In recent weeks, numerous Android users have encountered an issue with Google Discover where selecting a story leads to a 404 (Not Found) error page, even if the story is still available. This problem seems to occur randomly, making it difficult to reproduce. It has been discovered that the cause of this issue is having multiple Google accounts logged in on the device, as this alters the Google service URLs with an account identifier. To resolve the problem, users are advised to log out of all but one Google account, preventing the URLs from being modified. Google is reportedly working on a long-term solution for those affected, so they won’t need to limit their account logins.
To tackle this issue, users could try the following:
1. Determine the root cause of the problem to find the best solution.
2. Look for and apply various troubleshooting techniques specifically for the issue, keeping track of any progress or changes in the problem.
Steps to follow:
1. Copy the Google News story URL that shows the 404 error.
2. Paste the URL into an online archive site like the Wayback Machine or Archive.Today to view an earlier version of the page. This may help retrieve the missing content or reveal why it was removed and let you locate the original news item or an alternative source.
3. Open an incognito/private browsing mode in your web browser. This enables you to browse the web without saving your browsing history or cookies, which is useful for privacy and safeguarding sensitive data on shared or public devices.
4. Paste the copied URL into the incognito/private browsing mode and hit Enter. By using this mode, you can often bypass paywalls or cookie-related restrictions since the site won’t recognize you as a return visitor. This is handy for accessing content that might be limited or require a subscription on certain sites.
Following these steps should bring you to the active version of the story, avoiding the 404 error. Applying this method helps bypass the issue of encountering broken links while browsing and ensures a smooth and efficient web experience, along with access to the latest available information about the story.
This workaround alleviates the aggravation caused when stumbling upon an error page while attempting to read a news article on Google Discover. By using this method, users can bypass the error page and access the desired content with minimal inconvenience. This not only enhances user experience but also guarantees that important information is not overlooked due to technical issues.
FAQ on Google Discover 404 Error Issue
What causes the 404 error when selecting a story on Google Discover?
The issue seems to be caused by having multiple Google accounts logged in on the device, which alters the Google service URLs with an account identifier. Logging out of all but one Google account can prevent the URLs from being modified and resolve the problem.
Is Google working on a long-term solution for this issue?
Yes, Google is reportedly working on a long-term solution for those affected, so they won’t need to limit their account logins.
What steps can I follow to bypass the 404 error when accessing a story?
1. Copy the Google News story URL that shows the 404 error.
2. Paste the URL into an online archive site like the Wayback Machine or Archive.Today to view an earlier version of the page.
3. Open an incognito/private browsing mode in your web browser.
4. Paste the copied URL into the incognito/private browsing mode and hit Enter.
What are the benefits of using the workaround method?
Applying this method helps bypass the issue of encountering broken links while browsing and ensures a smooth and efficient web experience, along with access to the latest available information about the story. This not only enhances user experience but also guarantees that important information is not overlooked due to technical issues.
First Reported on: bleepingcomputer.com
Featured Image provided by: Pexels – Thank you!
