Note (September 2026): This guide was updated to align its definitions with the HTTP standard (RFC 9110), to correct how file permissions and connection failures relate to a 500 error, and to remove an unsourced frequency claim.
A 500 Internal Server Error is a generic HTTP status code meaning the web server hit an unexpected condition and could not complete the request. The problem is on the website’s server, not the visitor’s device. Visitors can only reload later; site owners fix it by checking the error log, .htaccess rules, plugins, themes, PHP memory and file permissions.
Key Takeaways
- According to RFC 9110, the HTTP standard, a 500 status means the server “encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request.”
- A 500 error is a catch-all: servers use it when no more specific 5xx code (502, 503, 504) fits.
- Visitors can reload, retry later or contact the site owner; clearing the browser cache rarely fixes a true 500 error, but it is harmless to try.
- On WordPress sites, the WordPress documentation names a corrupted .htaccess file as the most likely cause, followed by plugin, theme, PHP memory and core-file problems.
- Google reduces crawling of a site that returns server errors and eventually removes URLs that return them persistently, so a lasting 500 error can cost search visibility.
The internet is an essential part of daily life. Often while browsing the internet, you may come across some error page with different codes and not the web page you intended to access.
500 Internal server error is one such unwanted interruption that sometimes refuses to leave your screen, no matter how many times you refresh or close and reopen the browser.
That is usually the first thing we do to fix anything, refresh, close/reopen the browser and restart. If the error still shows up, there is an important message in the form of error, which has to be addressed.
The 500 Internal Server Error is one of the errors that internet users are likely to recognize. Another familiar one is ‘Error 404 Not Found’, which means the server is working but the requested page does not exist.
What can be interpreted from the error codes?
The error codes that begin with 5 like ‘500’ or any other error in the format ‘5nn’, (where ‘n’ is any numerical) indicate the status of the server. According to RFC 9110, the current HTTP standard, a 5xx response indicates that the server is aware that it has erred or is incapable of performing the requested method.
When the server cannot determine the type of error or the exact code, it commonly uses the 500 Internal Server error. This code ‘500’ can be referred to as a blanket code that can be used by the server if none of the ‘5nn’ codes are applicable.
Since the error does not indicate a specific message, it can be difficult to fix. The reasons for the error can be many but one of the most commonly seen reason is relating to the scripting issues.
What do scripting issues mean?
Scripting issues are basically issues encountered when the servers convert a programming language into an output.
Examples include a form submission that fails, or a script that mishandles a special character or an unexpected value.
Scripting issues can occur due to a nonworking software program, disk failure, etc. A 500 error can also appear when the web server cannot get what it needs from a back-end service such as a database. When a proxy or gateway fails to reach the server behind it, the standard codes are 502 Bad Gateway or 504 Gateway Timeout, although some software returns a plain 500 instead.
Ways to Fix 500 internal server error
Considering the fact, how the error code 500 is a blanket of problems that could have multiple solutions, the ways to fix isn’t one either. Some ways to address the issue can be listed as follows.
Start with the quick visitor-side checks
As a visitor, the first things to try are the same quick checks used for a 504 error. A 500 error is caused by the server, so these steps rarely fix it, but they rule out a stale cached page on your side.
- Restart the browser.
- In Chrome on Windows or Linux, press Ctrl, Shift and Delete together to open the delete browsing data window; most desktop browsers offer a similar option in their settings.
- A window appears with options such as browsing history, cookies and cached images and files. Select the boxes you need and confirm; in Chrome the button is labeled ‘Delete data’ (as of September 2026).
- Button labels differ between browsers and versions, but the process is broadly the same in Firefox, Edge and Safari.
The server might respond with a ‘500 internal server error’ instead of ‘504 error’. This is uncommon, but it can happen when a server does not receive a timely response from another server it depends on. RFC 9110 reserves 504 Gateway Timeout for a gateway or proxy that did not get a timely response from an upstream server, so a 500 in that situation is less specific than it should be.
Fixing the server
This is applicable if you are the web administrator or master. The web administrator can fix the error from the server side so that the error message does not pop up. Here is a list to address three major problems causing the server issues.
External server/resource timeout.
A web server may need assistance or response from another remote server or a resource in order to process a request from the user. There can be instances where the external resource or the remote server may timeout.
A common fix is to set appropriate timeout values for the server and the external call, and to find out why the remote resource is slow; raising a timeout helps only if the resource eventually responds.
Incorrect file or directory permissions.
The 500 error also has the phrases ‘internal server’ attached to it. If the server lacks permission to read or execute a file or directory it needs, an internal server error can occur.
