Why am I getting a 404 error on my Webflow collection pages despite having the template page built out and linked to the fields?
TL;DR
- Ensure CMS items are published with all required fields filled.
- Verify the template page exists and the URL slug is correct.
- Publish to all domains and check for duplicate slugs conflicting with static pages.
A 404 error on a Webflow collection page usually means the dynamic page you're trying to view either doesn’t exist or isn't published properly. Webflow CMS collection pages rely on specific conditions to display correctly.
1. Check CMS Item Status
- Go to CMS → [Collection Name].
- Make sure there are published items in the collection.
- Items must be set to 'Published' (not just saved as drafts or staged for publish).
2. Verify Collection Page URL
- Each collection item has an auto-generated URL based on your collection slug and the item slug.
- For example, if your collection is called
Projectsand an item’s slug ismy-project, the live URL is:yourdomain.com/projects/my-project. - Make sure you're entering the correct slug in the browser.
3. Confirm Template Page Exists
- Go to Pages → CMS Collection Pages.
- Ensure the Template Page for your collection (e.g., “Projects Template”) exists and is designed.
- Even a blank template is enough for Webflow to generate the dynamic page.
4. Ensure Item Has All Required Fields Populated
- If your collection includes Required Fields (e.g., image, slug, title), each item must have these fields filled out.
- Missing required content can break routing or cause the item not to publish.
5. Handle Archived or Deleted Items
- Archived items do not generate live URLs.
- If you restored items from archive or deleted them by mistake, re-publish and verify status.
6. Publish to All Domains
- If you're testing on a staging URL (e.g.,
your-site.webflow.io), make sure you Publish to both staging and custom domains in the publish dropdown. - You might have only published to one environment and are checking the wrong domain.
7. Avoid Duplicate Slugs
- Webflow requires unique slugs across static pages and CMS items.
- A static page with the same slug (e.g.,
/projects) will override a dynamic collection route with that slug and may cause a 404.
Summary
A 404 on your CMS collection page usually stems from unpublished items, missing data, or URL conflicts. Confirm that your items are published, the slugs are correct, and there are no overlaps with static pages.