Dealing with a 500 Internal Server Error on your WordPress site can feel overwhelming. It’s a common problem that stops both you and your visitors from accessing the site. This error, also called HTTP Error 500, means something isn’t working right on the server, but it doesn’t tell you exactly what’s wrong. This can leave you feeling stuck, wondering how to fix it.

The good news? Solving a 500 Internal Server Error isn’t as hard as it seems. In this simple guide by Owrbit, we’ll show you 10 easy fixes to get your site running again. From checking your .htaccess file to turning off plugins or increasing your PHP memory, these steps will help you tackle the issue quickly and confidently.

Whether you’re new to WordPress or have been using it for years, this guide will make troubleshooting a 500 Internal Server Error or HTTP Error 500 simple and stress-free. No need to feel lost—just follow these practical tips, and your site will be back online in no time. Let’s get started!

What is the 500 Internal Server Error :

The 500 Internal Server Error is a general error message that occurs when something goes wrong on the server hosting your website. It doesn’t provide specific details about the problem, making it tricky to diagnose at first. This error essentially tells you that the server encountered an unexpected condition and couldn’t complete the request to display your website.

In WordPress, a 500 Internal Server Error can happen for various reasons, including:

• Corrupted .htaccess file
• Plugin or theme conflicts
• PHP memory limit being too low
• Issues with server configurations
• Outdated WordPress core or plugins

When visitors encounter this error, they see a blank page or a message like “500 Internal Server Error”, preventing them from accessing your site. For website owners, fixing this issue quickly is essential to restoring functionality and user experience.

Common Causes of the 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress :

Here are some common causes of the 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress:

1. Corrupted .htaccess File :
   • The .htaccess file is critical for managing site configurations. If it’s corrupted, it can trigger a 500 Internal Server Error.
2. Plugin Conflicts :
   • A poorly coded or incompatible plugin can conflict with your WordPress site, leading to an HTTP Error 500.
3. Theme Issues :
   • A faulty or outdated theme might cause the server to fail while loading your site.
4. PHP Memory Limit Exhaustion
   • If your WordPress site exceeds the server’s PHP memory limit, it can result in a 500 Internal Server Error.
5. Server Configuration Errors :
   • Misconfigured server settings, such as incorrect file permissions, can also trigger this error.
6. Outdated WordPress Core, Plugins, or Themes :
   • Running outdated versions of WordPress, plugins, or themes can lead to compatibility issues and errors.
7. Broken File or Database :
   • A corrupted WordPress core file or database issue can stop your site from functioning properly.
8. Issues with Hosting Provider :
   • Problems on the hosting server, such as downtime or misconfigured server settings, can cause a 500 Internal Server Error.

Understanding these causes is the first step to troubleshooting and fixing the error effectively.

Easy Solutions for the 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress :

Encountering a 500 Internal Server Error on your WordPress site can be frustrating, but don’t worry—it’s fixable. Below is a detailed guide to resolve this issue step by step.

---

Solution 1: Check Your .htaccess File

A corrupted .htaccess file is one of the most common causes of the 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress. This file is responsible for managing important configurations, such as permalinks, and even a small issue in it can disrupt your site.

Steps to Fix a Corrupted .htaccess File :

1. Access Your Site Files
   • Use an FTP client (like FileZilla) or your hosting control panel’s File Manager to access your WordPress installation files.
   • Navigate to the root directory of your site (usually called public_html or the folder where WordPress is installed).
2. Locate the .htaccess File
   • Look for a file named .htaccess. If you can’t see it, ensure that your FTP client or File Manager is set to show hidden files.
3. Rename the .htaccess File
   • Rename the file to something like .htaccess_backup. This effectively disables the file without deleting it.
4. Test Your Site
   • Go to your website and refresh the page.
   • If the site loads without the 500 Internal Server Error, the .htaccess file was the issue.
5. Generate a New .htaccess File
   • Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
   • Go to Settings > Permalinks and click Save Changes without making any modifications.
   • This will create a fresh .htaccess file with default settings.
6. Check for Custom Rules
   • If you had custom rules in your old .htaccess file (e.g., for caching or redirects), carefully add them back one at a time. Test your site after each addition to ensure the error doesn’t return.

