2. On the basis of the WordPress Installation Directory, you will find the .htaccess file available at the root of the WP installation. If you are unable to find this, just refer to the Create WordPress Notes to generate a new one.
3. Then, choose the .htaccess file location. After that, press Edit. You will see the editor in the new tab, and you can modify from there.
4. Make the necessary changes. Then save the unsaved file.

How to create .htaccess file with the help of WordPress Dashboard

There are various WordPress Plugins which enables you o modify your .htaccess file from the WP dashboard. You can do so by using the SEO Plugin. Move to SEO by Yoast. Then click on Edit Files.

Edit using .htaccess file through FTP client

This is one of the best methods for desktop users. To use it, FTP clients will provide you with the best control.

To achieve this use free FTP client and sign up using FTP hosting account. First, browse through the installation process. Then enable the Show Hidden Items to view the .htaccess file. Follow the below guidelines to enable it

1. First, navigate to the root folder of your domain. You will find the .htaccess file present at the root of the folder.
2. Then download the .htaccess file and then begin editing.
3. Ensure to keep a .htaccess file before begin editing.
4. Furthermore, to modify the file with the help of OS Default text editor.
5. Once done, just upload it once again.
6. Ensure that the permission of the .htaccess file is 644 and NOT777.

Also Read: Boost Up The Performance Of Your Website

What is the use of .htaccess file in WordPress?

In this section, we will discuss how .htaccess file in WordPress is helpful for the user

Attract Visitors to a Custom Error Page

One of the key features is to enable Implement redirects in WordPress. Therefore, you can help the users who are trying to ingress the specific URL to other pages. To execute this feature, open your WordPress .htaccess file. After that, incorporate the following code

RewriteEngine On

Redirect 301/original-url/http://yourwebsiteurl.com

Moreover, you can delete the placeholders from that particular code. If you wish to attract people just visit refer to this  http://yourwebsiteurl.com/test-page , then follow the below steps

RewriteEngine On

Redirect 301/ test-page/ http://yourwebsiteurl.com

With this method, you can help the users by providing a custom error page or any other portion of the website. However, in order to perform it just control the 404 errors when your visitors are getting. Also, you can do so through the use of plugins as well as an analytics tool.

Ban of the Particular IP Address

There may be some cases when you need to ban some specific people from accessing your website. This problem arises when users try to steal any data, seize your site, etc. However, if you encounter the above situations, you can ban the IP addresses from the website through a few lines of code. Just follow the below code

Require all granted

Require not ip xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

Password Protection For Your WordPress Folder

One of the most important things you can do is to protect your password by using particular directories. It will make sure that only the concerned people will get access. However, this method may need much work rather than editing .htaccess.

The foremost thing you need to perform is to generate .htpasswds, containing a username and password which you wish to use. Once your .htpasswds files are ready, access your site through FTP. Then upload this to that directory where you want to protect your password. We can also fit this inside the wp-admin folder. This will protect the dashboard from stranger’s access.

To Sum It Up

where is the .htaccess file encompasses a lot of features just like the permalink structure. However, if you have the proper know-how about the pinpoint and the location, then you can also add surplus features to your website. In this article, we have provided all the important features of .htaccess in association with WordPress. You will get a brief insight into the various features of .htaccess file in WordPress.

However, you can also refer to the user manual for any kind of issues.