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If your AdSense dashboard is showing “ads.txt not found” or your site has been stuck on “Getting ready” for weeks, you’re not alone. Many WordPress users — especially those using Hostinger hosting — face this problem even after uploading the ads.txt file correctly.
The issue is NOT with AdSense — it’s usually caused by a redirect misconfiguration and plugin conflict.
This guide explains the exact reason and the permanent fix.
⭐ What Is Ads.txt and Why Is It Important?
The ads.txt (Authorized Digital Sellers) file tells Google which ad networks are permitted to serve ads on your website.
It must be publicly accessible at:
https://yourdomain.com/ads.txt
Correct format example:
google.com, pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
If AdSense can’t access this file, your ads will not appear until verification is complete.
🔗 For official documentation, you can also read Google’s guide to ads.txt here:
https://support.google.com/adsense/answer/7532444
❗ Why AdSense Shows “ads.txt not found” Even If File Exists
Most users upload the file correctly but Google still reports the error because:
🔥 www and non-www versions serve the file separately
Example:
| URL | Result |
|---|---|
| https://example.com/ads.txt | Works |
| https://www.example.com/ads.txt | 404 or different content |
Since Google treats www and non-www as different sites, verification fails.
🔧 Permanent Fix — Add .htaccess Redirect (Hostinger / Apache Servers)
Follow this fix if you’re using WordPress on Hostinger / cPanel / Apache.
Step 1: Edit .htaccess
Go to:File Manager → public_html → .htaccess
Add the following code at the top:
# Redirect www to non-www
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www\.(.+)$ [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%1/$1 [L,R=301]
What this does:
✔ Redirects www → non-www
✔ Ensures Google crawls one canonical domain
✔ Works for all pages including ads.txt
✔ Sends a 301 permanent redirect (Google-recommended)
Example result:
https://www.example.com/ads.txt → https://example.com/ads.txt
🔄 FIX #2: Remove Plugin Conflicts (Very Important)
Many users fail verification because plugins — especially Google Site Kit — override the real ads.txt file.
👉 Correct approach:
- Deactivate and delete Google Site Kit plugin
- Go to AdSense → Fix Now → Download ads.txt
- Upload this file manually to public_html (root folder)
- Make sure the file opens at:
https://yourdomain.com/ads.txt
No plugin should control ads.txt — it must be a real file stored in the root directory.
🧹 Clear Cache After Applying Fix
Caching can prevent updated ads.txt from showing.
Clear:
✔ WordPress cache (e.g., LiteSpeed / WP Super Cache)
✔ Cloudflare or CDN cache
✔ Browser cache
🧪 Final Verification Checklist
| Requirement | Status |
|---|---|
| ads.txt stored in root directory (public_html) | ✔ |
| File permissions: 644 | ✔ |
| Site Kit removed | ✔ |
| www redirects to non-www version | ✔ |
| Cache fully cleared | ✔ |
Visit both URLs:
- https://example.com/ads.txt
- https://www.example.com/ads.txt
Both should display the same file.
Once Google detects this, the warning in your AdSense dashboard will disappear (usually within 24–48 hours).
🏁 Conclusion
The “AdSense ads.txt not found” error is usually caused by:
🔹 Separate ads.txt files for www and non-www
🔹 Plugin-generated ads.txt conflicts
Fixing it is simple:
✔ Upload ads.txt manually to public_html
✔ Add the 301 redirect rule in .htaccess
✔ Clear cache
This permanently resolves the issue — no plugins required.
Published – Makemychance.com
Arsalan Malik is a passionate Software Engineer and the Founder of Makemychance.com. A proud CDAC-qualified developer, Arsalan specializes in full-stack web development, with expertise in technologies like Node.js, PHP, WordPress, React, and modern CSS frameworks.
He actively shares his knowledge and insights with the developer community on platforms like Dev.to and engages with professionals worldwide through LinkedIn.
Arsalan believes in building real-world projects that not only solve problems but also educate and empower users. His mission is to make technology simple, accessible, and impactful for everyone.
