A broken link checker helps identify links that no longer lead to the intended page or resource. Broken links can frustrate visitors, interrupt navigation, and make it harder for people to find the information they need. Checking links regularly helps website owners identify problems and decide which ones need fixing.
Welcome to Tool Hub Zone, where you can explore practical online tools for website management and optimization. Visit our SEO tools category to find resources that support common website tasks. Use the Broken Link Checker to investigate link problems, then review the results before making changes to your website.
How to Check Broken Links on a Website
- Open the Broken Link Checker.
- Enter your website address or provide the information requested by the tool.
- Start the check using the available options.
- Review the reported links and their status codes, if provided.
- Open the affected pages to confirm the problem before changing or removing any links.
- Update the destination, restore the missing page, or remove the link when appropriate.
The exact checking process depends on the tool’s available features. Always verify important results manually, because a temporary server problem or access restriction can sometimes make a working page appear unavailable.
What Is a Broken Link?
A broken link is a hyperlink that fails to take a visitor to the intended destination. This can happen when a page has been deleted, a URL has changed, a website is unavailable, or the destination returns an error.
Broken links can appear on internal links between pages on your own website or external links pointing to other websites. Both types deserve attention, but the right fix depends on the cause of the problem.
What Does a Broken Link Checker Do?
A broken link checker examines links and helps identify destinations that may be unavailable. Depending on the tool, it may report the source page, the affected URL, or an HTTP status code that helps explain the problem.
These results give website owners a starting point for investigation. A reported error should not always be treated as proof that a link is permanently broken. Check the destination and repeat the test when necessary.
Common HTTP Status Codes for Broken Links
HTTP status codes provide information about how a server responds to a request. The following table explains several codes that can be relevant when checking website links.
| Status code | Meaning | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | OK | The request succeeded, but check that the page contains the intended content. |
| 301 | Permanent redirect | Check whether the destination redirects to the correct replacement URL. |
| 403 | Forbidden | Check access permissions and whether the server blocks the request. |
| 404 | Not Found | Check whether the page was removed, moved, or linked using an incorrect URL. |
| 500 | Internal Server Error | Check whether the destination has a server-side problem and test it again later. |
These codes do not all mean the same thing. A 403 response indicates an access problem, while a 500 response points to a server error. Neither automatically proves that the destination page has been permanently removed.
Internal Links vs. External Links
Internal links connect pages on the same website. External links point to destinations on other websites. A broken link checker can help investigate both types when its functionality supports them.
Internal Links
Internal links help visitors navigate your website and discover related information. If an important internal link points to a missing page, update it to the correct destination or restore the page when appropriate.
External Links
External links direct readers to other websites. If an external destination disappears, look for a reliable replacement that provides the same information. Remove the link if no suitable alternative exists and it no longer serves a useful purpose.
Why Should You Fix Broken Links?
- Improve navigation: Visitors can reach the information they expect without unnecessary errors.
- Support a better user experience: Working links reduce interruptions while people browse your website.
- Maintain useful references: Important sources and supporting resources remain accessible when possible.
- Keep website content accurate: Reviewing old links helps you identify outdated destinations and information.
- Support website maintenance: Regular checks can reveal URLs that need updating after content changes or migrations.
Can Broken Links Affect SEO?
Broken links can affect the usability of a website, particularly when they interrupt navigation or prevent visitors from reaching important information. Fixing them is a useful part of website maintenance.
However, not every broken link causes a ranking problem. Search engines evaluate many aspects of a website, and the impact depends on the location, purpose, and context of the affected link. Focus first on important pages, useful internal links, and destinations that visitors need.
If a page has moved permanently, consider redirecting the old URL to a relevant replacement. If the page has been intentionally removed and no suitable replacement exists, update links that still point to it rather than redirecting every missing URL to the homepage.
How to Fix Broken Links
- Confirm the error: Open the reported URL and check whether the problem continues.
- Check the original link: Look for typing mistakes, incorrect paths, or outdated URLs.
- Update the destination: Replace the URL with a relevant, working page when one exists.
- Restore missing content: If the page should still exist, investigate whether it was accidentally removed or renamed.
- Use redirects carefully: Redirect permanently moved pages to the closest relevant replacement.
- Test the result: Revisit the source page and confirm that the updated link works as intended.
How Often Should You Check for Broken Links?
The right schedule depends on how frequently your website changes. A frequently updated blog, online store, or large business website may need more regular checks than a small website with mostly static pages.
Consider checking links after a website migration, URL restructuring, major content update, or redesign. You should also investigate broken links reported by visitors or discovered during routine website audits.
Common Broken Link Checking Mistakes
- Removing links without checking them: Verify the reported error before making changes.
- Ignoring important internal links: Prioritize links that help visitors access key pages.
- Redirecting every error to the homepage: Use a relevant replacement destination when one exists.
- Treating temporary errors as permanent: Retry the request before deciding that a destination is unavailable.
- Ignoring external links: Review important references that support the information on your pages.
- Assuming one check finds everything: Some tools have limits on crawling, access, or the types of links they can inspect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a broken link checker?
A broken link checker is a tool that helps identify links that may lead to unavailable pages or resources. Its reported results should be reviewed before changes are made.
What is a 404 error?
A 404 Not Found response means the server could not find the requested resource. Check the URL and whether the page has moved or been removed.
Can broken links hurt SEO?
Broken links can affect usability and navigation, but their impact on search performance depends on the circumstances. Prioritize important links and pages that visitors need.
What is the difference between internal and external broken links?
Internal broken links point to unavailable destinations on your own website. External broken links point to unavailable destinations on other websites.
Should I redirect every broken URL?
No. Redirect a URL when there is a relevant replacement. If no suitable replacement exists, update the links pointing to the missing page and handle the removed URL appropriately.
Why might a working page be reported as broken?
Temporary server errors, access restrictions, bot protection, or network problems can affect automated checks. Open the URL manually and test again before deciding how to fix it.
Can a broken link checker fix links automatically?
That depends on the tool. Some tools only identify possible problems, while others may offer additional functions. Check the available features before relying on automatic changes.
Explore More SEO Tools
Website maintenance involves several tasks beyond checking links. Visit the Tool Hub Zone homepage to explore the available resources, or browse our SEO tools category for tools that support website optimization.
You can also use our Robots.txt Generator to prepare crawler access rules, the XML Sitemap Generator to create a sitemap, and the Meta Tag Generator to prepare page metadata.
Last updated: October 10, 2026