A worst nightmare for a WordPress site owner is the 500 Internal Server Error.
Just imagine, on a fresh day, you open your browser and try to navigate to your site, but instead, a blank white page pops up saying, “This Page isn’t working HTTP ERROR 500!”
Clueless about why it happened, the first thought you may get is: ‘What if I never recovered the site?’
Don’t panic, because there are multiple ways to overcome this problem. In this blog, you will find some of the tried and tested solutions for fixing internal server error 500.
Sometimes a DIY solution can help, but for complex backend issues, you will need professional guidance. In such cases, you can hire WordPress developers for a quick and minimal downtime.
What Is the 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress?
The server throws a 500 – internal server error when it encounters an unexpected configuration problem, preventing it from loading the client/browser-requested website.
In short, when you request the server to load your site, and at the same time, if something isn’t working in the background, WordPress will show the 500 internal server error.
This error isn’t just prone to WordPress; it can appear on any website when its server gets into an unexpected problem.
The 500 error can look different for different servers.
For example, if you are using an Apache server, the error message pops up like:
“INTERNAL SERVER ERROR
The server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request.”
For the Nginx server, the error message reads:
“This page isn’t working
The server is currently unable to handle this request.
HTTP ERROR 500”
For beginners, this feels overwhelming as no message shows what the actual problem is and what is broken. But solving this problem is essential. Let’s look at some common reasons that can cause 500 Internal Server Errors in WordPress.
What Causes the Internal Server Error 500 in WordPress?
As error 500 is a broad spectrum, it can be caused by multiple factors. Here are the most frequent culprits:
Plugin Conflicts
Theme Issue
If you choose a theme that is poorly coded or has vulnerabilities, it can result in a 500 internal server error. Theme conflicts may arise after a theme update or when custom code is added to its core files incorrectly.
Broken .htaccess
.htaccess is the main file that controls site permissions and redirections. If it is modified incorrectly or is damaged, your site may result in an HTTP 500 error and stop responding.
Low PHP memory
WordPress needs enough PHP memory to run scripts. A low memory limit can trigger an internal server error, and the site may crash when loading heavy pages or running complex processes.
Hosting/Server issues
An internal server error can also be the result of server downtime, resource overload, or misconfigurations from your hosting provider.
Though these five are the most common reasons behind error 500, we suggest you check the points below before making potential changes in your site’s core files.
Pre-Troubleshooting Checklist
Before you deactivate, update, or remove anything from your WP site, try implementing these quick checks:
- Try opening your site in incognito. It will bypass browser extensions’ interference in your site’s loading.
- Clean browser cache and cookies. It helps you get rid of cached data that might be showing an outdated 500 error.
- Check on another network or device to ensure that the error isn’t on your local device or network.
Step-by-Step Fix: How to Fix 500 Error Without Coding
Before you begin troubleshooting, make sure that you have a complete backup of your WordPress site. After that, you can implement the following steps to fix the 500 Internal Server Error on your site:
1# Check Hosting Server Status
Check with your hosting provider whether they are experiencing any issues. Many of them have a status page where they report downtime. If you see a downtime reported, wait till it’s resolved.
You can also directly contact support and ask them to review your site’s error logs for details on internal server error 500.
2# Deactivate Plugins
- Go to Plugins -> Installed plugins
- Select all plugins and deactivate them
- Rename the /plugins folder to /plugins-old
- Now test your site. If it loads, one of the plugins is malfunctioning
- Restore them one by one to find the faulty plugin
3# Switch to Default WordPress Theme
- Navigate to Appearance -> Themes
- Activate the latest default theme.
If you can’t access the dashboard, just rename the current theme’s folder in /wp-content/themes. This commands WordPress to revert to a default theme and fixes theme-related crashes.
4# Fix the .htaccess
- Navigate to your site’s root folder in File Manager
- Rename the current .htaccess to .htaccess_old
- Now log in to WP, then go to Settings
- Next, click on Permalinks, and click Save changes to regenerate the file.
- Refresh the browser and check whether the error 500 is solved or not.
5# Grow PHP Memory Limit
- To raise your PHP memory limit, you can navigate to your hosting control panel (Hostinger, SiteGround, Bluehost, etc).
- Raise the limit to at least 256MB.
- Low memory is a common cause for 500 : internal server error when running resource-heavy plugins or themes.
Some hosts allow you to do this via wp-config.php by adding:
define( ‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’ );
6# Reinstall WordPress Core
Open your WordPress dashboard, then go to Updates, and click on Reinstall Now. This lets you replace core WordPress files without affecting your posts, media, or pages.
By this, you’ve covered the simplest and most effective ways to fix a 500 internal server error in WordPress without touching complex code.
If the 500 internal server error persists, it’s best to hire dedicated WordPress developers who can perform advanced diagnostics and ensure your site runs smoothly without further downtime.
Variations of the 500 Internal Server Error
You might see slightly different messages, including:
- “Sorry, something went wrong” 500 – This error message feels more personalised and less technical. It’s often used by specific apps or content management systems (CMS).
- 500 : internal server error – Same as above, but formatted differently depending on the hosting environment or CMS.
- HTTP ERROR 500 – A browser-displayed message indicating the server couldn’t fulfil the request.
- Internal Server Error 500 – Another common phrasing of the same issue, often used in server logs or monitoring tools.
Despite the wording differences, they all mean your server encountered an unexpected problem.
When Should You Stop Troubleshooting and Seek Help?
Despite all the no-code fixes tried, if the internal server error continues to show up, the reason may be something more complex, like:
- Corrupted databases that require repair
- Complex server configuration issues
- Conflicts between multiple advanced plugins
- Malware or hacked files
In such cases, it’s wise not to waste time anymore and hire an expert to prevent further downtime or data loss.
At TRooInbound, quickly diagnose and resolve stubborn 500 internal server errors. We not only fix the issue but also optimise your site to prevent it from happening again.
FAQs
Read Popular Questions
Why does my website keep showing a 500 error?
Error 500 is usually caused by plugin conflicts, theme issues, corrupted files, low PHP memory, or server problems.
Can I fix the WordPress 500 error without coding?
Yes. Most solutions can be done without coding, such as deactivating plugins, switching themes, or increasing PHP memory.
Why does my website keep showing a 500 error?
How does a WordPress 500 error affect SEO?
How can I fix a 500 Internal Server Error?
Check server status, disable plugins, switch themes, fix .htaccess, increase PHP memory, or reinstall WordPress core.
