The 500 Internal Server Error is one of the most common and frustrating issues WordPress users encounter. Unlike specific error messages that clearly indicate what went wrong, the 500 error is a generic server-side error, meaning something went wrong on the server hosting your website but the exact cause isn’t immediately clear. When your WordPress site displays this error, visitors typically see a simple message like “Internal Server Error” or “500 Internal Server Error” with a blank page or minimal explanation. This can be confusing and alarming, especially if you don’t have direct access to server logs or technical tools.
This error can arise due to a variety of reasons: from corrupted files and problematic plugins to incorrect server permissions and resource limitations. In many cases, even a small syntax mistake in your .htaccess file or an exhausted PHP memory limit can bring your entire site down. Because the 500 error is so vague, troubleshooting it requires a methodical approach to isolate and fix the root cause.
For WordPress site owners, the impact can be significant leading to loss of traffic, business interruptions, and frustration. But the good news is that with some basic troubleshooting steps, you can usually resolve the issue yourself without needing to hire a developer.
In this article, we’ll explore the most common causes of the 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress and walk you through detailed, easy-to-follow solutions. From checking your .htaccess file and increasing memory limits, to disabling plugins and contacting your hosting provider, these steps will guide you in getting your site back online quickly and safely. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, this guide is designed to help you understand and fix the WordPress 500 error efficiently.
1. Check or Reset the .htaccess File
The .htaccess file is a powerful configuration file used by Apache web servers to manage website redirects, permalinks, and various security rules. Because WordPress heavily relies on .htaccess for its permalink structure, any corruption or improper changes to this file can cause the dreaded 500 Internal Server Error. This can happen if a plugin or theme writes incorrect rules, or if a manual edit introduces syntax errors.
To check if the .htaccess file is the culprit, access your site via FTP or your hosting File Manager and locate the .htaccess file in your WordPress root directory. Rename it to something like .htaccess_backup to disable it temporarily. Now, try loading your website. If the site works again, you’ve identified the cause. To restore normal function, log into your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Settings → Permalinks, and click the Save Changes button without altering anything. This prompts WordPress to generate a fresh, clean .htaccess file.
If your website still shows the error after resetting .htaccess, then the problem lies elsewhere. But if this step fixes the error, be cautious about manually editing .htaccess in the future, and check any plugins that modify it to avoid recurring issues.
2. Increase PHP Memory Limit
PHP memory limit exhaustion is a common cause of the 500 Internal Server Error. WordPress, its themes, and plugins require a certain amount of memory to execute scripts properly. When your site exceeds this limit — especially on shared hosting environments with low default allocations — PHP stops running, causing the server to throw a generic 500 error.
Increasing the PHP memory limit can solve this problem quickly. To do this, open your wp-config.php file, found in the root WordPress directory, and add the following line just before the line that says, “That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging.”:
This sets the memory limit to 256 megabytes, which is usually sufficient for most WordPress sites. Some hosts may restrict the maximum memory limit, so if this doesn’t work, you may need to increase memory settings via your hosting control panel or contact your provider for assistance.
Increasing the memory limit won’t always fix the error if the root cause is something else, but it is a good early step because many themes and plugins, especially page builders and e-commerce extensions, demand more resources.
3. Disable All Plugins
Plugins extend WordPress functionality but can also be a major source of conflicts and errors, especially if they’re poorly coded, outdated, or incompatible with your current WordPress version. A single plugin with a fatal PHP error can cause the 500 Internal Server Error.
If you still have access to your WordPress admin dashboard, navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins and deactivate all plugins. Then check if the error is resolved. If the site loads without the error, reactivate plugins one by one, refreshing your site after each activation. When the error reappears, the last activated plugin is likely the culprit.
If you cannot access the dashboard, connect to your site using FTP or File Manager and rename the /wp-content/plugins/ directory to something like /plugins_disabled/. This forces WordPress to deactivate all plugins. Check your site again. If the error disappears, restore the folder’s original name and follow the activation process above to isolate the problematic plugin.
Once identified, either update, replace, or remove the faulty plugin. Keeping plugins updated and minimizing the number installed reduces the risk of errors.
4. Switch to a Default Theme
Themes control the appearance and structure of your WordPress site, but if the active theme contains bugs, outdated code, or incompatibility with the latest WordPress or PHP versions, it may cause a 500 Internal Server Error. Custom themes with custom functions or poorly coded templates are common offenders.
To check if the theme is causing the problem, switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Three. If you can access the admin dashboard, go to Appearance → Themes, and activate a default theme. Then refresh your site. If the error disappears, your theme is the cause.
If the dashboard is inaccessible, use FTP or your hosting File Manager to rename the current theme folder inside /wp-content/themes/ (for example, append _old to the folder name). This forces WordPress to revert to a default theme automatically.
