# URLs with encoding are altered when using Discourse link function
**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/urls-with-encoding-are-altered-when-using-discourse-link-function/400694
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [April 15, 2026, 1:11pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/urls-with-encoding-are-altered-when-using-discourse-link-function/400694 "2026-04-15T13:11:11Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Rubi](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Rubi)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2026, 1:11pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/urls-with-encoding-are-altered-when-using-discourse-link-function/400694/1 "2026-04-15T13:11:12Z")
I searched here and thought that this issue had been resolved.
However, we have a user on our site reporting the following:
Do this:
- open that (working) link (no 404)
- copy link from location bar (Ctrl-L, then Ctrl-C)
- click the link icon in the discourse editor
- paste URL
- save reply
- click the link → 404
This is the relevant link that was used:
```plaintext
https://openzfs.github.io/openzfs-docs/Project%20and%20Community/FAQ.html#using-a-zvol-for-a-swap-device-on-linux
```
Apparently, even though the link has encoding, Discourse encodes it again leading to a 404?
Thanks for any help and workarounds.
---
### Author:  [@NateDhaliwal](https://meta.discourse.org/u/NateDhaliwal)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2026, 1:27pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/urls-with-encoding-are-altered-when-using-discourse-link-function/400694/2 "2026-04-15T13:27:35Z")
I tried your steps and it seems to work: I could access the website just fine, and was brought to the section in the docs. Does this happen in [safe mode](https://meta.discourse.org/t/53504?silent=true)? Is your forum updated to the most recent version?
---
### Author:  [@Rubi](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Rubi)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2026, 1:45pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/urls-with-encoding-are-altered-when-using-discourse-link-function/400694/3 "2026-04-15T13:45:55Z")
I do not believe it was tested in [safe mode](https://meta.discourse.org/t/53504?silent=true).
We are on 3.5.3 at the moment.
---
### Author:  [@Moin](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Moin)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2026, 1:49pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/urls-with-encoding-are-altered-when-using-discourse-link-function/400694/4 "2026-04-15T13:49:32Z")
> [@Rubi](#):
>
> 3.5.3
Then testing on [try.discourse.org](http://try.discourse.org) might make more sense than using [safe mode](https://meta.discourse.org/t/53504?silent=true).
Discourse 3.5 was released in August. Lots of things have improved since then.
Since the end of January, there haven’t even been any security fixes for this version, and there have been plenty of them lately.
---
### Author:  [@NateDhaliwal](https://meta.discourse.org/u/NateDhaliwal)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2026, 1:50pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/urls-with-encoding-are-altered-when-using-discourse-link-function/400694/5 "2026-04-15T13:50:58Z")
> [@Rubi](#):
>
> We are on 3.5.3 at the moment.
A quick look at [releases.discourse.org](http://releases.discourse.org) tells me that ended support in January. I strongly suggest you update to v2026.1.0 (latest ESR).
---
### Author:  [@Rubi](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Rubi)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2026, 2:15pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/urls-with-encoding-are-altered-when-using-discourse-link-function/400694/6 "2026-04-15T14:15:25Z")
To clarify, neither of you are able to reproduce this issue?
I assume try.discourse uses the same login?
Will test and also speak to the relevant parties about updating our site.
Thanks for the help.
---
### Author:  [@Moin](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Moin)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2026, 2:20pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/urls-with-encoding-are-altered-when-using-discourse-link-function/400694/7 "2026-04-15T14:20:34Z")
I wasn’t able to reproduce.
> [@Rubi](#):
>
> I assume try.discourse uses the same login?
It’s not linked to Meta. It’s for testing and usually resets once a day, so your account and the posts you created will be gone tomorrow. You can use your Discourse ID if you have one, but otherwise, it’s independent.
---
### Author:  [@Rubi](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Rubi)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2026, 2:44pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/urls-with-encoding-are-altered-when-using-discourse-link-function/400694/8 "2026-04-15T14:44:11Z")
@Moin Thank you.
I was also not able to reproduce this over at try.discourse
Will speak to our admins about upgrading/updating the site.
Appreciate the help and support 👍
---
### Author:  [@system](https://meta.discourse.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [May 15, 2026, 2:44pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/urls-with-encoding-are-altered-when-using-discourse-link-function/400694/9 "2026-05-15T14:44:54Z")
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