This error or issue can be fixed by resetting or updating the appropriate permissions for access to files/directories. Incorrect permission on a ‘php’ script is one common instance that can trigger such errors. For WordPress on suexec shared hosting, the WordPress documentation recommends 755 or 750 for directories and 644 or 640 for files, with wp-config.php at 440 or 400.
A configuration error in ‘.htaccess’ file.
A configuration error or misconfiguration in the file ‘.htaccess’ can also trigger the 500 error. For WordPress sites, the WordPress documentation calls a corrupted .htaccess file the most likely cause of an internal server error.
Sometimes, URL rewriting errors can stimulate errors but these are not 500 errors usually. However, correcting the error in a configuration in the .htaccess file after locating it, can help in fixing the issue.
🔧 500 Internal Server Error Fix (Step-by-Step)
| ✅ Problem / Cause | 🔍 Description | 🛠️ Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Corrupted .htaccess File | Most common cause in WordPress | Rename .htaccess → Go to Settings → Permalinks → Click Save to regenerate |
| Plugin Conflict | Broken or incompatible plugin | Disable all plugins → Enable one by one to find the issue |
| Theme Issue | Faulty theme code | Switch to a default Twenty-series theme (the WordPress documentation uses Twenty Twenty-One as its example) |
| PHP Memory Limit | Server memory exhausted | Increase PHP memory limit (wp-config.php → define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');) |
| Server Misconfiguration | Incorrect server settings | Check server config or contact hosting support |
| File Permission Error | Wrong file permissions | Set folders to 755 and files to 644 |
| Corrupted Core Files | Missing/damaged WordPress files | Re-upload fresh WordPress core files (except wp-content) |
| PHP Errors | Coding or script issue | Enable debug mode (WP_DEBUG = true) to find error |
| Hosting Server Issue | Server downtime or overload | Contact hosting provider (Hostinger, Bluehost, etc.) |
| Database Connection Issue | Database errors | Check wp-config.php DB credentials |
Some other fixes!
Refreshing the page is one of the basic options. Another is typing the URL again carefully instead of reusing the one saved in your history. You can also look for other users, your friends or colleagues and verify if it is a universal problem.
Large, well-known websites also suffer outages and server errors from time to time. This might also be breaking news on the internet, so if something specific is throwing up an error to you, instead of pondering your system, it would be of best interest to verify the same with other users and Google!
Look for professional assistance
If the issue is still not resolved after all attempts, contact the right people with details: visitors should contact the website owner, and site owners should contact their hosting provider’s support. Describe the error, when it started, what changed just before it and the fixes you have already tried, with their results.
What Does a 500 Internal Server Error Mean?
A 500 Internal Server Error means the web server received a request but failed while trying to answer it. RFC 9110, the HTTP Semantics standard published in June 2022, defines the 500 code as the server having “encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request.”
MDN Web Docs, Mozilla’s developer reference, describes 500 as a catch-all response used when the server cannot identify a more specific 5xx error. MDN lists improper server configuration, out-of-memory problems, unhandled exceptions and improper file permissions among the common causes.
The key point for readers is ownership: a 500 error comes from the website’s server. The visitor’s browser, device or internet connection is almost never the cause.
500 vs 502, 503 and 504: How Are They Different?
The 5xx server error codes look similar on screen but point to different problems. The definitions below follow RFC 9110.
| Status code | Name | What it means | Typical starting point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | Internal Server Error | The server hit an unexpected condition and could not fulfil the request. | Server or application error log |
| 502 | Bad Gateway | A gateway or proxy received an invalid response from the server behind it. | The upstream application server, CDN or proxy |
| 503 | Service Unavailable | The server is temporarily unable to handle the request because of overload or scheduled maintenance. | Server load, maintenance mode, resource limits |
| 504 | Gateway Timeout | A gateway or proxy did not receive a timely response from an upstream server. | Slow database queries, slow scripts, timeout settings |
To see how different status codes look in practice, the random HTTP status code generator produces sample codes with their names.
What Should a Visitor Do When a Website Shows a 500 Error?
A visitor has limited options because the fault sits on the website’s server. According to MDN, a 500 error requires investigation by the server’s owners or administrators.
- Reload once. Some 500 errors are brief and clear on a second request.
- Wait a few minutes and try again. The site owner may already be fixing the problem.
- Check whether others see it. If the site is down for everyone, nothing on your device will fix it.
- Avoid resubmitting payments or orders. If the error appeared after submitting a form or payment, check your email or account before trying again, so you do not submit twice.
- Contact the site. Use a support link or contact address if the error page shows one, and include any error or request ID it displays.
How Do You Fix a 500 Internal Server Error on Your Own Website?
Site owners should diagnose before changing anything. A 500 error message hides the real cause, but the server’s error log usually records it.
