404 on subdomain addons with hostgator

Hi

What kind of 404? Could you please link an example subsite that isn’t resolving correctly? Thanks!

Hi Mike! Yes, all are giving the same 404 like this one: https://www.careertipsblog.com.

Thank you! So the error appears to be with the subdomain, rather than with the mapped domain as you see the 404 ends up actually being for: https://careertipsblog.sparkspress.com/

So, something isn’t right with your Wildcard subdomain. I further tested this with a generic subdomain like this: https://test.sparkspress.com/. In WP Multisite, if you visit a subdomain that doesn’t exist, it should redirect you to signup for the blog.

I would recommend contacting Host Gator so that they can check on the Wildcard subdomain.

I’ve been on the line chatting a couple times with them tonight. I’ll try again with the details you’ve supplied. I appreciate the help. TY!

However, now that I think about it, it would seem the nonexistent subdomains wouldn’t 404 but should actually not resolve at all (webpage not available). Unless Host Gator has a different type of set up, I can’t recall.

Be sure to double check that your Primary domain (main site of the Network) is correct in the wp-config and in the appropriate database tables. Also be sure your htaccess is correct. Just so that you cover all boxes here.

I’m pretty sure the bits in the “network setup” tab were copied and pasted fine for htaccess and wp-config. Seemed to make sense at the time anyway.

I don’t know how to check or what to look for about the database tables. Would you instruct me about that?

Basically , you will want to make sure the tables below all have your primary domain set up correctly as: https://sparkspress.com/ (with NO www) I noticed you referenced your site earlier with the “www” in the domain but this isn’t correct as you have the www version 301 redirecting to the non www (which is the right way to do it in Multisite)

wp_options: options named “siteurl” and “home”
wp_site
wp_sitemeta: the option named “siteurl”
wp_blogs: any entries in the “domains” column that have the old domain name
wp_#_options: Each sub-site will have sets of tables that correspond to the blog_id in the wp_blogs table. You need to go to the wp_#_options table, where # corresponds to the blog_id, and update the “siteurl” and “home” settings in that table.

All of this may be fine and well and I may be off the mark on this one but its worth a look over anyway. HostGator should really have someone there that could give you a better reason though as to why those pages 404.

wp_options both are correct.

wp_site has only sparkspress.com, no http…should I change that?

The site_id are all listed as 1 in wp_blogs…the blog_id are sequential. Does that sound right?

The wp_#_options are all correct.

I can definitely contact HG support again…

I triple checked the htaccess and wp-config bits.

Hi that is all correct. No need to change anything there. It makes me wonder if you set up the domain mapping plugin correctly. I am a little at a loss only because its hard to know for sure without actually logging in on your end as you can imagine.

If you HostGator can’t help, I can almost be sure that another great support guru for Multisite will most likely be coming on the forums soon and hopefully shed better light on the issue for you. I am sorry if I wasted any of your time, this is a toughy since I am not accustomed to wildcard subdomains with HostGator anymore.

Oh my goodness, no waste of my time! I appreciate the help. And I appreciate getting to learn from you where to look to check details.

Yes, maybe something with the plugin that I criss-crossed. I remember I couldn’t add the main site. Does that make sense? Only site_id 2-5 are listed. I have my server ip address in there and only permanent redirect checked. It would not keep the check I put in for remote login.

I’ll asked HostGator to check my wildcard subdomain setup again.

Yes that is correct, your main site ID 1 could not be used with domain mapping plugin as it is only intended for the subsites. Hopefully HostGator or someone else here has answers. Good luck!

Hey Stevie,

This still bothers and I hope you find a solution soon. I found a couple of articles that discussed this issue, one which was another customer who had the same issue. Maybe this could shed some light?

https://www.ads-software.com/support/topic/accessing-subdomains-on-multisite-gives-404-error?replies=5

https://www.blakeimeson.com/enable-wordpress-multisite-with-subdomains-hostgator/

That step 4 in the second article might be the thing I need. I will let you know as soon as I get back to the desk in a while. Thanks, Mike!

Ah, hey! Sorry that step 4 is pre the current versions of WordPress. So you won’t need the blogs.dir actually. I should have seen that before sending it to you as its an older article. I will step away from this now but please let me know once you figure this out! It is driving me mad ??

I will definitely let you know what works. Thanks for your persistence! I appreciate having a second brain on it with me. ??