How to Fix the HTTP Error 500 in WordPress for Beginners

The HTTP 500 error, also known as the “Internal Server Error,” is one of the most common issues WordPress users face. It can occur for various reasons, ranging from corrupted files to server misconfigurations. Fortunately, resolving it is often straightforward with some troubleshooting.

This guide provides a beginner-friendly approach to identifying and fixing the HTTP 500 error on your WordPress site.

What Is the HTTP 500 Error?

Definition

The HTTP 500 error is a general server-side error that indicates something has gone wrong, but the server cannot specify the exact issue.

Common Symptoms

• A blank screen with “500 Internal Server Error.”
• Inability to access the WordPress dashboard.
• Error logs indicating server-related issues.

Common Causes of the HTTP 500 Error

1. Corrupted .htaccess File:
   • Misconfigured rules in the .htaccess file can cause server errors.
2. Plugin or Theme Conflicts:
   • Incompatible or poorly coded plugins/themes can trigger the error.
3. PHP Memory Limit Exceeded:
   • Insufficient server memory for running scripts.
4. Corrupted WordPress Core Files:
   • Updates or file modifications can lead to corrupted core files.
5. Server Misconfigurations:
   • Hosting-related issues or incorrect server settings.

Step 1: Back Up Your Website

Before troubleshooting, always back up your website to prevent data loss.

How to Backup

1. Use a Plugin:
   • Install plugins like UpdraftPlus or All-in-One WP Migration.
2. Manual Backup:
   • Use cPanel or an FTP client to download your site’s files and database.

Step 2: Check the .htaccess File

The .htaccess file is often the culprit behind the HTTP 500 error.

Steps to Fix

1. Access your site’s root directory using FTP or cPanel.
2. Locate the .htaccess file and rename it to .htaccess_old.
3. Refresh your website to see if the error is resolved.
4. If resolved, log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Settings > Permalinks.
5. Click Save Changes to regenerate the .htaccess file.

Step 3: Deactivate Plugins

Incompatible plugins can often cause the HTTP 500 error.

Steps to Troubleshoot

1. Access your site’s wp-content folder using FTP or cPanel.
2. Rename the plugins folder to plugins_old to deactivate all plugins.
3. Refresh your site to check if the error is resolved.
4. If resolved, rename the folder back to plugins and reactivate plugins one by one to identify the problematic plugin.

Step 4: Switch to a Default Theme

A corrupted or incompatible theme can also trigger the error.

How to Switch Themes

1. Access the wp-content/themes folder using FTP or cPanel.
2. Rename your active theme’s folder (e.g., mytheme to mytheme_old).
3. WordPress will automatically switch to a default theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-Three).
4. Check if the error is resolved.

Step 5: Increase the PHP Memory Limit

Low memory limits can lead to HTTP 500 errors, especially on shared hosting.

How to Increase Memory Limit

• Edit the wp-config.php file in your site’s root directory.
• Add the following code:

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

• Save the file and refresh your site.

Step 6: Reinstall Core WordPress Files

Corrupted core files can be replaced to fix the issue.

Steps to Reinstall

1. Download the latest version of WordPress from wordpress.org.
2. Extract the files and upload everything except the wp-content folder to your server.
3. Overwrite existing files when prompted.
4. Refresh your site to check if the error is resolved.

Step 7: Check Server Error Logs

Server error logs provide insights into the cause of the HTTP 500 error.

How to Access Logs

1. Log in to your hosting control panel.
2. Navigate to the Logs or Error Logs section.
3. Look for recent error messages to identify the issue.

Common Errors and Fixes

• Exceeded memory limit:
  • Increase PHP memory as shown earlier.
• File permission issues:
  • Ensure files are set to 644 and folders to 755 permissions.

Step 8: Contact Your Hosting Provider

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, contact your hosting provider for assistance. They can:

• Check server settings.
• Identify misconfigurations.
• Provide solutions for hosting-specific problems.

Conclusion

The HTTP 500 error in WordPress can be intimidating, but with systematic troubleshooting, it’s usually easy to fix. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can identify and resolve the issue while keeping your site safe and functional.

Start troubleshooting today and restore your WordPress site to optimal performance!