1. Read the error log first
The server or application error log usually names the failing file, function or line. Hosting control panels usually provide access to these logs. MDN recommends that site owners log 500 errors with request details and use request IDs so each error can be traced.
2. Undo the most recent change
A 500 error that starts right after a plugin install, theme update, code deployment or configuration edit usually comes from that change. Reverting it, or restoring a recent backup, is often the fastest fix.
3. Test the .htaccess file (Apache and LiteSpeed servers)
The WordPress documentation advises renaming .htaccess to .htaccess_old over FTP, testing the site, and then regenerating the file from Settings > Permalinks. The standard WordPress rewrite block is published in the WordPress Advanced Administration handbook and can be used to restore a corrupted file.
4. Rule out plugins and the theme
According to the WordPress documentation, deactivating all plugins identifies a faulty one; if the admin area is unreachable, renaming the plugins folder over FTP disables them all. Switching to a default theme then rules out a theme conflict.
5. Check PHP memory and the PHP version
WordPress tries to allocate 40MB of PHP memory for a single site and 64MB for multisite, according to the wp-config.php documentation. The WP_MEMORY_LIMIT constant can raise this, but WordPress notes that some hosts do not allow the PHP memory limit to be raised automatically, in which case the host must increase it.
An incompatible PHP version is another cause the WordPress documentation lists. As of September 2026, WordPress.org recommends PHP 8.3 or greater and MySQL 8.0 or greater or MariaDB 10.11 or greater.
6. Replace damaged core files
The WordPress documentation suggests re-uploading the wp-admin and wp-includes folders from a fresh copy of WordPress. The wp-content folder, which holds themes, plugins and uploads, should be left in place.
7. Turn on debugging on a staging copy
WP_DEBUG switches on WordPress debug mode, WP_DEBUG_LOG saves errors to wp-content/debug.log, and WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY controls whether messages show on the page. The WordPress documentation states that these debug tools are not recommended on live sites and are meant for local testing and staging installs.
What Is the WordPress “Critical Error” Message?
WordPress may show “There has been a critical error on this website” instead of a bare 500 page. According to the WordPress documentation, the site admin email address then receives details about the error. The recommended next steps are to check that email, enable debugging and review wp-content/debug.log. Plugin conflicts, theme compatibility issues, incompatible PHP versions, memory limits and corrupted files are the typical causes the documentation lists.
Does a 500 Error Hurt SEO?
A short-lived 500 error has limited impact, but a persistent one can do real damage. According to Google Search Central, Google decreases the crawl rate for a site in proportion to the number of URLs returning a server error. Google’s indexing pipeline removes URLs that persistently return a server error, and once the server returns 2xx responses again, Google gradually increases the crawl rate.
Site owners should therefore fix recurring 500 errors quickly and watch the Page indexing and Crawl stats reports in Google Search Console for server errors.
How Can You Prevent 500 Errors?
- Test updates on staging first. Plugin, theme and PHP upgrades are frequent triggers of WordPress 500 errors.
- Keep reliable backups. A recent backup turns a long outage into a quick restore.
- Keep PHP and software current. Follow the versions your platform recommends.
- Watch resource limits. Memory or process limits on a small hosting plan can surface as server errors under load.
- Log and monitor. Uptime monitoring and error logs reveal problems before visitors report them.
For background on how hosting plans and resources work, see this beginner’s guide to web hosting, the signs that a site has outgrown shared hosting and needs a VPS, and these WordPress tips and tricks. Windows users troubleshooting a different kind of error code can read the guide to fixing error code 0x0 0x0.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 500 Internal Server Error my fault?
A 500 Internal Server Error is almost never the visitor’s fault. The error comes from the website’s server, so only the site owner or host can fix the underlying problem. A visitor can reload later or contact the site.
Will clearing my browser cache fix a 500 error?
Clearing the browser cache rarely fixes a 500 error, because the error is generated by the server. It is harmless to try and can help if your browser is showing an old cached error page.
What is the most common cause of a 500 error on WordPress?
The WordPress documentation names a corrupted .htaccess file as the most likely cause. Faulty or conflicting plugins, theme problems, low PHP memory, incompatible PHP versions and damaged core files are the other causes it lists.
What is the difference between a 500 and a 503 error?
A 500 error signals an unexpected failure inside the server. A 503 Service Unavailable error, as defined in RFC 9110, means the server is temporarily unable to handle requests because of overload or scheduled maintenance.
Can a 500 error affect Google rankings?
A persistent 500 error can affect search visibility. Google Search Central states that Google slows crawling of sites returning server errors and removes URLs that persistently return them from the index.
How long does a 500 error last?
There is no fixed duration for a 500 error. It lasts until the cause is fixed, which can take seconds for a brief glitch or much longer for a broken plugin or server misconfiguration.
