Internal Server Error (500) in WordPress Solution

A 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress is one of the most common yet frustrating problems for website owners. It can suddenly appear without any warning, leaving your website inaccessible. The good news is that this issue is fixable — and in this post, Digipixeline will guide you through step-by-step solutions to resolve it easily.

What is a 500 Internal Server Error?

A 500 Internal Server Error is a generic message that means something went wrong on the server, but the system can’t identify exactly what.
It doesn’t tell you the exact cause, but the problem usually lies in:

• Corrupt .htaccess file
• Plugin or theme conflict
• PHP memory limit issue
• Server configuration problems
• WordPress core file errors

Step 1: Check for Corrupted .htaccess File

The .htaccess file is one of the most common reasons behind this error.

How to fix:

1. Log in to your hosting control panel or use FTP.
2. Find the .htaccess file in your website’s root folder.
3. Rename it to .htaccess_old.
4. Now, go to your WordPress dashboard → Settings → Permalinks → Save Changes.
5. This will generate a new .htaccess file automatically.

If your website starts working again — great! The problem was in your .htaccess file.

Step 2: Increase Your PHP Memory Limit

If your website consumes too much memory, it can cause a 500 error.

How to increase memory limit:

• Access your WordPress files using FTP or File Manager.
• Open the wp-config.php file.
• Add this line just before “That’s all, stop editing! and save the file and refresh your website.

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

If the site works, the issue was insufficient PHP memory.

Step 3: Deactivate All Plugins

Sometimes, a faulty plugin can break your site.

How to test:

1. Go to your wp-content folder → rename the plugins folder to plugins_old.
2. Visit your site — if it works, one of your plugins is the culprit.
3. Rename the folder back to plugins and reactivate each plugin one by one.
4. Once you find the faulty plugin, remove or replace it.

Step 4: Switch to Default WordPress Theme

If plugins aren’t the problem, your theme might be.

How to check:

1. Go to your hosting control panel or database.
2. Change your theme to a default one (like Twenty Twenty-Five).
3. If your website loads correctly, your theme caused the issue.

In that case, reinstall or update your theme, or contact the developer for support.

Step 5: Reupload Core WordPress Files

If none of the above work, your core files might be corrupted.

Steps to fix:

1. Download a fresh copy of WordPress from wordpress.org.
2. Unzip the folder on your computer.
3. Using FTP, upload the wp-admin and wp-includes folders to your website root.
4. Replace the old files when prompted.
   (Note: This won’t affect your content or plugins.)

Step 6: Check Server Configuration or Contact Hosting

If you’ve tried everything and the error still appears, the issue may lie with your web hosting provider.
Sometimes, server configuration, PHP version conflicts, or permission errors cause the 500 error.

Contact your hosting provider and share the error details. They can check the server logs and help resolve it quickly.

Preventing Future 500 Errors

To avoid this issue in the future:

• Always update WordPress, plugins, and themes regularly.
• Keep a recent backup of your website.
• Avoid installing too many plugins.
• Monitor your site’s performance and server health.
• Use a reliable hosting provider.

Conclusion

A 500 Internal Server Error can be scary, but with the right steps, it’s easy to fix.
By checking your .htaccess file, increasing PHP memory, testing plugins, and verifying your theme — you can get your website back online in minutes.

If you ever face such issues and need professional help, the Digipixeline team is always here to assist. We specialize in WordPress maintenance, troubleshooting, and optimization to keep your site running smoothly.

Need Help?
Contact Digipixeline — your trusted WordPress experts for website care, speed, and security.