How to Fix WordPress 500 Internal Server Error

What is the 500 Internal Server Error?

This error is a server-side issue that usually means something is broken behind the scenes — but the server doesn’t say exactly what.

You may see this error when trying to access your homepage or WordPress admin dashboard.

Most Common Causes:

• Corrupted .htaccess file
• PHP memory limit too low
• Plugin or theme conflict
• Syntax error in functions.php
• Server misconfiguration

Step-by-Step Fix:

1. Rename the .htaccess File
Use FTP or File Manager and rename .htaccess to .htaccess_backup. Then, go to WordPress dashboard → Settings → Permalinks → Save to regenerate a new file.

2. Increase PHP Memory Limit
Add this to your wp-config.php:

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

3. Disable All Plugins
Rename the plugins folder to plugins_temp and check if the error goes away.

4. Revert to a Default Theme
Rename your current theme folder so that WordPress loads a default theme.

5. Enable Debug Mode
In wp-config.php:

phpCopyEditdefine('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);

Check the /wp-content/debug.log file to find specific errors.

Pro Tip:

Always back up your site before making changes. If the issue persists, your hosting provider may help by checking server logs.

Need a Developer?

If you’re overwhelmed, we offer WordPress error fixing services — contact us and we’ll handle it for you.