Once identified, you can update your theme, switch to a better-coded theme, or fix theme code if you have development experience. Avoid heavily customized themes from unreliable sources to minimize future risks.
5. Check File Permissions
Incorrect file or directory permissions on your WordPress installation can cause server errors like the 500 Internal Server Error. Permissions tell the server who can read, write, or execute files. If the permissions are too restrictive or too open, your web server may deny access or execution rights, causing errors.
WordPress recommends setting folder permissions to 755 and file permissions to 644. To check and fix permissions, use FTP clients like FileZilla or your hosting File Manager. Navigate through your WordPress directories and adjust permissions accordingly. Avoid using 777 permissions, as they are a security risk.
Sometimes, after migrations or manual uploads, permissions can get messed up, leading to inaccessible files or scripts that won’t run. Fixing permissions often resolves many server errors, including the 500 error. If you’re unsure, contact your hosting provider for assistance in setting correct permissions.
6. Re-upload Core WordPress Files
Corrupted or missing core WordPress files can cause the 500 Internal Server Error, especially if a recent update failed or files got damaged during transfer. To fix this, download a fresh copy of WordPress from the official website.
Extract the archive on your computer, then use FTP or your hosting File Manager to upload and overwrite the wp-admin and wp-includes folders on your site. Be careful not to overwrite the wp-content folder, as it contains your themes, plugins, and uploads.
This process replaces core files without affecting your content, plugins, or themes, which helps fix issues caused by corrupted files. After the upload, check your site again. If the error persists, you may need to explore other causes or check server settings.
7. Contact Hosting Support
If none of the above methods resolve the 500 Internal Server Error, it may be due to server-side issues such as misconfigurations, software incompatibilities, or resource limits imposed by your hosting provider. Hosting support can access detailed server logs and error messages that you can’t see from your WordPress admin or FTP.
Contact your hosting support with a clear description of the error and steps you’ve already tried. They can check PHP error logs, server settings, resource usage, and permissions to pinpoint the issue. Sometimes, upgrading your hosting plan or switching to a more compatible server environment (for example, switching PHP versions) resolves persistent errors.
Good hosting providers usually offer excellent support for such issues, so don’t hesitate to reach out when troubleshooting hits a wall.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – WordPress Internal Server Error 500
What exactly is the 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress?
The 500 Internal Server Error is a generic server error message that indicates something has gone wrong on the web server hosting your WordPress site. Unlike specific error codes, it doesn’t reveal the exact problem, making troubleshooting challenging. It can result from various issues, such as corrupted files, faulty plugins, memory limits, or server misconfigurations.
Will my website content be lost because of this error?
No. The 500 error affects how the server delivers your site but does not delete your content or database. Your posts, pages, and media remain intact. The issue lies in server-side processes or file errors that need correction.
Why can’t I see a more detailed error message?
For security reasons, WordPress and most servers hide detailed error messages from visitors. Displaying technical errors publicly could expose vulnerabilities. To see error details, you can enable WordPress debug mode or check server error logs via your hosting control panel.
How do I know if the .htaccess file is causing the 500 error?
A corrupted .htaccess file is a common cause. You can test this by renaming the .htaccess file via FTP or File Manager and then reloading your site. If the error disappears, regenerate a fresh .htaccess by visiting Settings → Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and saving changes.
Can plugins or themes cause the 500 Internal Server Error?
Yes, poorly coded or incompatible plugins and themes often cause fatal PHP errors that trigger the 500 error. Deactivating all plugins or switching to a default theme can help identify if one is responsible.
How can I prevent this error in the future?
Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated regularly, use reputable plugins, monitor server resources, and maintain backups. Avoid manual code edits unless you’re confident, and always test major changes on a staging site first.
When should I contact my hosting provider?
If you’ve tried troubleshooting but the error persists, or if you suspect server configuration or resource issues, your hosting provider can check server logs, permissions, and settings to help resolve the problem.
The 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress can be intimidating because it offers little information about what went wrong. However, most causes such as corrupted .htaccess files, plugin conflicts, memory limits, or theme issues can be identified and resolved by following a systematic troubleshooting approach. By carefully checking and resetting key components like .htaccess, increasing your PHP memory limit, disabling plugins, or switching themes, you can often get your website back online quickly without losing any content. While many WordPress users can handle these fixes themselves with some guidance, troubleshooting server errors can sometimes be complex and time-consuming, especially for beginners or non-technical site owners. If you want to avoid the hassle or fear making things worse, professional help is a smart choice.
You can take advantage of WPCodex’s expert WordPress support service to fix the Internal Server Error 500 and other common WordPress issues for just USD 30. With WPCodex, experienced developers will diagnose the problem, apply the necessary fixes, and ensure your site runs smoothly again saving you time and stress.
Remember, a healthy, error-free website is essential for maintaining your online presence and business credibility. Don’t delay fixing critical errors either follow the steps outlined or let professionals handle it efficiently.