The 500 Internal Server Error is one of the most common and frustrating issues WordPress site owners face. It’s a generic error message, often without much detail, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause.
For agencies managing multiple WordPress sites, understanding and resolving this error is essential to maintaining site uptime, user experience, and SEO performance.
In this guide, we will break down everything you need to know about the 500 error, from its meaning to its causes, and provide solutions to fix it quickly and effectively.
Table of Contents
What is a 500 Error in WordPress?
The 500 Internal Server Error is a broad and generic HTTP status code indicating that the server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request. This error doesn’t give specific details about the root cause, which is why it can be frustrating to troubleshoot.
In WordPress, the error typically appears as a blank screen or with the message “Internal Server Error” or “500 – Internal Server Error.” It means the server is not able to process the request due to issues like server misconfigurations, plugin conflicts, coding errors, or resource limitations.
In simple terms, 500 Internal Server Error means:
- It’s a catch-all status code for server failures.
- Often results in a broken webpage with vague details.
- Not caused by user actions like browser misconfigurations.
How the 500 Error Impacts WordPress Sites
If neglected, 500 internal server errors can create a lot of nuisance for WordPress developers.
Website Downtime
The most immediate impact of a 500 error is that the website becomes inaccessible to visitors. When users encounter this error, they can’t access the content or services, leading to frustrated users and potential loss of business.
SEO Consequences
Search engines like Google will have difficulty crawling and indexing pages that return a 500 error. If the error persists, search engines may reduce the frequency of crawling, potentially harming the site’s SEO ranking.
Loss of Revenue
Agencies that rely on their websites for e-commerce or lead generation will face financial consequences if their website remains down due to the 500 error. Any downtime translates into lost sales and missed opportunities.
Damaged Reputation
Repeated 500 internal server errors can damage a business’s reputation. Customers expect sites to be available 24/7, and if your site is down, they may turn to competitors, causing long-term reputation damage.
Common Causes of 500 Errors in WordPress
Understanding why the 500 error code appears can help you identify and fix the issue quickly. Here are the most common causes:
- Corrupted .htaccess File
The .htaccess file is essential for WordPress site configuration. A corrupt or misconfigured .htaccess file can lead to a 500 error. This file manages rewrite rules, redirects, and URL structures. If the rules become invalid, the server may throw a 500 error.
- Exceeding PHP Memory Limits
WordPress sites often run into issues when they exceed the PHP memory limit set by the server. This can happen due to plugins or themes that require more memory than is allocated. When the site exceeds the memory limit, the server may display a 500 error code.
- Plugin or Theme Conflicts
Outdated or incompatible plugins and themes are one of the main reasons behind the 500 internal server errors. These conflicts often arise after updates or when adding new features to your WordPress site.
Must Read: How to Resolve WordPress Theme Conflicts and Errors Like a Pro
- Server Misconfigurations
Incorrect server configurations can also lead to error 500. These issues can occur due to server software incompatibility or misconfigured settings in Apache or Nginx servers. Server-side issues like permissions or faulty scripts can trigger the 500 error as well.
- File Permission Issues
File permission settings on WordPress directories and files can cause server errors. If WordPress files are not accessible to the server due to incorrect permissions, the 500 internal server error will appear.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix the 500 Error
While 500 errors can mess up many things, you can fix them easily like any other common WordPress error. Here are the most viable solutions to fix 500 internal server errors.
1. Check the .htaccess File
The .htaccess file is crucial in managing the configuration of your WordPress site, including URL redirections and rewriting rules. A corrupted .htaccess file can cause various issues, including the 500 internal server error.
Steps to resolve the issue:
- Access the Root Directory via FTP or File Manager:
Use an FTP client (like FileZilla) or your hosting provider’s file manager to connect to your website’s root directory, where the .htaccess file is located (usually in the main folder where wp-admin, wp-content, and wp-includes are stored).
- Rename the .htaccess File:
Right-click the .htaccess file and rename it to .htaccess_old (or any name you prefer). This step helps to determine if the .htaccess file is causing the error.
- Reload Your Site:
Try accessing your website again. If the 500 error no longer appears, it indicates that the .htaccess file was causing the issue.
- Regenerate a New .htaccess File:
Go to the WordPress Dashboard > Settings > Permalinks.
Without changing any settings, click Save Changes. This action will automatically generate a fresh .htaccess file with the correct settings.
- Test Your Site:
Visit your site to verify if the issue has been resolved.
2. Increase PHP Memory Limit
A 500 internal server error can occur if your WordPress site exceeds its PHP memory limit, which can be caused by resource-heavy plugins or themes.
Steps to resolve the issue:
- Access the wp-config.php File:
Use an FTP client or your hosting control panel’s file manager to locate the wp-config.php file in your site’s root directory.
- Add the PHP Memory Limit Code:
Open the wp-config.php file in a text editor and add the following line of code just above the line that says /* That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */:
define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);
This line increases the PHP memory limit for your WordPress site to 256 MB, which should prevent memory-related 500 errors.
- Save Changes:
Save the changes to the wp-config.php file and upload it back to the server if you’re using an FTP client.
- Test Your Site:
Refresh your site and check if the error has been resolved. If the error persists, the issue may not be related to the memory limit.
3. Deactivate All Plugins
Plugins can sometimes conflict with each other or with WordPress updates, resulting in a 500 error.
Steps to resolve the issue:
- Access the wp-content Folder:
Connect to your site via FTP or file manager and navigate to the wp-content folder, which contains all your installed plugins.
