How to Fix WordPress Error 500 (Internal Server Error)

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A WordPress 500 Internal Server Error can render your site inaccessible, frustrating visitors and hurting your SEO. This vague error often hides issues like plugin conflicts, server limits, or code errors, making it tricky to diagnose. In this 2025 step-by-step guide, I’ll show you how to fix the WordPress 500 error, even if you’re a beginner. With clear instructions, code snippets, and expert tools, you’ll get your site back online fast. Let’s dive in!

What Causes a WordPress 500 Internal Server Error?

The 500 error is a generic server-side issue, meaning something went wrong but the server can’t pinpoint it. Common causes include:

  • Plugin Conflicts: Faulty or incompatible plugins crash the server.
  • Corrupted .htaccess File: Invalid rewrite rules block site access.
  • PHP Memory Limits: Insufficient memory for WordPress scripts.
  • Theme Issues: Rarely, theme code triggers errors.
  • Server Misconfigurations: Hosting issues like outdated PHP or resource limits.
  • Code Errors: Syntax issues in custom code (e.g., functions.php).

This guide covers 5 actionable steps to resolve these issues, optimized for 2025 WordPress setups.

Prerequisites

  • Access to your WordPress admin panel (yoursite.com/wp-admin) and site files (via FTP or hosting file manager, e.g., SiteGround’s cPanel).
  • A backup of your site (use UpdraftPlus for free, reliable backups).
  • Basic WordPress knowledge (I’ll keep steps beginner-friendly!).

Note: Reliable hosting prevents server errors. I recommend SiteGround for their robust WordPress-optimized servers and 24/7 support.

Step 1: Enable Debug Mode to Identify the Issue

Debug mode helps uncover the root cause of the 500 error.

  1. Edit wp-config.php:
    • Access your site’s root folder via FTP (e.g., FileZilla) or file manager.
    • Open wp-config.php and add before /* That's all, stop editing! */:
define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)
  1. Check Debug Log:
    • Visit your site to trigger the error.
    • Open wp-content/debug.log to find details (e.g., “Fatal error in plugin-x.php on line 42”).
  2. Analyze Error:
    • Note the file, plugin, or theme mentioned in the log.

Why It Works: Debug mode logs specific errors, guiding you to the culprit (e.g., a plugin or code issue).

Pro Tip: Use Query Monitor (self-hosted) to analyze errors directly in the admin panel if accessible.

Step 2: Disable All Plugins

Plugins are the most common cause of 500 errors due to conflicts or faulty updates.

  1. Disable Plugins via FTP:
    • Navigate to wp-content/plugins/ and rename the folder to plugins-disabled.
    • Visit your site. If the 500 error is gone, a plugin is the issue.
  2. Identify the Culprit:
    • Restore the plugins folder name.
    • Move one plugin to a temporary folder (e.g., plugins-temp) and test your site.
    • Repeat until the error returns, indicating the faulty plugin.
    • Common culprits: Security plugins like iThemes Security or outdated plugins.
  3. Fix or Replace:
    • Update the plugin via Plugins > Installed Plugins (if admin is accessible).
    • Check its WordPress.org support forum for fixes or replace with an alternative (e.g., Wordfence for security).

Why It Works: Disabling plugins isolates conflicts, restoring site functionality.

Affiliate Link: Optimize plugins with WP Rocket to prevent future conflicts.

Step 3: Check and Fix .htaccess

A corrupted .htaccess file can cause 500 errors by breaking URL rewrites.

  1. Access .htaccess:
    • Via FTP or file manager, go to the root folder (e.g., public_html).
    • Download .htaccess as a backup.
  2. Replace with Default:
    • Rename .htaccess to .htaccess-backup.
    • Create a new .htaccess file with:
# BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
</IfModule>
# END WordPress
Code language: HTML, XML (xml)
  • Save and upload.
  1. Test Your Site:
    • Visit your site. If the error is resolved, .htaccess was the issue.

Alternative: If admin access is available, go to Settings > Permalinks and click Save Changes to regenerate .htaccess.

Why It Works: A clean .htaccess restores proper URL routing, fixing server errors.

Affiliate Link: SiteGround simplifies .htaccess management via their file manager.

Step 4: Increase PHP Memory Limit

Low PHP memory can trigger 500 errors, especially on sites with many plugins.

  1. Edit wp-config.php:
    • Add before /* That's all, stop editing! */:
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)
  1. Edit php.ini (if needed):
    • Access via hosting file manager or cPanel.
    • Add or update:
memory_limit = 256M
  1. Test Your Site:
    • Visit your site to confirm the error is gone.

Why It Works: Increasing memory allows WordPress to process scripts without crashing.

Pro Tip: If unresolved, contact SiteGround to adjust server memory limits.

Step 5: Test Your Theme

Rarely, a theme’s custom code can cause a 500 error.

  1. Switch to Default Theme:
    • Via FTP, rename your theme folder (e.g., wp-content/themes/astra to astra-disabled).
    • WordPress.com: Activate Twenty Twenty-Four via Appearance > Themes.
  2. Test Your Site:
    • Visit your site. If the error is gone, the theme is the issue.
  3. Fix or Replace:
    • Update the theme via Appearance > Themes.
    • Switch to a lightweight theme like Astra if issues persist.

Why It Works: Default themes eliminate faulty code, restoring site access.

Affiliate Link: Get fast themes from ThemeForest.

Step 6: Contact Hosting Support

If the above steps fail, server-side issues like outdated PHP, resource limits, or misconfigurations may be the cause.

  1. Check Server Settings:
    • Log in to your hosting dashboard (e.g., SiteGround, Bluehost).
    • Confirm PHP 7.4+ and adequate resources (e.g., CPU, RAM).
  2. Submit a Support Ticket:
    • Share wp-content/debug.log and steps tried.
    • Mention the 500 error and affected URLs (e.g., yoursite.com or wp-admin).
  3. Consider Upgrading Hosting:
    • Shared hosting often causes 500 errors. SiteGround offers high-performance plans with Google Cloud infrastructure.

Why It Works: Hosting support can fix server issues beyond your control, like PHP errors or resource caps.

Preventing WordPress 500 Errors in 2025

  • Monitor Site Health: Use Query Monitor to catch issues early.
  • Limit Plugins: Keep <15 plugins and update regularly.
  • Backup Regularly: Automate with UpdraftPlus.
  • Use Reliable Hosting: SiteGround prevents server-side errors.
  • Test Updates: Use SiteGround’s staging to test plugins/themes.
  • Optimize Performance: Use WP Rocket to reduce server load.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the 500 error only affect certain pages?
A: Page-specific plugins or code (e.g., shortcodes) may trigger errors. Check debug.log.

Q: Can free hosting cause 500 errors?
A: Yes, free plans often lack resources. Upgrade to SiteGround.

Q: How do I prevent 500 errors after updates?
A: Test updates in SiteGround’s staging and backup with UpdraftPlus.

Wrapping Up

Fixing the WordPress maintenance mode stuck issue is straightforward with this 2025 guide. By deleting .maintenance, resolving updates, and using reliable hosting like SiteGround, you’ll keep your site accessible. Want more fixes? Download my Free WordPress Troubleshooting Checklist or explore my guides:

Share your maintenance mode fixes on X or ask below! Visit my Resources page for top tools.

Download the Free WordPress Troubleshooting Checklist

If this guide helped, share it with a friend or follow TechBit for more WordPress troubleshooting tips!

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