10 min read
A 500 Internal Server Error is one of the most frustrating issues both website owners and users can encounter. Unlike other common errors, it provides little information about what actually went wrong, making it difficult to diagnose and fix quickly. In this article, we’ll break down what a 500 Internal Server Error is, explore the most common causes behind it, and walk you through practical, step-by-step solutions to fix it quickly.
What is a 500 Internal Server Error?Link to heading
When you visit a website, your browser sends a request to the server where that website is hosted. The server receives the request, processes it, and then sends back the resources the visitor asked for, along with an HTTP status code. These status codes are used to show the result of the request.
For example, a 200 status code means everything is working properly, while a 500 status code means something has gone wrong. In this case, a 500 Internal Server Error means the server has encountered an unexpected problem and cannot complete the request, but it cannot provide a more specific explanation of the exact issue.
Common 500 Internal Server Error messages include:
- 500 Internal Server Error
- Temporary Error (500)
- HTTP 500 - Internal Server Error
- Internal Server Error
- HTTP Error 500
- 500 Error
- HTTP 500 Internal Error
- The website cannot display the page - HTTP 500.
- 500. That’s an error. There was an error. Please try again later. That’s all we know.
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Common causes of 500 Internal Server ErrorLink to heading
A 500 Internal Server Error is a common issue, which means there can be many possible reasons behind it. One of the most frequent causes is a problem with scripts, such as a form that cannot properly handle missing or incorrect values. When this happens, the server may fail to process the request and return a 500 Internal Server Error instead.
Another common reason is outdated cache or cookies, which can prevent the authorization process from completing successfully. If your browser is not sending valid information, or is not sending any usable information at all, the server may reject the request.
Incorrect login details can also trigger this error, especially when the website expects valid session data but receives the wrong credentials instead. In some cases, the cause is not on the user’s side at all. Different server-side problems, such as a damaged disk or a malfunctioning software module, can also lead to a 500 Internal Server Error.
The issue may also come from the visitor’s browser, especially when the cache has not been cleared properly. In addition, improper folder permissions, a broken .htaccess file, or plugins that are no longer working as expected can all cause this error.
For that reason, troubleshooting a 500 Internal Server Error usually requires checking both the website environment and the server configuration carefully to identify the exact cause and fix it correctly.
How to fix 500 Internal Server ErrorLink to heading
Website administratorLink to heading
Check the .htaccess file for errors
First, access the root directory of your website files through FTP. In this folder, you will usually find directories such as wp-includes and wp-content. Look for the .htaccess file inside this location. Then, disable it by renaming the file to anything you like.
After that, create a new .htaccess file and upload the following code into it.
Once this is done, open your website again in the browser and check whether the issue has been resolved. If the 500 Internal Server Error is still there, you can move on to other methods.
Disable plugins
Installing or updating an incompatible plugin can easily trigger a 500 Internal Server Error. To fix this, you should first access the root directory of your website through FTP. Then find the wp-content folder, which contains the Plugins directory. Rename this folder to any other name.
Next, reload your website. If the error disappears, then the plugins are likely the cause of the problem. Rename the Plugins folder back to its original name and disable each plugin one by one using the same method. This will help you identify which plugin is causing the issue on your site.
Once you find the faulty plugin, reinstall it or replace it with another plugin that works properly.
Increase the memory limit
A 500 Internal Server Error can also happen when the PHP memory limit is too low, preventing the website from loading plugins, content, or other important files. To solve this problem, you can increase the PHP memory limit by adding the suggested code snippet to the end of your .htaccess file.
After saving the file, check your website again to see whether the error has been fixed. If the issue remains, you can try the next method.
Change the PHP version
To change the PHP version, log in to your Hosting Control Panel and go to PHP Configuration. There, you will see a list of available PHP versions. Choose a different version from the one currently in use, then click Save.
After that, reload your website and check whether the 500 Internal Server Error has been resolved. Make sure to test each version one by one until you find the one that works correctly.
However, if you have already spent a lot of time and still have not found the right solution, do not rush. Return to the original PHP version first, then continue testing other methods to avoid making the problem worse.
Restore a backup
If your WordPress backup is still working properly, restoring it can be an effective way to fix the 500 Internal Server Error. Start by removing all of the current WordPress site files from the server. Then upload the content from the backup system you recently downloaded. After that, reload your website and check whether the error has been resolved.
