WordPress 500 Internal Server Error: Complete 2025 Fix Guide

Category: Blog

Introduction

A 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress is one of the most confusing and alarming issues a website owner can encounter. Unlike other errors that provide a specific message, the 500 error is vague—it only tells you that “something went wrong” on the server. For visitors, this often means seeing a blank page or a generic server error message, making it frustrating for both users and website administrators.

This error is important to address quickly because extended downtime can negatively impact your site’s user experience, SEO rankings, and overall credibility. Every minute your site is down, you risk losing traffic, leads, and revenue.

The causes of a 500 Internal Server Error can range from small configuration mistakes to serious server problems. Understanding the underlying reasons helps you troubleshoot effectively and prevents future occurrences.

Common Causes of the 500 Internal Server Error

Several issues can trigger a 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress, often related to plugins, themes, server configuration, or resource limits:

  1. Plugin Conflicts – Installing or updating a plugin may create a conflict with other plugins or your theme. Some poorly coded plugins can introduce PHP errors that prevent WordPress from loading, resulting in a 500 error.

  2. Theme Issues – Themes control the design and functionality of your site. An outdated or corrupted theme file, or custom code added to your theme’s functions.php, can generate server errors.

  3. Corrupted .htaccess File – The .htaccess file manages how URLs are handled by your server. If this file becomes corrupted—often after a plugin installation or permalink update—it can lead to a 500 error.

  4. PHP Memory Limit Issues – WordPress requires a certain amount of server memory to run plugins, themes, and scripts. If your site exceeds the allocated PHP memory limit, it can crash the site and trigger a 500 error.

  5. Server or Hosting Problems – Sometimes the error originates from the hosting environment itself. Misconfigured servers, expired SSL certificates, or insufficient server resources can all result in a 500 Internal Server Error.

By identifying the exact cause, you can apply the correct solution—whether it’s disabling a faulty plugin, fixing the .htaccess file, increasing PHP memory, or contacting your hosting provider for server issues. Proper diagnosis ensures your WordPress website is restored safely and remains stable for the long term.

Preliminary Steps Before Fixing the 500 Internal Server Error

Before you attempt any fixes, it’s crucial to prepare your WordPress site properly. Taking these preliminary steps ensures that you don’t lose data and that troubleshooting is easier:

  1. Backup Your WordPress Site – Always start by creating a full backup of your website, including files and the database. Use a plugin like UpdraftPlus or your hosting provider’s backup tool. This ensures you can restore your site if anything goes wrong during troubleshooting.

  2. Enable WordPress Debugging – WordPress has a built-in debugging mode that can help identify the source of the error. Open your wp-config.php file and add or edit the following line:

    define('WP_DEBUG', true); define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true); define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);

    This will log errors to a debug.log file in the wp-content folder, giving you insights without displaying errors publicly.

  3. Check Server Logs – Many hosting providers give access to error logs via cPanel, Plesk, or a server control panel. Reviewing these logs can reveal PHP errors, memory issues, or other server-side problems causing the 500 error.

Fix 1: Deactivate All Plugins

Plugin conflicts are the most common cause of a 500 Internal Server Error. Deactivating all plugins helps determine whether a plugin is the culprit.

Step 1: Access WordPress Files

  • Use FTP/SFTP (via FileZilla) or your hosting file manager to access your WordPress directory.

Step 2: Rename the Plugins Folder

  • Navigate to wp-content/ and rename the plugins folder to something like plugins_backup.

  • This will deactivate all plugins instantly without accessing the WordPress dashboard.

Step 3: Test Your Website

  • Check if your site loads without the 500 error. If it does, the issue is caused by one of the plugins.

Step 4: Reactivate Plugins One by One

  • Rename the folder back to plugins and then reactivate each plugin individually from the WordPress dashboard.

  • After activating each plugin, check the site. The plugin that triggers the error is the one causing the conflict.

By systematically deactivating and testing plugins, you can quickly isolate and fix the plugin causing the 500 Internal Server Error.

