If you are like me and could not figure out why your custom 404 page was not working in Internet Explorer but was working in FireFox or other browsers here is the answer.

Step 1 - Size
First, your 404error.php page must be at least 512 bytes (mine is 712 bytes).  You may think it is, but double check.  The page is PHP so most of the content does not count toward your 512 bytes.  The default page is only 315 bytes!

Step 2 - Add Code
For some reason the makers of most WordPress templates forgot to put in a simple line of PHP code which Internet Explorer needs.  Log into your blog, and add the single line of code listed below as the first line in your 404error.php file.

<?php header("HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found"); ?>

Done
That’s it.  So simple yet so necessary.  If this has helped you, let me know; either post a reply (or if you are really thankful) donate by clicking here.

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This entry was posted on Monday, July 31st, 2006 at 7:54 pm and is filed under Web Design. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.