The 500 Internal Server Error is a common annoying problem encountered by the WordPress users.
This error means that there is an issue on the server side. It prevents the website from loading correctly.
This article discusses, How to fix the WordPress 500 Internal Server Error and how to prevent them in future.
What is 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress?
The 500 Internal Server Error is a generic message which indicates an issue with the server.
But the challenge here is, it will not specify the exact problem. This makes troubleshooting a little difficult.
Here is the 500 Internal Server Error on WordPress:
How the error looks like in chrome is as follows,
The common cause for this Error includes,
- PHP Script Errors – This includes the problems with the Themes, Plugins and the Core Components of the WordPress.
- Database Corruption – This includes problems with the database of WordPress.
- Problems with Server Configuration – This includes misconfigured settings on the hosting server.
- Insufficient Server Resources – This includes that the server is consuming more resources than available.
How to fix the WordPress 500 Internal Server Error?
The common causes of WordPress 500 Internal Server Error and its fixes is as follows,
1.Check for Server Issues
Before diving into more detailed troubleshooting, it is important to determine whether the issue is with the server of your hosting provider.
Because the problem will be with the server itself or due to temporary maintenance. To find out if there are any ongoing server problems, reach out to the support team of your hosting company.
2.Troubleshoot Common Causes
a. Plugin Issues
Plugins are a common source of conflicts that leads to 500 internal server errors.
To Resolve:
Deactivate All Plugins – Use a file manager or FTP connection to access your WordPress dashboard.
Then, rename the plugins folder in wp-content to something like plugins_backup. All plugins will be deactivated by this action.
Re-activate Plugins One by One – Rename the folder back to plugins and activate each plugin individually. This procedure will help to identify whether a specific plugin is the root cause of the issue.
b. Theme Issues
The themes used can also be the cause of this issue.
To Resolve:
Switch to a Default Theme – To check if the issue persists, temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme such as Twenty Twenty-Three.
This can be done by accessing the themes folder in wp-content and renaming the active theme folder.
By doing so, WordPress will automatically switch back to its default theme.
c. .htaccess File Issues
A corrupted .htaccess file leads to 500 Internal server errors.
To Resolve:
Regenerate .htaccess file – Rename the existing .htaccess file which is located in the root directory of WordPress to .htaccess_old.
Now go to the WordPress dashboard. Navigate settings → Permalinks. Click “Save Changes” to regenerate a new .htaccess file.
d. PHP Memory Limit
Server errors may result from insufficient PHP memory.
To Resolve:
Increase the PHP Memory Limit – Add the following line to your wp-config.php file, just before the line that says “That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging”
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); 3.Examine Error Logs
Error logs can offer important information about what’s causing the 500 Internal Server Error.
Use your hosting control panel to view the error logs on your server. Contact your hosting provider for assistance.
Look for specific error codes or messages that will help you with troubleshooting.
4.Verify File Permissions
Incorrect file permissions also cause server errors. So examine the file permissions. Make sure that the permissions are set correctly for the file.
Generally, files should be set to 644 and directories to 755. Using a file manager or an FTP client, you can change permissions.
5.Re-Upload Core WordPress Files
Corrupted core files are the potential cause of the 500 Internal server issue.
The steps included in re-uploading core files of WordPress is as follows,
- Download a new version of WordPress from its official website.
- After extracting the files, upload them to your server to overwrite the existing core files.
- Be careful not to overwrite the wp-content directory or wp-config.php file.
6.Restore from Backup
If all the above methods fail, it is needed to restore from a backup. If you have a recent backup of your site, consider restoring it to a version before the error occurred. Make use of the WordPress backup plugin.
How to prevent the WordPress 500 Internal Server Error?
The below steps helps to avoid the WordPress 500 Internal Server Error in future,
- Make sure the WordPress core, themes and plugins are up-to-date. The update should include bug fixes and security patches too.
- Backup your website regularly. This helps in restoration in case something goes wrong.
- Monitor the server’s CPU, memory and disk usage. Errors will occur if the resources are running low.
- Review the.htaccess file regularly for any syntax errors or incorrect configurations.
- When developing custom plugins or themes, ensure the code is error-free, optimized and clean.
- Examine the PHP memory limit. Increase the limit if needed to accommodate resource-intensive tasks.
- Optimize the database of the WordPress website to enhance efficiency and avoid issues.
- Test changes in the staging environment. This helps to avoid live site issues.
- Work with your hosting company to ensure that the server configuration is ideal for WordPress.
- Protect the website from malware and attacks, as security breaches can sometimes trigger errors.
Conclusion
In Conclusion, this blog reveals how to fix the WordPress 500 Internal Server Error. It is a little bit challenging to resolve due its generic nature.
However,
- By methodically checking Server Issues,
- Modifying file permissions,
- Troubleshooting common causes and
- Reviewing error logs the issues can be identified and resolved.
And keep in mind that, having a recent backup can be a life saver in the event that you need to restore your website.
If you need further assistance or want to ensure your site is performing at its best, consider exploring our Technical SEO Services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A 500 error when saving in WordPress indicates a server issue. It can be because of a corrupted .htaccess file, insufficient PHP memory, incorrect file permissions or conflicts with plugin/theme.
To determine if a plugin is causing the 500 Internal Server error, deactivate all plugins. Now check if the error resolves.
If it does, reactivate plugins one by one to identify which one is the cause.
The best cache for WordPress depends on the specific needs. But the common choices include WP Super Cache, W3 Total Cache, and WP Rocket.
By caching static files and optimizing server response, these plugins enhance the performance of the website.
