Introduction

A 500 Internal Server Error on your WordPress site can be intimidating. It doesn’t give much detail, and to visitors, it looks like your entire website is broken. But don’t worry — this is one of the most common errors in WordPress, and it can usually be fixed quickly with the right steps.

What Is a 500 Internal Server Error?

This error means something has gone wrong on the server, but the server isn’t sure what. It’s a generic error that often points to a problem with your site’s configuration, plugins, themes, or server resources.

Common Causes of WordPress 500 Errors

• Corrupted .htaccess file
• PHP memory limit exhausted
• Faulty plugin or theme
• Server misconfiguration
• Permission errors on files or folders
• Broken WordPress core files

How to Fix the 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress

1. Backup Your Site First

Before making any changes, use a backup plugin or your hosting panel to create a full backup.

2. Check for a Corrupted .htaccess File

• Use FTP or File Manager to access your root directory
• Rename the .htaccess file to .htaccess_old
• Go to Settings → Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and click Save Changes
  This will regenerate the file automatically.

3. Increase the PHP Memory Limit

• Create or edit the wp-config.php file
• Add the following line before the final ?>:

define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);

• You can also increase the memory limit in your php.ini or .htaccess if allowed by your host

4. Deactivate All Plugins

• Via FTP, go to /wp-content/ and rename the plugins folder to plugins-old
• If the site loads, a plugin was the cause. Rename the folder back and reactivate plugins one by one

5. Switch to a Default Theme

• Go to Appearance → Themes
• Activate a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four
• If your site works now, your original theme is likely causing the error

6. Enable Debug Mode

• Edit wp-config.php and add the following:

define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true);
define(‘WP_DEBUG_LOG’, true);
define(‘WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY’, false);

• Visit the error page and check wp-content/debug.log for specific error messages

7. Check File & Folder Permissions

• Folders should be set to 755, and files to 644
• Incorrect permissions can lead to server errors

8. Re-upload Core WordPress Files

• Download a fresh copy of WordPress from wordpress.org
• Replace the wp-admin and wp-includes folders via FTP
• Do not replace the wp-content folder or wp-config.php file