Troubleshooting an HTTP 500 internal server fault is like solving a mystery.

Yous don't know what exactly happened or why it happened — all you lot know is that something'due south wrong and y'all need to fix information technology.

To guide you through the hassle of troubleshooting the dreaded HTTP 500 internal server fault, let'southward go over what it exactly ways and its nigh common causes and solutions.

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Here's what your 500 error page might look like in your browser:

screenshot of an http 500 internal server error message example

How to Fix a 500 Internal Server Error

Unlike other server-side errors like a 502 lawmaking or a 503 code, a 500 internal server fault is it doesn't immediately tell y'all what the trouble is, nor does it tell you how to set it. If the fault persists for too long on your site, information technology could fifty-fifty negatively impact your SEO.

Then, let's swoop into a few potential causes of the error. Then, we'll nowadays some solutions so yous tin can effort to fix the issue.

Potential Causes of a 500 Internal Server Error

A 500 internal server fault is, every bit the name implies, a full general problem with the website's server. More than than likely, this means there'due south an issue or temporary glitch with the website'due south programming.

Some potential causes of a 500 internal server error include:

  • Corrupted or broken .htaccess file
  • A permissions error
  • Faulty third-party plugins or themes
  • The PHP memory limit existence exceeded

Fortunately, there are a few effective solutions for fixing about of these problems.

If You're Trying to Load a Page with a 500 Internal Server Error:

1. Refresh the folio.

This might seem obvious, just if it's a temporary loading outcome, you lot might detect success if you refresh the page. Before trying anything else in this listing, reload the page and come across what happens.

2. Come up dorsum later.

Since the error is on the server side, I'm willing to bet the website owners are working as speedily every bit possible to resolve the issue. Requite it a few minutes or upwardly to an hour or so, and then reload the URL and run into if the development team has fixed the issue.

3. Delete your browser's cookies.

If clearing the browser history doesn't work, y'all might attempt deleting your browser's cookies. If the cookies are associated with the error-decumbent webpage, deleting the cookies might help reload the page.

4. Paste your URL into the website "Down for Everyone or Just Me."

Caput to downforeveryoneorjustme.com and paste in the URL where you're seeing the internal server error. Yous'll either be told that the website is but downwardly for you, or that the website is down for anybody.

the homepage of downforeveryoneorjustme.com displaying the http 500 internal error status of youtube.comIf it's a trouble with your server, this should help assuage any concerns that it's an issue with your own computer.

If the 500 Internal Server Error is on Your Own Website:

one. Deactivate a plugin or theme.

Newly activated software, add-ons, or third-political party scripts might be conflicting with your current server configuration. To determine this, try (advisedly) deactivating or uninstalling your software add-ons one at a time to identify what exactly is causing the internal server error.

If you run a WordPress website, this is easy to do with plugins. From your dashboard, cull Plugins > Installed Plugins, then deactivate the beginning plugin. If the error resolves, you know this plugin is function of the issue. Reactivate the starting time plugin, then echo this conciliate-reactivate process i at a time for all plugins to determine which ones are causing your error.

list of active plugins on a wordpress site and a deactivate button to resolve an http 500 internal server errorYou might find that having fewer active plugins on your site helps things run more smoothly.

Alternatively, if yous simply upgraded your software, your electric current plugins or themes might not be compatible with the new upgrade. Deactivating plugins or themes one at a time until the mistake disappears is the best way to find the root cause of your trouble.

2. Apply a plugin like WP Debugging to identify the consequence.

If your site is powered past WordPress and you lot're comfy with WordPress debugging processes, consider installing a plugin to assist you identify the issue with your server.

The debug plugin WP Debugging, for instance, helps you effigy out exactly what'south wrong with your site, which will result in a speedier prepare.

download page for the wp debugging plugin to help resolve the http 500 internal server error in wordpress

Image Source

3. Ensure your PHP setup is configured correctly.

If the consequence is related to a PHP timeout, consider creating timeout rules or fault handling in your script to resolve the issue. Here'south a total listing of php.ini directives to configure your PHP setup.

Additionally, wrong permissions on a file or binder that has a script, similar a PHP or CGI script, won't let the script to run. Bank check your permissions and make sure you fix them correctly on your server.

iv. Check the code for your site's .htaccess file.

Incorrect coding or improper structure with your .htaccess file could be the reason you're seeing the 500 internal error. The .htaccess file helps you manage how long resources should exist stored in a browser'south cache. Try editing the file if you're seeing a 500 internal server fault.

To locate your .htaccess file, access your website files through a file manager like cPanel or via FTP/SFTP. The file will probably exist located in your public_html directory. There'south a good take chances your server will hide this file from view past default and you'll need to toggle hidden files on to encounter information technology.

a server file directory highlighting the htaccess file to resolve the http 500 internal server error

Epitome Source

Coding errors in .htaccess and custom scripts can also crusade an HTTP 500 internal server error.

5. Ensure your new software is installed correctly.

Finally, cheque to run into if your recently installed or upgraded software really failed to install or upgrade. To refresh your software, check the vendor's website for instructions.

How to fix a 500 internal server error

Last Resort: Ask a Server Ambassador for Help

If troubleshooting popular software bug or debugging server-side scripts doesn't set your HTTP 500 internal server error, you should read about the well-nigh common causes for this blazon of issue in your server'southward documentation — an HTTP 500 internal server mistake can occur in unlike operating systems for a multitude of reasons.

You tin also ask your service provider to access your mistake logs and find prove for the root cause of your problem.

Internal server errors are irritating considering they're unhelpful — it'due south basically the web server's way of saying, "Eh, I'thou not certain." Hopefully, one of the in a higher place steps volition resolve the problem so you tin can get back to life every bit usual.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in October 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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Originally published Jul 29, 2021 1:00:00 PM, updated July 29 2021