If you’re struggling with the frustrating 500 internal server error on your WordPress website, don’t worry. This common web server error can occur on any site, not just WordPress. Sadly, the error message itself isn’t very helpful, making it difficult to determine the exact cause. But fear not! In this article, we will give you 7 effective solutions to quickly fix the 500 internal server error in WordPress.
Understanding the 500 Internal Server Error
The 500 internal server error is an HTTP error code that indicates that the server encountered an unexpected issue, preventing it from fulfilling the request. It’s a general error message, indicating that the server couldn’t provide a more specific description of the error for troubleshooting. Depending on the web server software you’re using (Nginx or Apache) and the browser you’re using, the appearance of the error page may vary.
Troubleshooting the Internal Server Error in WordPress
Before we dive into the solutions, it’s important to create a complete backup of your WordPress website. Once your site is backed up, follow these steps to troubleshoot the internal server error:
Solution 1: Clear Your Browser Cache
Sometimes, the internal server error can be caused by a cached copy of an error page stored by your browser or WordPress caching plugins. To fix this, start by clearing your browser cache. If you have access to the WordPress admin area, you can also clear the WordPress cache by visiting your caching plugin’s settings page. For detailed instructions, refer to our tutorial on how to clear the WordPress cache.
Solution 2: Fix the Corrupt .htaccess File
A corrupt .htaccess file is one of the most common causes of the internal server error. To fix this, simply go to the Settings » Permalinks page in your WordPress admin area and click the ‘Save Changes’ button without making any modifications. This will prompt WordPress to update or generate a new .htaccess file. If the error persists, you may need to replace the .htaccess file manually. Log in to your website using FTP or the File Manager application, rename the .htaccess file to .htaccess_old, and create a new empty .htaccess file containing the default WordPress rewrite rules. For detailed instructions, consult our tutorial on fixing the corrupt .htaccess file.
Solution 3: Increase the PHP Memory Limit
If a script on your website exceeds the PHP memory limit, it can trigger the internal server error. To fix this, you can increase the PHP memory limit by editing the wp-config.php file. Connect to your WordPress website using FTP or the File Manager, locate the wp-config.php file, and add the following code just above the line that reads ‘That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing’:
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');Save the file and upload it back to the server. If increasing the memory limit doesn’t resolve the issue, try raising it to 512M. For further details, refer to our tutorial on increasing the PHP memory limit in WordPress.
Solution 4: Deactivate Conflicting Plugins
Conflicting plugins, either individually or in combination, can sometimes cause the internal server error. If you can access the WordPress admin area, go to the plugins page and deactivate all WordPress plugins. If you’re unable to access the admin area, connect to your website using FTP, rename the plugins folder to plugins.deactivated, and then try accessing your site again. If the error is resolved, reactivate the plugins one by one to identify the problematic one. For detailed instructions, refer to our guide on deactivating all WordPress plugins without WP-Admin.
Solution 5: Switch to a Default WordPress Theme
Occasionally, the internal server error can be triggered by code in your WordPress theme. To check if this is the case, switch to a default WordPress theme. In the WordPress admin area, go to Appearance » Themes and activate a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Three. If you’re unable to access the admin area, connect via FTP, rename the themes folder in the wp-content folder to backup-themes, and then create a new empty themes folder. Download a default WordPress theme from the WordPress themes directory, upload it to the new themes folder, and check if the error is resolved. You can always switch back to your original theme later.
Solution 6: Reupload the wp-admin and wp-includes Folders
Corrupted files in the wp-admin and wp-includes folders can also cause the internal server error. Download a fresh copy of WordPress from the official website, extract the zip file, and replace the wp-admin and wp-includes folders in your site’s directory. Be careful not to overwrite your wp-content folder, as it contains important data like themes and plugins.