By addressing potential issues with the .htaccess file, you can often resolve the error quickly and get your WordPress site back online.

Solution 2: Increase PHP Memory Limit

A 500 Internal Server Error can occur when your WordPress site runs out of allocated memory. This is common on resource-intensive sites or when plugins and themes demand more memory than the server allows. Increasing the PHP memory limit is a simple fix to resolve this issue.

Steps to Increase PHP Memory Limit :

1. Edit the wp-config.php File
   • Access your site’s files via an FTP client or your hosting control panel.
   • Locate the wp-config.php file in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
   • Open the file in a text editor and add the following line before the line that says, “That’s all, stop editing!”:
     • define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
   • Save the changes and upload the file back to the server.
2. Modify the php.ini File (if applicable)
   • If your hosting provider allows access to the php.ini file, you can increase the memory limit there.
   • Locate the php.ini file in your server’s root directory or create one if it doesn’t exist.
   • Add or update the following line:
     • memory_limit = 256M
   • Save the file and restart your server if required.
3. Update the .htaccess File
   • If you don’t have access to php.ini, you can try updating the .htaccess file.
   • Add the following line at the end of the file:
     • php_value memory_limit 256M
   • Save the file and refresh your website.
4. Test Your Website
   • After increasing the memory limit, reload your site to see if the 500 Internal Server Error is resolved.

By increasing the PHP memory limit, you can often resolve memory-related 500 Internal Server Errors, ensuring your WordPress site runs smoothly.

Solution 3: Deactivate All Plugins

Plugins are powerful tools that extend your WordPress site’s functionality, but sometimes, they can conflict with each other or with the WordPress core, leading to a 500 Internal Server Error. Deactivating all plugins temporarily can help identify if a plugin is the cause of the error.

Steps to Deactivate All Plugins :

1. Access Your Site Files via FTP or File Manager
   • Use an FTP client like FileZilla or your hosting control panel’s File Manager to access your WordPress installation files.
   • Navigate to the wp-content folder, where all your WordPress plugins are stored.
2. Rename the Plugins Folder
   • Inside the wp-content folder, locate the plugins folder.
   • Rename the folder to something like plugins_disabled. This will deactivate all plugins at once.
3. Test Your Website
   • After renaming the folder, try accessing your website again. If the 500 Internal Server Error disappears, it means one of the plugins was causing the issue.
4. Reactivate Plugins One by One
   • Rename the plugins_disabled folder back to plugins.
   • Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard and go to the Plugins section.
   • Reactivate each plugin one by one, testing your site after each activation to identify which plugin is causing the error.
5. Update or Replace the Problematic Plugin
   • Once you’ve identified the problematic plugin, check for updates. If an update is available, install it and test your site again.
   • If the plugin is outdated or incompatible, consider finding an alternative plugin that offers similar functionality.

By deactivating all plugins, you can quickly identify if a plugin conflict is causing the 500 Internal Server Error and resolve the issue efficiently.

Solution 4: Switch to a Default Theme

Your WordPress theme controls the design and functionality of your site, but if it’s incompatible with WordPress or a plugin, it can trigger a 500 Internal Server Error. Switching to a default theme can help determine if the issue is theme-related.

Steps to Switch to a Default Theme :

1. Access Your Site Files via FTP or File Manager
   • Use an FTP client like FileZilla or your hosting control panel’s File Manager to access your WordPress installation files.
   • Navigate to the wp-content/themes folder, where all your themes are stored.
2. Rename Your Active Theme Folder
   • Find the folder of your active theme (e.g., mytheme).
   • Rename the theme folder (e.g., to mytheme_backup). This will force WordPress to switch to a default theme automatically.
3. Check Your Website
   • After renaming the theme folder, go to your website and refresh the page.
   • If the 500 Internal Server Error disappears, it indicates that your active theme was causing the issue.
4. Activate a Default WordPress Theme
   • If the error is gone, log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
   • Go to Appearance > Themes and activate a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Three.
   • Reload your site to see if the error is resolved.
5. Troubleshoot the Original Theme
   • If switching to a default theme resolves the issue, the problem lies with your original theme.
   • Check for theme updates, or consider reinstalling it.
   • If the problem persists, you may need to contact the theme developer or switch to a different theme altogether.

