Troubleshooting an HTTP 500 internal server fault is like solving a mystery.

You don't know what exactly happened or why it happened — all yous know is that something'due south incorrect and you need to gear up information technology.

To guide you lot through the hassle of troubleshooting the dreaded HTTP 500 internal server error, let's become over what it exactly means and its nearly common causes and solutions.

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Here's what your 500 error folio might look like in your browser:

screenshot of an http 500 internal server error message example

How to Fix a 500 Internal Server Error

Different other server-side errors similar a 502 code or a 503 code, a 500 internal server error is it doesn't immediately tell you what the problem is, nor does it tell you how to ready it. If the fault persists for too long on your site, it could even negatively bear on your SEO.

And then, allow's dive into a few potential causes of the fault. And then, we'll present some solutions and then you tin can try to ready the issue.

Potential Causes of a 500 Internal Server Fault

A 500 internal server error is, equally the name implies, a general problem with the website's server. More than than likely, this means there's an issue or temporary glitch with the website's programming.

Some potential causes of a 500 internal server error include:

  • Corrupted or cleaved .htaccess file
  • A permissions error
  • Faulty third-political party plugins or themes
  • The PHP memory limit existence exceeded

Fortunately, there are a few effective solutions for fixing nigh of these issues.

If Yous're Trying to Load a Page with a 500 Internal Server Error:

1. Refresh the page.

This might seem obvious, only if it's a temporary loading effect, you might detect success if you refresh the page. Before trying anything else in this list, reload the page and see what happens.

2. Come back later.

Since the error is on the server side, I'm willing to bet the website owners are working every bit quickly equally possible to resolve the issue. Give information technology a few minutes or up to an 60 minutes or so, and then reload the URL and run into if the evolution squad has fixed the result.

three. Delete your browser'due south cookies.

If clearing the browser history doesn't work, you might attempt deleting your browser's cookies. If the cookies are associated with the error-prone webpage, deleting the cookies might assist reload the page.

4. Paste your URL into the website "Down for Anybody or Just Me."

Head to downforeveryoneorjustme.com and paste in the URL where you're seeing the internal server error. You lot'll either be told that the website is only downwards for you lot, or that the website is down for everyone.

the homepage of downforeveryoneorjustme.com displaying the http 500 internal error status of youtube.comIf it's a problem with your server, this should assist assuage any concerns that it's an issue with your ain computer.

If the 500 Internal Server Mistake is on Your Own Website:

i. Deactivate a plugin or theme.

Newly activated software, add-ons, or third-political party scripts might exist conflicting with your electric current server configuration. To determine this, try (carefully) deactivating or uninstalling your software add-ons one at a time to identify what exactly is causing the internal server error.

If you run a WordPress website, this is piece of cake to do with plugins. From your dashboard, choose Plugins > Installed Plugins, then conciliate the first plugin. If the error resolves, y'all know this plugin is part of the issue. Reactivate the first plugin, so repeat this conciliate-reactivate process one at a time for all plugins to determine which ones are causing your error.

list of active plugins on a wordpress site and a deactivate button to resolve an http 500 internal server errorYou might find that having fewer active plugins on your site helps things run more smoothly.

Alternatively, if yous just upgraded your software, your electric current plugins or themes might not be compatible with the new upgrade. Deactivating plugins or themes 1 at a fourth dimension until the error disappears is the best mode to discover the root cause of your problem.

ii. Use a plugin similar WP Debugging to identify the outcome.

If your site is powered past WordPress and you're comfortable with WordPress debugging processes, consider installing a plugin to help you identify the issue with your server.

The debug plugin WP Debugging, for case, helps you figure out exactly what's incorrect with your site, which volition result in a speedier fix.

download page for the wp debugging plugin to help resolve the http 500 internal server error in wordpress

Image Source

3. Ensure your PHP setup is configured correctly.

If the upshot is related to a PHP timeout, consider creating timeout rules or error handling in your script to resolve the upshot. Here's a full listing of php.ini directives to configure your PHP setup.

Additionally, wrong permissions on a file or folder that has a script, like a PHP or CGI script, won't allow the script to run. Cheque your permissions and make certain you set them correctly on your server.

4. Check the lawmaking for your site'southward .htaccess file.

Incorrect coding or improper construction with your .htaccess file could be the reason you're seeing the 500 internal error. The .htaccess file helps you manage how long resources should exist stored in a browser'south cache. Effort editing the file if yous're seeing a 500 internal server fault.

To locate your .htaccess file, admission your website files through a file director like cPanel or via FTP/SFTP. The file will probably be located in your public_html directory. In that location's a good hazard your server will hibernate this file from view by default and y'all'll need to toggle hidden files on to meet information technology.

a server file directory highlighting the htaccess file to resolve the http 500 internal server error

Epitome Source

Coding errors in .htaccess and custom scripts tin can also cause an HTTP 500 internal server error.

5. Ensure your new software is installed correctly.

Finally, check to see if your recently installed or upgraded software actually failed to install or upgrade. To refresh your software, bank check the vendor'south website for instructions.

How to fix a 500 internal server error

Terminal Resort: Ask a Server Administrator for Help

If troubleshooting pop software issues or debugging server-side scripts doesn't fix your HTTP 500 internal server error, you lot should read about the most common causes for this blazon of outcome in your server's documentation — an HTTP 500 internal server fault tin can occur in unlike operating systems for a multitude of reasons.

You can also ask your service provider to access your error logs and detect evidence for the root cause of your problem.

Internal server errors are irritating because they're unhelpful — it's basically the web server'due south way of saying, "Eh, I'yard not sure." Hopefully, one of the above steps volition resolve the problem so you can get back to life as usual.

Editor'due south note: This post was originally published in Oct 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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Originally published Jul 29, 2021 1:00:00 PM, updated July 29 2021