Troubleshooting 404 Error in CodeIgniter on Digital Ocean

Experiencing a 404 error in your CodeIgniter application hosted on Digital Ocean can be frustrating, but let’s troubleshoot it together.

1. Check Routes and URLs:
Ensure that your routes are properly defined in CodeIgniter’s routes.php file. Make sure the URL you’re trying to access matches a route that directs to a valid controller method.

2. Verify Controller and Method:
Double-check that the controller and method you’re trying to access exist and are spelled correctly. Mistyped method names or missing controllers can lead to a 404 error.

3. Confirm File Permissions:
Check the file permissions on your CodeIgniter files and directories. Improper permissions can block access and trigger a 404 error. Use the chmod command to set appropriate permissions.

4. Review .htaccess Configuration:
If you’re using Apache, review your .htaccess file in the root directory of your CodeIgniter application. Ensure the RewriteBase directive matches your application’s base URL.

5. Server Configuration:
Verify your server configuration, especially virtual host settings. Make sure your virtual host points to the correct directory where your CodeIgniter application resides.

6. Enable Debugging and Logging:
Set CodeIgniter’s log_threshold to 4 in the config.php file to enable all error logging. Check the logs in the application/logs directory for clues about the 404 error.

7. Clear Cache and Sessions:
Sometimes, stale cache or session data can cause issues. Clear CodeIgniter’s cache and session files by deleting the contents of the application/cache and application/session directories.

Example Route Configuration:

// routes.php
$route['default_controller'] = 'welcome';
$route['404_override'] = '';
$route['translate_uri_dashes'] = FALSE;

Example Controller Method:

// ExampleController.php
class ExampleController extends CI_Controller {
    public function index() {
        // Your code here
    }
}

By following these steps and ensuring your configuration is correct, you should be able to resolve the 404 error in your CodeIgniter application on Digital Ocean. If you’re still facing issues, consider seeking help from the CodeIgniter community or Digital Ocean support.