How To Fix “wordpress Error 500

If you’ve ever encountered the frustrating “WordPress Error 500,” you’re not alone. This common issue can leave website owners feeling stressed and unsure of how to proceed. However, there’s no need to worry! In this article, we will explain what the WordPress Error 500 is and provide you with simple steps to fix it. By following our guide, you’ll be able to quickly resolve this error and get your WordPress site back up and running smoothly.

1. Update Themes and Plugins

One of the common causes of the “WordPress Error 500” is outdated themes and plugins. When your WordPress site encounters an internal server error, it’s crucial to ensure that all your themes and plugins are updated to their latest versions. Updates often include bug fixes and compatibility improvements, which can resolve the issue causing the error.

To update your themes and plugins, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Navigate to the “Themes” and “Plugins” sections.
3. Check for available updates for each theme and plugin.
4. Update all themes and plugins to their latest versions.

After updating, refresh your website and check if the “WordPress Error 500” is resolved. If not, proceed to the next steps to troubleshoot further.

2. Check File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions can also trigger the “WordPress Error 500.” It’s essential to ensure that the file permissions are set correctly to allow WordPress to function seamlessly. Incorrect file permissions can hinder the server from accessing and executing certain files, leading to the error.

To check and set the correct file permissions, follow these instructions:

1. Connect to your website using a FTP client or a file manager provided by your web hosting provider.
2. Locate the WordPress installation directory.
3. Right-click on the directory and select “File Permissions” or “Change Permissions.”
4. Set the numeric value to 755 for directories and 644 for files.
5. Apply the changes and check if the error is resolved.

By correctly setting the file permissions, you ensure that the server can access the required files, potentially resolving the “WordPress Error 500.”

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3. Increase PHP Memory Limit

Insufficient PHP memory limit is another possible cause of the “WordPress Error 500.” If your website exceeds the allocated memory limit, it may result in the internal server error. Increasing the memory limit allows WordPress and its plugins to function properly without exhausting the available resources.

To increase the PHP memory limit, you can follow these steps:

1. Access your WordPress root directory using a FTP client or file manager.
2. Locate the wp-config.php file and download it to your computer.
3. Open the wp-config.php file using a text editor.
4. Find the line that says define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '64M');.
5. Increase the memory limit value to a higher value, such as 128M.
6. Save the changes and upload the modified wp-config.php file back to the server.

The increased PHP memory limit provides more resources for WordPress to operate, potentially resolving the “WordPress Error 500.”

4. Deactivate Other Plugins

Conflicts between plugins can also lead to the “WordPress Error 500.” To identify if a particular plugin is causing the error, it is recommended to deactivate all plugins and then reactivate them one by one, checking for the error after each activation.

To deactivate plugins, follow these steps:

1. Login to your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Navigate to the “Plugins” section.
3. Select all the installed plugins and choose the “Deactivate” option from the Bulk Actions dropdown menu.
4. Refresh your website and check if the error is resolved.

If the “WordPress Error 500” ceases to appear after deactivating all the plugins, gradually reactivate them one by one, checking for the error after each activation. This process helps identify the specific plugin causing the conflict.

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5. Disable Custom Functions

If you have added any custom functions to your theme’s functions.php file, they may be the culprit behind the “WordPress Error 500.” Custom functions that contain errors or conflicts can trigger the internal server error.

To disable custom functions, follow these steps:

1. Connect to your website using a FTP client or file manager.
2. Locate your theme’s directory within the WordPress installation directory.
3. Open the functions.php file using a text editor.
4. Comment out or remove any custom functions that you have added.
5. Save the changes and upload the modified functions.php file back to the server.

By disabling custom functions, you eliminate the possibility of these functions causing conflicts and triggering the “WordPress Error 500.”

6. Switch to Default Theme

In some cases, a poorly coded or incompatible theme can result in the “WordPress Error 500.” To identify if the theme is responsible, temporarily switch to the default WordPress theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-One) and check if the error persists.

To switch to the default theme, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Go to the “Appearance” section and click on “Themes.”
3. Activate the default WordPress theme, such as Twenty Twenty-One.
4. Visit your website and check if the error is resolved.

If the “WordPress Error 500” disappears after switching to the default theme, it indicates that the previous theme was the cause of the error. You may need to troubleshoot and update the theme or consider using an alternative one.

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7. Check PHP Version Compatibility

Using an outdated PHP version can also trigger the “WordPress Error 500.” It is essential to ensure that your web hosting provider supports the minimum recommended PHP version for your WordPress installation. Upgrading to a compatible PHP version can often resolve the internal server error.

To check and update PHP version compatibility, follow these steps:

1. Contact your web hosting provider and inquire about the PHP version you are currently using.
2. Confirm the minimum recommended PHP version for your WordPress installation (check WordPress.org for the latest recommendations).
3. If your PHP version is outdated, request your hosting provider to upgrade it to the compatible version.

By ensuring your PHP version is up to date, you eliminate one potential cause of the “WordPress Error 500.”

8. Fix Corrupted .htaccess File

An incorrect or corrupted .htaccess file can contribute to the “WordPress Error 500.” This configuration file is responsible for various server settings and permalink structures. If the .htaccess file contains incorrect settings or becomes corrupted, it can cause the internal server error.

To fix a corrupted .htaccess file, follow these steps:

1. Connect to your website using a FTP client or file manager.
2. Locate the WordPress installation directory.
3. Find the .htaccess file and rename it to something like .htaccess.bak.
4. Refresh your website and check if the error is resolved.

WordPress automatically generates a new .htaccess file with default settings. If the error is fixed, you can then proceed to update the permalink structure if necessary.

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9. Enable Debugging Mode

Enabling debugging mode can provide you with more specific error messages, helping identify the root cause of the “WordPress Error 500.” By default, WordPress suppresses error messages to prevent sensitive information from being disclosed. However, enabling debugging mode allows you to view detailed information that can assist in troubleshooting.

To enable debugging mode, follow these steps:

1. Connect to your website using a FTP client or file manager.
2. Locate the WordPress installation directory.
3. Open the wp-config.php file using a text editor.
4. Find the line that says define('WP_DEBUG', false);.
5. Change the value from false to true: define('WP_DEBUG', true);.
6. Save the changes and upload the modified wp-config.php file back to the server.

Enabling debugging mode can reveal any PHP errors or warnings that might help diagnose the cause of the “WordPress Error 500.”

10. Contact Your Web Hosting Provider

If you have followed all the steps above and the “WordPress Error 500” still persists, it’s time to reach out to your web hosting provider for assistance. Internal server errors can sometimes be caused by server-side issues that require their attention and expertise.

When contacting your hosting provider, make sure to provide them with detailed information about the error, the steps you have already taken to resolve it, and any error messages you have encountered. This will help them troubleshoot the issue more efficiently and provide you with the necessary support to fix the error.

In conclusion, encountering the “WordPress Error 500” can be frustrating, but it is not insurmountable. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve the internal server error, ensuring your WordPress site is up and running smoothly again.