Switching to a default theme is a simple and effective way to identify if a theme conflict is causing the 500 Internal Server Error, and it can help you quickly get your site back on track.

Solution 5: Check File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions can cause a 500 Internal Server Error by preventing the server from accessing or executing certain files on your WordPress site. Ensuring that your files and directories have the correct permissions is essential for proper functionality.

Steps to Check and Fix File Permissions :

1. Access Your Site Files via FTP or File Manager
   • Use an FTP client like FileZilla or your hosting control panel’s File Manager to access your WordPress installation files.
   • Navigate to the root directory where WordPress is installed (usually public_html or a similar folder).
2. Check the Permissions of Files and Directories
   • Right-click on files or directories and choose File Permissions (in FileZilla) or Change Permissions (in File Manager).
   • Check the permissions for the following:
     • Folders: Should be set to 755 (or 750 in some cases).
     • Files: Should be set to 644 (or 640 in some cases).
     • wp-config.php: Should be set to 440 or 400 for extra security.
3. Fix Incorrect Permissions
   • If any file or folder has incorrect permissions, change them to the recommended values:
     • Directories: Set to 755 or 750.
     • Files: Set to 644 or 640.
   • In FileZilla, you can change permissions by right-clicking the file or folder and selecting File Permissions. In File Manager, use the Change Permissions option.
4. Test Your Website
   • After adjusting the permissions, refresh your website to see if the 500 Internal Server Error is resolved.
5. Verify Permissions for Other Files
   • Also, check other important files like .htaccess and wp-config.php to ensure they have the correct permissions.

By ensuring that your file permissions are set correctly, you can prevent access issues that lead to the 500 Internal Server Error and keep your WordPress site functioning smoothly.

Solution 6: Enable Debugging in WordPress

Enabling debugging in WordPress can help you identify the root cause of a 500 Internal Server Error by displaying error messages and warnings that are usually hidden. This allows you to pinpoint the issue more easily and fix it.

Steps to Enable Debugging in WordPress :

1. Access Your wp-config.php File
   • Use an FTP client like FileZilla or your hosting control panel’s File Manager to access your WordPress installation files.
   • Locate the wp-config.php file in the root directory of your WordPress site.
2. Edit the wp-config.php File
   • Open the wp-config.php file in a text editor.
   • Look for the following line:
     • define('WP_DEBUG', false);
   • Change false to true to enable debugging:
     • define('WP_DEBUG', true);
3. Enable Debug Log (Optional)
   • To save error messages to a log file (instead of displaying them on the screen), add the following lines below the WP_DEBUG line:
     • define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
     • define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);
   • This will create a debug.log file in the wp-content folder, where all errors will be logged.
4. Save and Upload the File :
   • After making the changes, save the wp-config.php file and upload it back to your server.
5. Check for Errors
   • Visit your website again. If the 500 Internal Server Error persists, you should now see detailed error messages on the screen (if you haven’t disabled error display) or in the debug.log file located in the wp-content folder.
6. Review the Error Log :
   • Open the debug.log file to review any errors or warnings. This log will give you valuable insights into which plugin, theme, or script is causing the issue.
   • If the log reveals a specific plugin or theme causing the error, you can disable it and troubleshoot further.

Enabling debugging helps you uncover the underlying cause of the 500 Internal Server Error and can speed up the troubleshooting process by providing clear error messages or logs.

Solution 7: Re-upload Core WordPress Files

Corrupted or missing core WordPress files can sometimes cause a 500 Internal Server Error. Re-uploading the core WordPress files can help restore any missing or damaged files, potentially fixing the error and getting your site back online.