This method is especially useful when the issue appeared after a recent change, update, or file corruption.
Re-upload the original WordPress files
Another practical way to fix the 500 Internal Server Error is to download a fresh WordPress package and replace the original website files. Before doing this, make sure you create a full WordPress backup to avoid losing any important data. Once you download the new WordPress version, save it on your computer and extract the files.
Next, delete the wp-content folder and the wp-config-sample.php file. Then upload the clean WordPress core files and choose to overwrite the old ones. This can help restore damaged or missing system files that may be causing the problem.
Check file and folder permissions
Incorrect file or folder permissions are another common cause of a 500 Internal Server Error. If the permissions are not set correctly on your server, WordPress may not be able to access important files. To check this, review the error message shown in the URL or inspect the server settings directly.
Then confirm that the file and folder permissions are configured correctly. In many cases, fixing the permissions is enough to bring the website back online.
Fix PHP server timeout errors
A PHP server timeout can also trigger a 500 Internal Server Error, especially on Linux or Unix servers running PHP. This usually happens when there is a problem with a PHP library or package, which prevents the server from reading the PHP file correctly.
In other cases, the error may appear because the server is overloaded or too many users are accessing the site at the same time. When this happens, the server may stop responding properly and display the error instead.
Contact your hosting provider
If you have already tried several solutions and the 500 Internal Server Error still remains, the best next step is to contact your hosting provider. Explain the issue clearly and provide as many details as possible so the technical support team can diagnose it faster. In many cases, the hosting provider can identify the root cause and resolve the problem quickly.
This means you do not need to worry too much, because professional support can often restore your website much sooner.
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UserLink to heading
Clear browser cookies
The first thing to try is deleting the specific cookie for the website that is showing the error. This removes any invalid local data stored in your browser and refreshes the authentication information that may be causing the issue. Clearing cookies usually does not affect your overall browsing experience very much. In some cases, though, a website may take a few extra seconds to load because it needs to download the cached data again.
Clear the browser cache
Clearing your browser cache is another useful troubleshooting step before moving on to deeper fixes on your website. A 500 Internal Server Error is usually not caused by cached files, but in some situations, we have seen the error disappear after the cache was cleared. It is definitely worth trying because it is simple and often effective.
This action also lets you choose the date range and the types of files you want to remove, which helps you avoid deleting anything important by mistake.
Reload the page several times (F5)
This may sound obvious to some people, but one of the easiest and first things you should try when you see a 500 Internal Server Error is to wait a minute or two and reload the page. The server may simply be overloaded, and the website may start working again shortly after. While waiting, you can also try opening the site in another browser to quickly check whether the problem is related to your current browser.
Check the URL
Another possible cause of a 500 Internal Server Error is an incorrect URL. This can happen if the web address was typed incorrectly, if a link points to the wrong location, or if the URL is restricted to authorized users only. Take a close look at the URL and make sure every character is correct. If the address contains special symbols, check that they have been entered properly as well.
Check the .htaccess file
A very common cause of a 500 Internal Server Error is a misconfiguration in the .htaccess file. To fix the error, you should make sure there are no mistakes in this file. URL rewriting errors can also lead to this problem, although not always. Finding and correcting any wrong settings in the .htaccess file can often solve the issue.
Contact the website administrator
Reaching out to the website administrator should be your last step. In many cases, the administrator may not know about the error yet or may not have received any report from users. Your message can be helpful to them and may also be the fastest way to get the 500 Internal Server Error resolved so you can access the site again.
ConclusionLink to heading
In summary, a 500 Internal Server Error is a critical issue that can disrupt website performance, user experience, and even search engine visibility if not handled promptly. While the error itself may seem unclear, its root causes are often linked to server configuration, plugin conflicts, file permissions, or resource limitations. By following a structured troubleshooting process you can quickly identify and resolve the issue.
More importantly, maintaining your website regularly, monitoring server performance, and choosing a reliable hosting provider are key to preventing the 500 Internal Server Error from occurring again. If the problem persists despite your efforts, do not hesitate to seek professional support to ensure your website remains stable, secure, and accessible at all times.
Want to prevent errors like this in the future? Check out more in-depth articles on the W7SFW blog today.