How To Fix the 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress

Are you seeing the same thing on your WordPress website? Don’t worry this is one of the most common issues people face with WordPress. The good news? It’s fixable.

This guide will help you fix the error step by step using simple words. Whether you’re just starting with your WordPress site or have been using it for years, this guide will make it easy.

What Is the 500 Internal Server Error?

A 500 internal server error (also called HTTP 500 internal server error, 500 error, or server error 500) means something is wrong with your website’s server. It’s not always clear what caused it, but it means your site can’t be shown.

Here’s the exact error message you might see:

“500 Internal Server Error: The server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request.”

It can happen to any WordPress site and may show up as:

• Error 500
  
• HTTP Error 500
  
• Internal Server Error 500
  
• A blank white screen
  
• 500 error on your WordPress
  

You won’t be able to access the WordPress admin or WordPress dashboard if this error appears.

Common Causes of the 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress

The issue  in WordPress can be triggered by different problems. Here are the most common causes of the 500 error:

• A WordPress plugin or theme conflict
  
• A corrupted .htaccess file
  
• Exceeding your PHP memory limit
  
• Corrupt WordPress core files
  
• Issues with server configuration or server settings
  
• Cache issues related to WordPress cache
  
• Error on your WordPress site due to incompatible code
  

How to Fix the 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress

1. Backup Your WordPress Website First

Before you try to fix anything, backup your WordPress files and database. If you can access the WordPress admin dashboard, use a backup plugin. If not, back up using an FTP client.

2. Check for Corrupt .htaccess File

A broken .htaccess file often causes this problem.

Steps:

1. Use an FTP client or your hosting panel’s file manager.
   
2. Go to the root folder of your WordPress installation.
   
3. Find the .htaccess file.
   
4. Rename it to .htaccess_backup.
   
5. Try reloading your WordPress site.
   

If your site loads, go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and click “Save Changes” to generate a new .htaccess file.

3. Increase the PHP Memory Limit

Low PHP memory limit can cause a 500 error. Increasing it may fix the error.

Steps:

1. Open your wp-config.php file using FTP.
   
2. Add this line before “That’s all, stop editing!”:
   

define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);

3. Save the file and check your site.
   

If this fixes the error 500, your memory was too low. This is a common cause of the 500 error.

4. Deactivate All WordPress Plugins

A faulty plugin is causing the error in many cases.

Steps:

1. Use FTP and go to /wp-content/.
   
2. Rename the plugins folder to plugins_backup.
   
3. Visit your website.
   

If it works, a plugin was causing the error. Rename the folder back, then deactivate plugins one by one in your WordPress admin to find the one causing the 500.

You can also deactivate all WordPress plugins using FTP to resolve the issue.

5. Switch to the Default WordPress Theme

A broken or outdated theme can trigger a 500 server error.

Steps:

1. Go to /wp-content/themes/.
   
2. Rename your current theme’s folder.
   
3. WordPress will switch to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four).
   

This may help it if the theme was the problem.

6. Reupload Core WordPress Files

Sometimes your core WordPress files get corrupted.

Steps:

1. Download a fresh version of WordPress from wordpress.org.
   
2. Extract the files.
   
3. Upload the /wp-admin/ and /wp-includes/ folders to your site using FTP.
   

This does not affect your content or themes and may help you fix the WordPress 500.

7. Check the Server Error Log

The server error log helps find the root cause of the error.

• Ask your host or check the logs via cPanel or your hosting panel.
  
• Look for any entries mentioning 500 internal error, HTTP 500, or plugin/theme issues.
  

This helps identify the cause of the error or what’s triggering the 500 error.

8. Contact Your Web Hosting Provider

If none of the above fixes work, the issue might be on your host’s side.

Ask your host to check for:

• Bad server configuration
  
• Misconfigured permissions
  
• PHP memory limit issues
  
• Errors in the server error response code
  

They can help resolve.

Final tips to avoid the issue

• Keep all WordPress plugins, themes, and WordPress core updated.
  
• Avoid poorly-coded themes or plugins.
  
• Clear the WordPress cache regularly.
  
• Use good hosting with proper server settings.
  
• Check the error log after any changes.
  
• Know the common causes of the 500 so you can act fast.
  

Summary

A 500 internal server error in WordPress can be scary, but you can fix it by:

• Checking your .htaccess file
  
• Increasing the PHP memory limit
  
• Disabling themes and plugins
  
• Re-uploading core WordPress files
  
• Reading the error log
  

Once the internal server error is fixed, back up your site regularly and stay updated.

Still encountering it? We can help.

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