HTTP 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress

If you are among the users of a WordPress website, it is not unheard of for you to experience an error code of HTTP 500, which stands for "Internal Server." As a premium server management company that offers assistance for server support around the clock, our team frequently fields questions about how to resolve the HTTP 500 internal server error that occurs in WordPress.

In this article, we will discuss some approaches that can be taken to investigate and fix the problem. This blog was written with you in mind if you are one of the many people who are experiencing the same challenge right now. Let's take a quick look at what the HTTP 500 internal server error is and why it occurs before we move on to the troubleshooting steps.

What is HTTP 500 Internal Server Error?

If the server runs into problems while attempting to bring the page that was requested by the user, the server will generate an error. These common errors may also be brought on by certain scripts that are a part of the WordPress theme or plugin that you are using. As a result, this may also be regarded as a challenge associated with the application. To put it simply, there won't be any indicators of this kind to help figure out what went wrong.

The following is a list of some of the more common causes of the HTTP 500 error on an internal server:

• Theme or plugin that is faulty

• Incompatible PHP versions

• Memory restrictions for PHP

• .htaccess file that is corrupted

You may only experience the HTTP 500 error on your browser, but this should not be considered a major problem. Check to see if other people using your site are experiencing the same issue before moving on to the next step in the troubleshooting process. Before moving on to the section that explains how to fix the HTTP 500 internal server error, please take a moment to consider the following points.

Things to think about before attempting to fix the HTTP 500 error:

• Simply refreshing the page may be all that's needed to get the error fixed in your browser. Even though it might not make sense, the error can sometimes occur because your server is temporarily overloaded with requests. Simply refreshing the page will ensure that the website continues to function normally.

• Restoring from a backup is a method that is recommended because it can return your website to a state where it is operational. It is highly recommended that you restore all of your data from a backup copy of your website if you have one. Continue with the steps on how to fix a 500 HTTP internal server error after you have completed your restoration and discovered that the error has not been resolved.

How to fix 500 HTTP internal server errors?

• Changing themes and deactivating plugins

You could try deactivating all plugins and then activating the default theme that comes with WordPress to fix the HTTP 500 error. Double-check to make sure there are no problems with the way your website operates. If attempting this solution fixes the issue, the issue was likely caused by the theme you most recently installed.

This occurs when you run your website using plugins and themes that are not compatible with each other, which can even lead to security risks. You can try turning off the plugins one by one by deactivating them all. Similarly, you can activate the new plugins to simplify the process of locating the plugin that is causing the problem.

• Increasing PHP memory limit

Memory drop is one of the potential causes of the HTTP 500 error that can occur. You can fix the problem by increasing the amount of memory that PHP can use above the standard limit. Open wp-config.php in the root directory for this. Right-clicking the file you downloaded will bring up a menu where you can enter the code.

define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ’64M’)

This approach has the potential to solve the problem temporarily. If you are still experiencing problems after increasing the memory limit for PHP, you can seek assistance from the company that handles the server support for your website.

• .htaccess file check

One of the causes of the HTTP 500 internal server error is a file in the.htaccess directory that has become corrupted. Follow these steps to see if you can find a solution to the problem.

• Establish a connection to the cPanel account.

• Proceed to the File Manager and choose the public html folder.

• Locate the file that ends in.htaccess.

• Rename the file, then save the changes.

Check your WordPress site once you've finished the steps in this guide to ensure that the problem has been resolved.

• Update PHP version

A website cannot function properly without the use of the programming language known as PHP. Regular updates to the PHP version should be performed because it can perform additional tasks both on the front end and the back end. An HTTP 500 error might appear on your website if it is powered by WordPress but does not have the most recent version of PHP. Therefore, to solve this problem, check the version of PHP by carrying out the following steps:

• Access the cPanel account.

• Navigate to phpMyAdmin

• Verify the version of PHP you're using.

Make sure that the most recent version is being used on your website. Bringing your site up to date with the latest version can not only fix HTTP issues but can also make it more secure.