Error: 404 File/Page not found for links to files hosted on external platforms

Issue

Your Whatfix content includes a link to a file hosted on an external platform (such as Microsoft SharePoint or Google Drive). When users click on this link, a 404 File/Page Not Found error is shown.

Probable Causes

• The file’s link is not a shareable link. The link was copied directly from the browser’s address bar. Such links often restrict access to specific users, preventing Whatfix from loading or displaying the file.

• The file’s link is not a shareable link. It was copied directly from the browser’s address bar, which has different access permissions than a shareable link. Whatfix cannot load or display files that are restricted to specific users.

• The link points to a file that only the author or specific users have the permission to view. Whatfix cannot load or display files whose access is restricted to specific users. If the file is not shared with all target users, certain users see errors or inaccessible content.

• The file may be deleted, renamed, or moved to a different folder on your platform.

• The file is not shown due to Content Security Policy (CSP) rules. Your application’s content restrictions may be blocking the hyperlink.

Suggested Solutions

• Use a shareable link: Replace the link with the shareable URL for the file hosted on your platform. For example, on Confluence, click Copy link to create a shareable link that only specific users can view or edit (based on your chosen permissions).

  Copy link on Confluence:

  

  Example shareable link with short URL that redirects to the file’s webpage link:

  

  Example full browser link that displays a 404 File/Page not found error:

  

• Verify access permissions for intended users: Ensure the link grants view access to all intended users. Avoid including personal account-restricted links in your Whatfix content.

• Confirm the file location on the external platform: Search for the file on your external platform to confirm it has not been moved, renamed, or deleted. If it has, generate a new link and update it in your Whatfix content.

• Check the browser console for any CSP errors: Contact your IT or CSP security team to review and whitelist required external content or URLs. Include the link in your Whatfix content only after confirming that your organization allows access to it.

Note:

If the issue persists, contact support@whatfix.com.