500 Internal Server Error

What is a 500 Internal Server Error?

A 500 Internal Server Error is one of the most common website errors. It means that the web server encountered an unexpected problem while processing a request and could not complete it. Unlike 404 errors, a 500 error usually indicates a problem on the server side rather than an issue with the visitor's browser.

Common Symptoms

• 500 Internal Server Error
• HTTP Error 500
• Temporary Error (500)
• The website cannot display this page.
• White Screen of Death
• This page isn't working.

Why Does a 500 Internal Server Error Occur?

A server returns HTTP Status Code 500 whenever it encounters an unexpected condition that prevents it from serving the requested page. Common reasons include:

• Corrupted .htaccess file
• PHP syntax errors
• Plugin or module conflicts
• Theme issues
• Incorrect file permissions
• Server memory exhausted
• Database connection problems
• Hosting server configuration issues
• Broken third-party integrations
• Timeouts caused by heavy scripts

How to Fix 500 Internal Server Error

1. Refresh the Page

Sometimes the issue is temporary. Refresh the page after a few seconds.

2. Clear Browser Cache

Cached files can occasionally display outdated error pages.

3. Check the .htaccess File

Rename your .htaccess file temporarily and generate a new one.

.htaccess

RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]

4. Check PHP Errors

Enable PHP error reporting for debugging.

ini_set('display_errors',1);
error_reporting(E_ALL);

5. Review Server Error Logs

Most hosting providers provide an Error Log inside cPanel or Plesk. Example:

PHP Fatal error:
Allowed memory size exhausted

Fatal error:
Call to undefined function

Syntax error:
Unexpected token

6. Check File Permissions

7. Increase PHP Memory Limit

memory_limit = 512M

8. Disable Plugins or Modules

If the error started after installing a plugin or module, disable it temporarily and test the website.

9. Verify Database Connection

Incorrect database credentials or a crashed database server can trigger HTTP 500 errors.

10. Contact Your Hosting Provider

If all troubleshooting steps fail, your hosting provider can check server-level logs and configuration issues.

Common Causes by Platform

How to Prevent HTTP 500 Errors

• Take regular website backups.
• Update PHP to a supported version.
• Update plugins and modules regularly.
• Monitor server logs.
• Use trusted hosting providers.
• Test changes on a staging server.
• Avoid modifying production files directly.
• Monitor website uptime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 500 Internal Server Error caused by the visitor?

No. It is usually caused by a server-side issue.

Can clearing browser cache fix it?

Sometimes, but most cases require server-side troubleshooting.

Can incorrect file permissions cause this error?

Yes. Wrong permissions can prevent PHP from accessing required files.

Can plugins cause HTTP 500?

Yes. Faulty plugins or modules are one of the most common reasons.