Overview
OTTO is Search Atlas's SEO automation tool. When installed correctly, OTTO assists with site optimization without disrupting your site's functionality. However, if you notice 404 errors or network issues after installation, this guide will help you identify whether OTTO is a contributing factor and how to resolve it safely.
Does the OTTO Script Cause 404 or Network Errors?
In most cases, the OTTO script does not directly cause 404 errors or network failures. These errors are typically related to one of the following pre-existing or unrelated issues:
- Missing or broken page URLs on your website
- Hosting configuration issues
- Plugin or theme conflicts triggered independently of OTTO
- DNS propagation delays after recent changes
That said, it is worth ruling out OTTO as a contributing factor before taking more drastic steps like restoring your site to a prior version.
How to Check If OTTO Is the Cause
- Temporarily pause OTTO: Log in to Search Atlas and navigate to the OTTO section of the platform. Follow the available options to pause or disable OTTO for your connected site.
- Clear your browser cache and any caching plugins on your website.
- Test your site by visiting the affected pages. Check whether the 404 errors or network errors persist.
- If the errors disappear after pausing OTTO, re-enable it and contact support for further investigation. If the errors remain, OTTO is not the cause and you should investigate your hosting environment.
Troubleshooting 404 Errors on Your Site
Hosting environments can sometimes produce 404 errors due to configuration issues that are unrelated to third-party scripts. Before restoring your site to a prior version, consider the following general approaches:
- Check your site's URL and routing configuration to ensure pages and links are set up correctly.
- Review recently installed or updated plugins or extensions that may conflict with your site routing.
- Check your hosting provider's server status to confirm there are no active outages affecting your hosting plan.
- Consult your hosting provider's support documentation for platform-specific troubleshooting steps relevant to your setup.
Should You Restore Your Site to a Prior Version?
Restoring your site to a prior version is a last resort and should only be done if all other troubleshooting steps have been exhausted and you have confirmed that OTTO is not the source of the issue. Always create a backup before attempting a restore.
Need Help?
If you are unsure whether OTTO is contributing to your site issues, or if you have completed the steps above and still cannot resolve the problem, please reach out so our team can investigate further. When escalating, have the following ready: your site URL, the exact error message you are seeing, and the approximate time the issue began.
If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.