Fix 2: Switch to a Default Theme

Sometimes, a theme conflict can trigger a 500 Internal Server Error. To check this:

Using the WordPress Dashboard

  1. Go to Appearance → Themes.

  2. Activate a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Five.

  3. Refresh your site to see if the error disappears.

Using FTP

  1. Access your site via FTP or hosting file manager.

  2. Navigate to wp-content/themes/.

  3. Rename your active theme’s folder (e.g., mytheme_backup).

  4. WordPress will automatically revert to a default theme if one exists.

  5. Check your site to see if the error is resolved.

Fix 3: Check and Repair the .htaccess File

A corrupted .htaccess file can often cause server errors.

  1. Locate the File – .htaccess is in your WordPress root directory.

  2. Backup and Rename – Rename it to .htaccess_backup.

  3. Create a New .htaccess – Go to Settings → Permalinks in your dashboard and click Save Changes. WordPress will generate a fresh .htaccess file with default rules.

Fix 4: Increase PHP Memory Limit

Low PHP memory can lead to a 500 error, especially with large plugins or themes.

Editing wp-config.php

  1. Open wp-config.php in your WordPress root directory.

  2. Add the following line before /* That's all, stop editing! */:

    define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

  3. Save and refresh your website.

Contact Hosting

If increasing the memory via wp-config.php doesn’t work, contact your hosting provider to raise the PHP memory limit server-side.

Fix 5: Re-upload Core WordPress Files

Corrupted core files can cause internal server errors.

  1. Download the latest WordPress package from wordpress.org.

  2. Extract the files and keep the wp-content folder separate to preserve your themes and plugins.

  3. Upload the remaining core files (everything except wp-content) to your server, replacing the existing files.

  4. Check your website to see if the error is resolved.

This process ensures you have a clean set of WordPress core files without affecting your content or settings.

Fix 6: Check File Permissions

Incorrect file or folder permissions can trigger a 500 Internal Server Error. WordPress has recommended permissions:

  • Folders: 755

  • Files: 644

How to Fix

  1. Access your site via FTP or your hosting file manager.

  2. Navigate through your WordPress directories.

  3. Right-click each folder → File Permissions → Set to 755.

  4. Right-click each file → Set permissions to 644.

  5. Ensure wp-config.php is set to 440 or 400 for extra security.

  6. Refresh your site to check if the error is resolved.

Fix 7: Contact Your Hosting Provider

Sometimes, the 500 Internal Server Error originates from the server itself, beyond WordPress. This could be caused by:

  • Server misconfiguration

  • PHP module issues

  • Resource limits

How Hosting Support Can Help

  • Examine server logs to pinpoint the issue

  • Adjust server configurations or increase resource limits

  • Restore the server environment if corrupted

Preventive Tips to Avoid Future 500 Errors

  1. Keep WordPress, Themes, and Plugins Updated – Outdated software is a common source of conflicts.

  2. Choose a Reliable Hosting Provider – Avoid servers with frequent downtime or resource limitations.

  3. Regular Backups and Monitoring – Maintain a backup schedule and monitor your website for errors to catch problems early.

Following these preventive measures reduces the likelihood of encountering 500 Internal Server Errors in the future.

Conclusion

The 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress can be frustrating, but it’s usually fixable with the right steps. Common solutions include deactivating plugins, switching themes, repairing the .htaccess file, increasing PHP memory, checking file permissions, and contacting your hosting provider for server-level issues. Staying proactive with updates, backups, and monitoring can prevent these errors from recurring.

FAQs

Is a 500 Internal Server Error the same as a broken website?
No. It means the server encountered an issue, but your website files are usually intact.

Can I fix it without technical knowledge?
Some fixes, like deactivating plugins via a dashboard, are beginner-friendly. Others, like editing .htaccess or PHP files, may require basic technical understanding or hosting support.

How long does it take to resolve the error?
It can take a few minutes for simple fixes or several hours if it involves server-level troubleshooting.

Will fixing this error affect my SEO?
Generally, no—unless your site remains down for a long time. Quick fixes minimize any negative impact on rankings.

How can I prevent it in the future?
Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated, use reliable hosting, regularly back up your site, and monitor server logs for early signs of trouble.

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