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How to Fix Internal Server Error 500 WordPress

The internal server error 500 in WordPress is a common but frustrating issue that prevents your site from loading. This guide walks you through practical, beginner-friendly steps to diagnose and resolve the error quickly—without needing coding expertise.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your .htaccess file: A corrupted or misconfigured .htaccess file is one of the most common causes of a 500 error. Resetting it can often fix the issue immediately.
  • Deactivate all plugins: Conflicting or outdated plugins frequently trigger server errors. Deactivating them helps identify the culprit.
  • Switch to a default theme: Theme-related code issues can cause 500 errors. Temporarily switching to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four can help isolate the problem.
  • Increase PHP memory limit: Insufficient memory can lead to server crashes. Raising the memory limit in wp-config.php may resolve the error.
  • Review server error logs: Your hosting provider’s error logs provide detailed clues about what’s causing the 500 error. Always check them for specific error messages.
  • Contact your hosting provider: If all else fails, the issue may be server-side. Reach out to your host for assistance—they can often restore functionality quickly.

What Is an Internal Server Error 500 in WordPress?

An Internal Server Error 500 is a generic HTTP status code that means something has gone wrong on the server, but the server can’t pinpoint the exact issue. Unlike a 404 error (which tells you a page is missing), a 500 error gives no specific details—just that the server failed to fulfill your request.

This error can appear on any page of your WordPress site and usually results in a blank white screen or a message like “Internal Server Error” or “500 – Internal Server Error.” It’s one of the most common WordPress errors, and while it can be alarming, it’s almost always fixable with the right steps.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to diagnose and resolve a 500 error in WordPress using safe, proven methods—even if you’re not a developer.

Step 1: Check Your .htaccess File

The .htaccess file controls how your server handles requests and rewrites URLs. If this file becomes corrupted—often after a plugin update or theme change—it can trigger a 500 error.

How to Reset Your .htaccess File

  1. Log in to your hosting account via FTP or your host’s File Manager (cPanel, Plesk, etc.).
  2. Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation (usually public_html or a subfolder).
  3. Look for a file named .htaccess. If you don’t see it, make sure hidden files are visible in your FTP client or file manager.
  4. Rename the current .htaccess file to .htaccess_old as a backup.
  5. Create a new file named .htaccess and paste the default WordPress rules:
    # BEGIN WordPress

RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]

# END WordPress
  6. Save the file and reload your website. If the error is gone, the issue was with your .htaccess file.

Tip: Always back up your site before making changes. If something goes wrong, you can restore the original file.

Step 2: Deactivate All Plugins

Plugins are a frequent cause of 500 errors—especially after updates or when incompatible plugins are installed together. To test if a plugin is the culprit, you’ll need to deactivate them all.

How to Deactivate Plugins When You Can’t Access the Dashboard

  1. Use FTP or your hosting file manager to access your site.
  2. Go to wp-content/plugins.
  3. Rename the plugins folder to plugins_old.
  4. This effectively deactivates all plugins at once.
  5. Reload your site. If it loads, a plugin was causing the error.
  6. Now, rename the folder back to plugins.
  7. Reactivate plugins one by one, checking your site after each activation to find the problematic one.

Once you identify the faulty plugin, either update it, replace it, or contact the developer for support. If you’re unsure which plugin caused the issue, consider using a plugin like WP Reset to safely test your site—learn more in our guide on how to use WP Reset plugin.

Step 3: Switch to a Default WordPress Theme

Sometimes, a theme’s functions.php file or custom code can cause a 500 error—especially after a theme update or if the theme is poorly coded.

How to Switch Themes Without Dashboard Access

  1. Use FTP or your file manager to go to wp-content/themes.
  2. Find your current active theme folder (e.g., my-custom-theme).
  3. Rename it to my-custom-theme_old.
  4. WordPress will automatically fall back to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four.
  5. Reload your site. If it works, the issue was with your theme.

If the error disappears, you can either reinstall a clean version of your theme or contact the theme developer. For help managing themes safely, check out our guide on how to deactivate a theme in WordPress.

Step 4: Increase PHP Memory Limit

WordPress may run out of memory during heavy operations (like plugin updates or importing content), leading to a 500 error. Increasing the PHP memory limit can resolve this.

How to Increase Memory Limit

  1. Open your wp-config.php file (in the root directory).
  2. Add this line just above the comment that says “That’s all, stop editing!”:
    define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
  3. Save the file and reload your site.

If your host allows it, you can also increase memory via php.ini or .user.ini by adding:

memory_limit = 256M

Not all hosts allow this, so check with your provider if the change doesn’t take effect.

Step 5: Check Server Error Logs

Your hosting provider keeps detailed logs of server errors. These logs often reveal the exact file or script causing the 500 error.

How to Access Error Logs

  1. Log in to your hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel).
  2. Look for a section called Error Logs, Logs, or Advanced.
  3. Download or view the latest error log file.
  4. Look for entries around the time you saw the 500 error. Common clues include:
    • “PHP Fatal error”
    • “Allowed memory size exhausted”
    • “syntax error, unexpected”

For example, if you see an error pointing to functions.php in your theme, that confirms a theme issue. Use this info to target your fix.

Step 6: Restore from Backup

If none of the above steps work, restoring from a recent backup is often the fastest solution—especially if the error appeared after an update or change.

Most quality hosting providers offer one-click restore options. Alternatively, use a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus to roll back your site to a working state.

Pro Tip: Always keep regular backups. A good backup strategy can save hours of troubleshooting.

Step 7: Contact Your Hosting Provider

If you’ve tried everything and the 500 error persists, the issue may be server-related—such as a misconfigured PHP version, server overload, or permission issues.

Contact your hosting support team and provide:

  • The exact time the error occurred
  • Steps you’ve already tried
  • Any error messages from logs

They can check server-side configurations and often resolve the issue within minutes.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Clear your browser cache: Sometimes, cached pages show old errors. Try loading your site in incognito mode.
  • Test on another device or network: Rule out local connectivity issues.
  • Disable CDN temporarily: If you use Cloudflare or another CDN, pause it to see if it’s causing the issue.
  • Check file permissions: Incorrect permissions on core files can cause 500 errors. Set directories to 755 and files to 644.

Conclusion

The Internal Server Error 500 in WordPress is frustrating, but it’s rarely permanent. By methodically checking your .htaccess file, plugins, themes, memory limits, and server logs, you can usually identify and fix the root cause quickly.

Remember: always back up your site before making changes, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your host if you’re stuck. With the steps in this guide, you’ll be back online in no time.