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

You don't know what exactly happened or why information technology happened — all you know is that something's wrong and you need to set it.

To guide you through the hassle of troubleshooting the dreaded HTTP 500 internal server mistake, let'due south go over what it exactly means and its near mutual causes and solutions.

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What is an HTTP 500 internal server error?

An HTTP 500 internal server error means your spider web server is experiencing bug, simply information technology can't pinpoint the specific error or its root causes. When this happens, your website will serve upward a general internal server error web folio to your site's visitors.

Here's what your 500 error page might look similar in your browser:

screenshot of an http 500 internal server error message example

How to Fix a 500 Internal Server Fault

Different other server-side errors like a 502 code or a 503 lawmaking, a 500 internal server error is information technology doesn't immediately tell yous what the problem is, nor does it tell yous how to fix information technology. If the error persists for too long on your site, it could even negatively impact your SEO.

So, let's swoop into a few potential causes of the mistake. And so, we'll nowadays some solutions so y'all can try to prepare the issue.

Potential Causes of a 500 Internal Server Error

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

Some potential causes of a 500 internal server mistake include:

  • Corrupted or broken .htaccess file
  • A permissions error
  • Faulty third-party plugins or themes
  • The PHP retention limit being exceeded

Fortunately, there are a few effective solutions for fixing well-nigh of these problems.

If Y'all're Trying to Load a Page with a 500 Internal Server Fault:

1. Refresh the folio.

This might seem obvious, just if it's a temporary loading upshot, you might detect success if yous refresh the page. Before trying anything else in this list, reload the page and come across what happens.

2. Come up back later.

Since the error is on the server side, I'm willing to bet the website owners are working equally quickly equally possible to resolve the issue. Give it a few minutes or upwards to an hour or so, and then reload the URL and see if the development squad has stock-still the result.

3. Delete your browser's cookies.

If clearing the browser history doesn't work, y'all might attempt deleting your browser's cookies. If the cookies are associated with the fault-prone webpage, deleting the cookies might help reload the folio.

4. Paste your URL into the website "Down for Everyone or Simply Me."

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

the homepage of downforeveryoneorjustme.com displaying the http 500 internal error status of youtube.comIf information technology's a trouble with your server, this should help assuage any concerns that it's an issue with your own computer.

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

ane. Deactivate a plugin or theme.

Newly activated software, add together-ons, or third-party scripts might exist alien with your current server configuration. To determine this, endeavour (carefully) deactivating or uninstalling your software add together-ons one at a fourth dimension to identify what exactly is causing the internal server mistake.

If you run a WordPress website, this is like shooting fish in a barrel to practice with plugins. From your dashboard, choose Plugins > Installed Plugins, then deactivate the first plugin. If the fault resolves, you lot know this plugin is part of the issue. Reactivate the first plugin, then repeat this deactivate-reactivate process one at a time for all plugins to make up one's mind 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 than smoothly.

Alternatively, if yous just upgraded your software, your current plugins or themes might non be compatible with the new upgrade. Deactivating plugins or themes i at a time until the mistake disappears is the all-time manner to find the root crusade of your problem.

2. Use a plugin similar WP Debugging to identify the issue.

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

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

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

Prototype Source

iii. Ensure your PHP setup is configured correctly.

If the issue is related to a PHP timeout, consider creating timeout rules or error handling in your script to resolve the result. Here'southward a total list 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. Check your permissions and make sure y'all gear up them correctly on your server.

4. Bank check the lawmaking for your site'due south .htaccess file.

Wrong coding or improper structure with your .htaccess file could be the reason you're seeing the 500 internal mistake. The .htaccess file helps you manage how long resources should be stored in a browser's enshroud. Try editing the file if you're seeing a 500 internal server error.

To locate your .htaccess file, access your website files through a file manager similar cPanel or via FTP/SFTP. The file will probably be located in your public_html directory. In that location'south a skilful chance your server will hibernate this file from view by default and y'all'll need to toggle hidden files on to see it.

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 besides crusade an HTTP 500 internal server error.

5. Ensure your new software is installed correctly.

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

How to fix a 500 internal server error

Last Resort: Ask a Server Administrator for Aid

If troubleshooting popular software problems or debugging server-side scripts doesn't fix your HTTP 500 internal server error, you should read about the most common causes for this type of issue in your server'southward documentation — an HTTP 500 internal server error can occur in unlike operating systems for a multitude of reasons.

You can as well enquire your service provider to access your fault logs and find evidence for the root crusade of your problem.

Internal server errors are irritating because they're unhelpful — it's basically the spider web server's way of proverb, "Eh, I'm non sure." Hopefully, one of the above steps volition resolve the problem so you tin can go dorsum to life as usual.

Editor's notation: This post was originally published in October 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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