- Rename the Plugins Folder:
Find the plugins folder and rename it to plugins_old. This will deactivate all plugins on your site.
- Check Your Site:
Visit your website. If the 500 error is gone, it confirms that a plugin was the cause of the issue.
- Reactivate Plugins One by One:
To find which plugin is causing the error, return to the wp-content folder and rename the plugins_old folder back to plugins.
Then, reactivate each plugin one by one from the WordPress Dashboard, checking your site after each reactivation to identify the plugin causing the issue.
4. Switch to a Default Theme
A theme conflict, especially if it’s outdated or poorly coded, can also result in a 500 error.
Steps to resolve the issue:
- Access the WordPress Dashboard:
Log into your WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to Appearance > Themes.
- Activate a Default WordPress Theme:
If you’re using a custom theme, switch to a default WordPress theme, such as Twenty Twenty-Three.
If the site is inaccessible due to the error, you can activate a default theme via FTP. Navigate to the /wp-content/themes/ folder, and rename the folder of your current theme (e.g., mytheme_old). This should force WordPress to revert to a default theme.
- Test Your Site:
After switching themes, check your website to see if it loads without the 500 error.
- Return to Your Theme:
If the error disappears after switching to a default theme, you may need to update or troubleshoot your theme to resolve the issue.
5. Check File Permissions
Incorrect file permissions can prevent WordPress from accessing necessary files, leading to a 500 error.
Steps to resolve the issue:
- Access Your Site Files via FTP or File Manager:
Connect to your site using FTP or your hosting control panel’s file manager.
- Check Directory and File Permissions:
Ensure that WordPress directories have a permission setting of 755 and files have a permission setting of 644. These are the standard settings required for WordPress to function correctly.
- Adjust Permissions if Necessary:
Right-click on directories and select File Permissions (or Change Permissions) to update them to 755 for directories and 644 for files.
- Test Your Site:
After adjusting the permissions, refresh your site to check if the 500 error is resolved.
6. Look at Server Logs
If the previous solutions don’t resolve the issue, checking the server logs can give you more detailed information about what’s causing the 500 internal server error.
Steps to resolve the issue:
- Access Server Error Logs:
Log into your hosting account and access the error logs, which are usually available through your hosting control panel (like cPanel). Alternatively, you can ask your hosting provider for the error logs.
- Look for Specific Error Messages:
Look for error messages related to your database, server configuration, or WordPress files. These messages can help pinpoint the exact cause of the 500 error.
- Resolve the Issue Based on Logs:
Use the information from the logs to fix the specific issue. It may relate to an issue with a script, database connection, or server misconfiguration.
- Contact Support if Needed:
If you’re unable to interpret the logs or resolve the issue, contact your hosting provider for assistance.
7. Contact Your Hosting Provider
If all else fails, your hosting provider may have more insights into the 500 error, especially if it’s related to server issues or misconfigurations.
Reach out to your hosting provider’s support team and provide them with the details of the issue, including any error messages and troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken.
Your hosting provider may need to check server logs, perform server-side fixes, or adjust server configurations to resolve the issue.
After your hosting provider applies fixes, check your site to see if the error has been resolved.
How to Prevent 500 Errors in WordPress
If you don’t want 500 internal server errors to give you migraine, follow these preventive measures.
Keep WordPress, Plugins, and Themes Updated
Outdated software is a leading cause of 500 internal server errors. Regular updates ensure compatibility, security, and performance improvements.
Tip: Set up automatic updates for plugins and themes whenever possible.
Choose Reputable Plugins and Themes
Low-quality or poorly coded plugins and themes can conflict with other site elements, triggering the 500 error. Always opt for well-reviewed and actively maintained plugins and themes.
To ensure your site runs smoothly without any unexpected 500 errors or other issues, the best move is to test any theme or plugin you plan to launch on your client’s site in a staging environment. This way, you can catch potential conflicts, bugs, or performance issues before they impact the live site.
By using a staging environment, you can experiment with different configurations and updates safely, knowing that your live site remains unaffected. It’s a proactive approach that saves time, prevents downtime, and ensures a seamless experience for your clients.
Use a Reliable Hosting Provider
When it comes to preventing 500 errors in WordPress, one of the most crucial steps is ensuring you’re using managed hosting tailored specifically for WordPress.
Managed WordPress hosting providers offer optimized servers and configurations designed to meet the unique demands of WordPress websites, significantly reducing the risk of common errors like the 500 internal server error.
A managed hosting provider takes care of server-level configurations, updates, and performance optimizations, ensuring your WordPress site runs smoothly without encountering resource limitations or incompatibilities.
The best managed hosting providers for agencies also have caching mechanisms, database optimizations, and security enhancements in place, which directly contribute to better performance and fewer errors.
Monitor Server Performance
Regularly monitor server resources like PHP memory, CPU usage, and disk space to ensure that your site does not hit resource limits that could trigger a 500 error.
Backup Regularly
Always maintain a regular backup schedule. This will ensure that if a 500 error occurs, you can restore the site quickly to avoid significant downtime.
Conclusion
The 500 error is an unpleasant, yet common issue that WordPress agencies will inevitably encounter. By understanding its causes and impacts, agencies can quickly troubleshoot and resolve the problem to minimize downtime and protect SEO rankings and reputation.
Regular maintenance, plugin management, and server monitoring are essential practices to prevent this issue from reoccurring. With this comprehensive guide, you now have the tools to handle and resolve 500 internal server errors effectively.