How to Fix the 500 Internal Server Error on Your Website Print

When you encounter a 500 Internal Server Error, it’s unclear what the issue is, what caused it, or how it happened—all you know is that there’s an error that needs fixing.

This is how the 500 error appears in your browser:

How to Fix the 500 Internal Server Error

Unlike other common errors like 502 or 503, the 500 Internal Server Error may not be immediately obvious. If the error persists on your website for an extended period, it can negatively impact your site’s search engine optimization (SEO).

Possible Causes of the 500 Internal Server Error

The 500 Internal Server Error is a general server issue indicating a problem or temporary glitch in the website’s programming. Some potential causes include:

1. Corrupted or Disabled .htaccess File

2. Incorrect File or Folder Permissions

3. Faulty Third-Party Plugins or Themes

4. Exceeded PHP Memory Limit

Steps to Fix the 500 Internal Server Error on Your Website

1. Deactivate Plugins or Themes on WordPress
   A recently activated plugin or theme may conflict with your server’s configuration or other scripts. To identify the issue, carefully deactivate or uninstall plugins one by one to pinpoint the cause of the error. Start with the most recently added plugins.

   If you’re managing a WordPress site, this is straightforward:

   • From your dashboard, go to Plugins > Installed Plugins.

   • Deactivate the first plugin. If the error resolves, that plugin is the culprit.

   • If the error persists, reactivate the plugin and repeat the process for each plugin until you identify the problematic one.

   Note: Having fewer plugins on your site helps improve performance and speed.

2. Use a Debugging Plugin Like WP Debugging
   If your website is built on WordPress, install a plugin to help identify the server issue. For example, the WP Debugging plugin assists in troubleshooting and pinpointing the exact error on your site, allowing you to resolve the issue more quickly.

3. Verify Your PHP Configuration
   If the issue is related to PHP code, ensure you’re using the correct PHP version compatible with your site’s software and that the PHP Memory Limit is set appropriately for your site to function properly.

   Incorrect permissions on a file or folder containing scripts (e.g., PHP or CGI) can prevent your site from running. Check your file and folder permissions and ensure they are correctly configured on your server.

Conclusion

If you’re still facing issues with the 500 Internal Server Error, don’t hesitate to contact the BayHost support team for assistance.