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Troubleshooting Rife Free Works List Pagination and 404 Errors

24 threads Sep 9, 2025 Theme → Rife free

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Many users of the Rife Free theme encounter a common issue where the pagination on their Works (portfolio) list page fails to work correctly. This typically manifests as a "Page Not Found" (404) error when trying to access the second page of works, either by clicking page numbers or a "Load More" button. This guide will explain why this happens and walk you through the most effective solutions.

Why Does This Happen?

This problem is almost always related to WordPress's permalink structure. The Rife Free theme uses custom post types for its Works, and these require specific rewrite rules to function properly. When these rules are missing or flushed, WordPress doesn't know how to handle URLs like /your-works-page/page/2/, leading to a 404 error. This can occur after theme activation, changes to permalink settings, or sometimes after updates.

How to Fix Works List Pagination

Solution 1: Refresh Your Permalinks (Most Common Fix)

The first and most effective step is to simply refresh or resave your WordPress permalinks. This process regenerates the rewrite rules that tell WordPress how to handle URLs for custom post types like Works.

  1. Navigate to your WordPress Dashboard.
  2. Go to Settings > Permalinks.
  3. Without making any changes, scroll to the bottom and click the Save Changes button.

This action forces WordPress to rebuild its rules. Clear your site and browser cache afterward, then check if your Works pagination now works.

Solution 2: Check the Main Works Page Setting

Another potential cause is an incorrect configuration in the theme settings. The pagination functionality needs to know which page is designated as the main Works list.

  1. In your WordPress Dashboard, go to Appearance > Customize.
  2. Navigate to Works settings > Works list.
  3. Find the setting for Works list – Main page.
  4. Ensure this field is correctly set to the page you are using to display your portfolio.

Solution 3: Verify the Number of Items and Pagination Type

Within the same Customizer section (Appearance > Customize > Works settings > Works list), check two other settings:

  • Max number of items on list: Ensure this number is lower than your total number of Works items. If it's higher, pagination won't activate.
  • Pagination type: Confirm that your chosen pagination method (e.g., "Load more button") is functioning as expected in your browser's console. Errors here might indicate a JavaScript conflict with another plugin.

What If The Problem Persists?

If you still see a 404 error after trying these steps, the issue could be a conflict with another plugin. Try temporarily deactivating all other plugins to see if the pagination starts working. If it does, reactivate them one by one to identify the culprit.

By following these troubleshooting steps, most users can resolve the pagination issues with their Rife Free Works list and ensure their portfolio is displayed correctly across multiple pages.

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