Steps to Re-upload Core WordPress Files :

1. Download the Latest WordPress Version
   • Go to the official WordPress website and download the latest version of WordPress.
   • Extract the downloaded ZIP file on your computer.
2. Access Your Site via FTP or File Manager
   • Use an FTP client like FileZilla or your hosting control panel’s File Manager to access your WordPress installation files.
   • Navigate to the root directory where WordPress is installed (usually public_html or a similar folder).
3. Delete the wp-admin and wp-includes Folders
   • In the WordPress installation directory, locate the wp-admin and wp-includes folders.
   • Do not delete the wp-content folder, as it contains your themes, plugins, and uploads.
   • Delete the wp-admin and wp-includes folders.
4. Upload Fresh Core Files
   • From the extracted WordPress files on your computer, upload the fresh wp-admin and wp-includes folders to your server.
   • You can also upload individual files from the root directory (such as index.php, wp-config-sample.php, etc.) to overwrite any corrupted files.
5. Check for Missing Files
   • Ensure that all the core files are uploaded correctly and there are no missing or corrupted files.
   • If needed, overwrite any remaining WordPress files in the root directory.
6. Test Your Website
   • After re-uploading the files, refresh your website to check if the 500 Internal Server Error is resolved.

Re-uploading the core WordPress files can fix issues caused by corrupted or missing files, helping to resolve the 500 Internal Server Error and restore your website’s functionality.

Solution 8: Contact Your Hosting Provider

If you’ve tried all the previous solutions and are still encountering the 500 Internal Server Error, it may be time to contact your hosting provider. Sometimes, server-related issues, such as resource limits, server misconfigurations, or temporary outages, can cause this error. Your hosting provider can help identify and resolve server-side issues that may be beyond your control.

Steps to Contact Your Hosting Provider :

1. Check Your Hosting Provider’s Status Page
   • Before contacting support, check your hosting provider’s status page or social media channels to see if there are any ongoing server issues or maintenance that could be causing the error.
   • Many hosting providers post updates about server outages or technical difficulties.
2. Gather Relevant Information
   • Prepare details about the 500 Internal Server Error, including:
     • When the error started occurring.
     • Any recent changes made to your website (e.g., plugin updates, theme changes).
     • Steps you’ve already taken to troubleshoot the issue.
     • If possible, provide error logs (such as the debug.log file) to help them diagnose the problem more efficiently.
3. Contact Support
   • Reach out to your hosting provider’s support team through their preferred method (live chat, email, or phone).
   • Provide them with the information you’ve gathered, and explain the issue in detail.
4. Request a Server-Side Check
   • Ask your hosting provider to check for server misconfigurations, resource limits (e.g., PHP memory limits), or any issues that may be causing the 500 Internal Server Error.
   • If the issue is related to server resources, they may suggest upgrading your hosting plan or optimizing server settings.
5. Follow Up
   • If your hosting provider identifies a problem and resolves it, ask them to confirm that the issue is fixed.
   • If they cannot resolve the issue, request further assistance or consider switching to a different hosting provider if necessary.

By contacting your hosting provider, you leverage their expertise and resources to resolve the 500 Internal Server Error efficiently, ensuring your WordPress site returns to normal operation.

Solution 9: Review Error Logs

Error logs can provide valuable information about what’s causing the 500 Internal Server Error on your WordPress site. By reviewing these logs, you can pinpoint the exact issue, whether it’s related to plugins, themes, or server configurations.

