Update on recent 404 errors and how to clear your cache

[BeckyAMumsnet]

Hello everyone.

We’ve now identified what caused the 404 errors some users were seeing late last week and over the weekend.

There was a very brief issue on our side last Thursday (it lasted less than a minute) which meant that a small number of people who visited the site at that exact time may have had an incorrect redirect saved in their browser.

Unfortunately, that can cause the 404 page to keep appearing.

We know this has been frustrating if you were affected, and we’re really sorry for the hassle caused.

The fix is straightforward, but it does need to be done on your device:
You’ll just need to clear your browser’s cache for Mumsnet, then close and reopen your browser.

How to do this:

Chrome
Settings > Privacy and security > Delete browsing data
Select Cached images and files, then delete
Safari (iPhone/iPad)
Settings > Apps > Safari > Clear History and Website Data
Safari (Mac)
Safari > Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data
Search for mumsnet and remove it
Edge
Settings > Privacy, search and services > Clear browsing data
Select Cached images and files, then clear
Firefox
Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > Clear Data
Tick Cached Web Content, then clear

Once that’s done, everything should be back to normal.

Thanks again, and we’re really sorry this happened.

Best wishes,
MNHQ

I am using an iPad a this means I have to clear ALL my history not just Mumsnet history. I don’t want to do that.

Hey @Yetone, that's understandable. Please try this - open Settings, tap Safari, then select Advanced > Website Data. Search for Mumsnet, swipe left on its name, and tap Delete.

I did that and it sorted the issue. But now I'm getting moving ads at the top. I've had to clag something over it to stop the constant movement.

I don't mind adverts if they keep still.

The only thing that has finally worked for me, using Chrome on Macbook, was to delete 7 days of all browsing data.
A right PITA. Logged out of everything😡
But it finally worked.
You owe us all a pint, Mumsnet

Really glad that did the trick @JustCabbaggeLooking but yes, being logged out of everything is annoying. Hopefully just clearing the Mumsnet cache will do it for most people.

We’re definitely building up quite the bar tab here… we’ll see if Justine will stretch to some pork scratchings and pickled eggs too. 🍺

Thank you, that worked for my MacBook Air that had got stuck with the 404 error on Active discussions. Had to sign back in but no big deal.

Edited to clarify I only had to clear the Mumsnet data, not everything!

Doesn't work on my desktop.

Do I need to turn off the machine and go and have supper and then come back?

Should I wait for the full moon and sacrifice a few virgin woodlice on a hilltop or something?

It seems to be a bit arcane....

I have cleared everything and it is still not working, what can I do? I can't use aibu or the christmas board, the only threads I bloody use..

@AskingQuestionsAllTheTime @FilthyforFirth thanks for trying that, If you’re still seeing the issue, it’s usually because the cached redirect hasn’t been fully cleared. It’s worth double-checking that cached files (not just your history) have been removed, and that the browser has been fully closed and reopened afterwards.

Becky, I close my browser and then turn off my computer every night, and the cache is cleared automatically at that time, according to my service provider (who lives in my basement with many, many computers and servers, and runs tech for part of London University).

However, using a different browser has finally solved the problem: Mozilla Firefox not Chromium.