500 Internal Server Error

A 500 Internal Server Error indicates that the server encountered an unexpected issue while processing your request. Unlike a 404 error, which means a page can’t be found, a 500 error means the server was unable to complete the request due to a configuration problem, PHP error, file permission issue, or another server-side problem.

This error can affect your entire website or specific pages and is one of the most common issues website owners encounter. Fortunately, it’s usually possible to identify and resolve the problem by following the troubleshooting steps below.

Common Symptoms

If your website is experiencing a 500 Internal Server Error, you may notice one or more of the following:

• Your website displays 500 Internal Server Error.
• A blank page appears when visiting your website.
• Only certain pages return a 500 error.
• The WordPress admin area is inaccessible.
• Changes you’ve recently made no longer appear.
• Visitors are unable to access your website.
• The error occurs immediately after updating plugins, themes, or website files.

Common Causes

A 500 Internal Server Error can be triggered by several different issues, including:

• Corrupted .htaccess file.
• Incorrect file or folder permissions.
• PHP errors or incompatible PHP versions.
• Corrupted website files.
• Plugin or theme conflicts.
• PHP memory limit exhaustion.
• Resource limits being exceeded.
• Incorrect server configuration.
• Faulty custom code.

Solution 1: Check Your Website’s Error Logs

Before making changes, review your website’s error logs to identify the source of the problem.

In cPanel:

1. Open Errors under the Metrics section.
2. Look for entries that match the time the error occurred.
3. Review any PHP errors, permission issues, or missing file messages.

The error log often provides valuable information that can help pinpoint the exact cause of the problem.

Solution 2: Inspect the .htaccess File

A damaged or incorrectly configured .htaccess file is one of the most common causes of a 500 Internal Server Error.

To test this:

1. Open File Manager in cPanel.
2. Navigate to your website’s root directory.
3. Rename the .htaccess file to:

.htaccess_old

4. Reload your website.

If your website starts working, generate a new .htaccess file through your website application or recreate it manually.

Solution 3: Verify File and Folder Permissions

Incorrect permissions can prevent the web server from accessing your website files.

Use the following recommended permissions:

Folders

755

Files

644

Avoid using permission values such as 777, as they create security risks and may cause your server to reject requests.

Solution 4: Switch to a Supported PHP Version

If the error appeared after changing your PHP version or updating your website, an incompatible PHP version may be the cause.

From cPanel:

1. Open your PHP version selector.
2. Choose a supported PHP version.
3. Save your changes.
4. Test your website again.

If the website loads correctly after changing PHP versions, update your website software or plugins before switching back to a newer version.

Solution 5: Disable Recently Installed Plugins or Extensions

If the error started after installing or updating a plugin, extension, or module, it may be causing a conflict.

Temporarily disable recently added plugins and test your website.

If the error disappears, update or replace the conflicting plugin before enabling it again.

Solution 6: Check Your Website Theme

If you’re using a CMS such as WordPress, your active theme may contain incompatible code or corrupted files.

Temporarily switch to a default theme and test your website.

If the website begins working normally, update or replace your original theme.

Solution 7: Increase the PHP Memory Limit

Applications with many plugins or large amounts of data may exceed the available PHP memory.

Increasing the PHP memory limit can resolve errors caused by memory exhaustion.

If you’re unsure how to modify your PHP limits, our support team can help review your account configuration.

Solution 8: Restore Corrupted Website Files

Corrupted website files can prevent your application from loading correctly.

If you have a recent backup:

• Restore the affected files.
• Test your website again.

If no backup is available, upload a fresh copy of your application’s core files without replacing your configuration files or uploaded content.

Solution 9: Check Your Hosting Resource Usage

If your hosting account reaches its available resources, your website may begin displaying server errors.

Review your account usage and check whether you’ve reached limits such as:

• CPU usage.
• Physical memory.
• Entry processes.
• Concurrent connections.

If resource limits are being reached frequently, optimizing your website or upgrading your hosting plan may resolve the issue.

Solution 10: Need More Help?

If you’ve completed all of the troubleshooting steps above and your website is still displaying a 500 Internal Server Error, our support team is here to help.

We’ll investigate your hosting account for:

• Server error logs.
• PHP configuration issues.
• File permission problems.
• Resource limitations.
• Corrupted website files.
• Web server configuration errors.
• Recent server events that may have affected your account.

To help us troubleshoot the issue as quickly as possible, please include:

• Your domain name.
• The affected page or URL.
• A screenshot of the error message.
• The approximate time the issue first occurred.
• Any recent changes you’ve made to your website.

Our team will review your account and work with you to restore your website as quickly as possible.

Best Practices

Following these recommendations can help reduce the risk of future 500 Internal Server Errors:

• Create a full backup before making major website changes.
• Keep your website software, themes, and plugins updated.
• Use a supported PHP version.
• Avoid modifying system files unless necessary.
• Remove unused plugins and themes.
• Monitor your hosting account’s resource usage.
• Check your website’s error logs regularly.
• Test updates on a staging environment before applying them to your live website.

By following these best practices, you can minimize server-related issues and keep your website running smoothly.