Steps to Review Error Logs :

1. Access Error Logs via Hosting Control Panel
   • Log in to your hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel, Plesk, or a custom dashboard).
   • Look for an option like Error Logs, Log Viewer, or Raw Access Logs.
   • In some cases, error logs are stored in the logs folder or a similar directory in your hosting account.
2. Check the Error Log for Relevant Entries
   • Look for any recent entries that match the time the 500 Internal Server Error occurred.
   • The logs will usually display error messages or warnings, such as “permission denied,” “file not found,” or “memory limit exceeded.”
3. Identify the Source of the Error
   • Error logs will often include details about the file or script causing the issue. For example, you might see something like:
     • [error] [client 123.45.67.89] File does not exist: /home/user/public_html/wp-content/plugins/plugin-name
   • This indicates that a specific plugin or file is causing the error.
4. Use the Error Information to Troubleshoot :
   • Once you identify the source of the error, you can take appropriate action:
     • Plugin Issues: Deactivate or update the plugin causing the error.
     • Theme Issues: Switch to a default theme if the error is related to your active theme.
     • File Permissions: Fix any incorrect file permissions that are mentioned in the logs.
5. Check the PHP Error Log (if available)
   • If your hosting provider offers access to PHP error logs, check these as well. They can provide additional details about issues like memory limits, script timeouts, or syntax errors in your WordPress files.

Reviewing error logs is one of the most effective ways to identify the cause of a 500 Internal Server Error. By pinpointing the exact error message or file involved, you can take targeted action to fix the issue and get your site back online quickly.

Solution 10: Restore from Backup

If all else fails and you’re still encountering the 500 Internal Server Error, restoring your website from a backup can be a quick and effective way to resolve the issue. A backup contains a copy of your website’s files and database, allowing you to revert to a working version of your site before the error occurred.

Steps to Restore Your WordPress Site from a Backup :

1. Access Your Backup
   • If you use a backup plugin (e.g., UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, or VaultPress), log into your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the backup plugin settings.
   • If you have a backup stored on your hosting provider’s control panel (e.g., cPanel), log into your hosting account and locate the backup section.
   • If you have a manual backup, ensure you have the backup files ready (including both files and database).
2. Restore the Backup Using a Plugin (if applicable)
   • If you’re using a backup plugin, follow the plugin’s instructions to restore your site. Usually, this involves selecting the most recent backup and clicking the “Restore” button.
   • The plugin will handle the process of restoring both your WordPress files and database.
3. Restore the Backup via Hosting Control Panel (if applicable)
   • If you’re restoring from a backup in your hosting control panel, navigate to the Backup or Backup Wizard section.
   • Choose the backup you want to restore (make sure it’s a version taken before the 500 Internal Server Error occurred).
   • Select Restore and follow the prompts to restore your site files and database.
4. Manual Backup Restoration
   • If you have a manual backup, you’ll need to:
     • Upload your WordPress files via FTP or File Manager.
     • Restore the database using phpMyAdmin (import the .sql file from your backup).
5. Test Your Website
   • After restoring the backup, check your website to ensure it’s functioning properly and the 500 Internal Server Error is resolved.
   • If the issue persists, the backup may not have been taken at the right time, or there could be another underlying problem.

Checkout Importance of Website Backups: Why You Need to Backup Your Site

Restoring from a backup is often the quickest way to resolve a 500 Internal Server Error, especially if other troubleshooting steps have not worked. It allows you to return to a stable version of your site while you continue to investigate the cause of the error.

Conclusion: Troubleshooting with Confidence

Encountering a 500 Internal Server Error on your WordPress site can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can tackle the issue confidently. By following the solutions outlined in this guide, you can systematically identify and resolve the problem, restoring your site’s functionality in no time.

From checking your .htaccess file and increasing your PHP memory limit to deactivating plugins and reviewing error logs, each solution provides a step-by-step process that helps you get to the root cause of the issue. Whether it’s restoring a backup, contacting your hosting provider, or enabling WordPress debugging, you now have a comprehensive toolkit to troubleshoot the 500 Internal Server Error effectively.

Remember, troubleshooting doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. With patience, persistence, and the right tools, you can resolve the error and prevent it from reoccurring. Keep your WordPress site backed up regularly, stay on top of updates, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support when needed. By following these strategies, you’ll be able to maintain a smooth-running site and handle future issues with confidence.

Checkout 10 Ways to Secure Your WordPress Website in 2024