Quick Solution: How to Fix Error 500 in WordPress

Error 500 or “Internal Server Error” is one of the most common problems that WordPress users often face. When this problem appears, the website cannot be accessed, and usually only displays the message “500 Internal Server Error”.

This is of course very annoying, especially for business sites that must always be online. Fortunately, there are several ways you can fix error 500 in WordPress. This article will discuss effective steps that you can apply to overcome this problem.

Frequent Causes of Error 500 in WordPress

It is important to understand the root causes of error 500 in WordPress before going any further. By knowing the cause, you can more easily determine the right steps to overcome it. Here are some common causes of error 500 in WordPress:

1. Plugin or Theme Conflict

One of the most frequent causes of error 500 is a conflict between the plugins or themes you are using. Some plugins may be incompatible with each other or not compatible with the version of WordPress you are using. This can cause your site to fail to function properly and generate a 500 error.

2. Corrupt .htaccess file

The .htaccess file plays an important role in managing your web server configuration. If this file is corrupted or there are errors in the settings, this can cause error 500. This usually occurs after making configuration changes or updating plugins/themes.

3. PHP Memory Limit Exceeded

WordPress requires sufficient PHP memory to run various functions. If your site requires more memory than allocated, then this can cause error 500. This often happens on sites that use a lot of plugins or heavy themes.

4. Problems with WordPress Core Files

Problems with WordPress core files such as missing or damaged files can also be the cause of error 500. These core files are very important because they contain all the basic functions needed to run your WordPress site.

5. Hosting Server Problems

A problematic or incorrectly configured hosting server can also be the cause of error 500. For example, problems with the Apache server or an old version of PHP that is not compatible with WordPress can trigger this error.

Steps to Fix Error 500 in WordPress

After knowing some of the causes of error 500 in WordPress, it’s time for us to move on to the steps to fix it. The following are some steps you can take:

1. Disable All Plugins

One of the quickest ways to detect the cause of error 500 is to deactivate all existing plugins on your site. You can do this via FTP or File Manager in cPanel. The way to do this is to change the name of the “plugins” folder to “plugins_deactivated”. After that, check your site again to see if error 500 still appears. If the error goes away, it means there is a problem with the plugin.

2. Revert to Default WordPress Theme

If deactivating the plugin doesn’t solve the problem, try replacing the theme you are using with a default WordPress theme such as Twenty Twenty-One. This can be done by changing the name of the active theme folder to “https://www.DomainJava.com/wp-content/themes/” via FTP. If this solves the problem, it means the theme you are using is the cause of the 500 error.

3. Check and Repair .htaccess File

A damaged .htaccess file is often the source of error 500. To fix it, open the .htaccess file in the root directory of your site and change the name to “.htaccess_old”. Then, try accessing your site again. If successful, you can create a new .htaccess file via the WordPress dashboard by going to Settings > Permalinks and clicking “Save Changes”.

4. Increase PHP Memory Limit

If error 500 is caused by the PHP memory limit being exceeded, you need to increase the memory limit. You can do this by adding the following code in the wp-config.php file:

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

This code will increase the PHP memory limit to 256MB. After adding this code, check your site again to see if error 500 has been resolved.

5. Reinstall WordPress Core

If all the steps above don’t work, there may be a problem with your WordPress core files. Try to re-download WordPress from the official site and replace the existing core files via FTP. Make sure you don’t overwrite the wp-content and wp-config.php files so that your data remains safe.

Guide to Resolving Internal Server Errors in WordPress

Resolving error 500 in WordPress can be a challenging task, but with this guide, you can handle the issue more easily. Here are additional steps that can help you resolve internal server errors in WordPress:

1. Cek Log Error Server

One of the best ways to diagnose error 500 is to check the server error log. These logs can usually be accessed via cPanel or FTP. From this error log, you can find out the exact cause of error 500 and take appropriate action to fix it.

2. Check File and Folder Permissions

Make sure that files and folders on your WordPress site have the correct permissions. Files should have permissions 644, while folders should have permissions 755. Incorrect permissions can cause error 500, so make sure to check and set the correct permissions.

3. Disable ModSecurity

Some hosting servers use ModSecurity which is sometimes too strict and causes error 500. You can try disabling ModSecurity temporarily to see if that is the cause of the problem. This can be done via cPanel or by adding a command in the .htaccess file:

SecFilterEngine OffSecFilterScanPOST Off

4. Contact the Hosting Provider

If you have tried all the steps above but error 500 is still not resolved, it may be time to contact your hosting provider. They can provide further assistance and check if there is a problem with the server that is causing the 500 error.

How to Fix Error 500 in WordPress After Update

Error 500 often appears after you update WordPress, plugins, or themes. This could be caused by incompatibility or update failure. Here are the steps you can take to fix error 500 after update:

1. Perform a Rollback Update

If error 500 occurs after updating, you can try to rollback or revert the update to the previous version. Some plugins offer a rollback feature, or you can do it manually by re-uploading the old version of the plugin/theme via FTP.

2. Update All Components to the Latest Version

Make sure that all plugins, themes, and WordPress core are updated to the latest version. Sometimes error 500 is caused by an incompatibility between the old version and the new one. By updating all components, you can avoid this problem.

3. Check Plugin and Theme Compatibility

Before updating, make sure the plugins and themes you use are compatible with the new WordPress version. You can check it on the plugin or theme page in the WordPress directory. If there are plugins or themes that are not yet compatible, it is best to wait for a compatible update before updating WordPress.

4. Clear Site Cache

After updating, there may be a cache that still stores the old version of your site. This can cause a 500 error if the cache conflicts with the new version. Clear site cache via a caching plugin or directly from the server.

Tips to Avoid Error 500 in WordPress

Error 500 can be prevented with some proper precautions. Here are some tips you can apply to avoid error 500 in WordPress:

1. Do regular backups

Always do regular backups of your WordPress site. By having a backup, you can easily restore your site if something happens

error 500 or other problems. Use an automatic backup plugin to make this process easier.

2. Use Trusted Plugins and Themes

Choose plugins and themes that are trusted and have a high rating. Avoid using plugins or themes that are rarely updated or have negative reviews. This will reduce the risk of error 500 due to conflicts or compatibility issues.

3. Monitor Server Performance

Continuously monitor the performance of your hosting server. If you experience frequent problems or downtime, consider switching to a more reliable hosting provider. A stable and fast server will reduce the risk of error 500 appearing.

4. Optimize WordPress Database

Optimize your WordPress database regularly. A database that is not optimized can overload the server and cause error 500. You can use a plugin like WP-Optimize to clean and optimize the database automatically.

5. Test Changes on the Staging Site

Before making major changes to a live site, test it first on a staging site. This will help you identify potential problems and avoid error 500 before changes are implemented on the live site.

Conclusion

Error 500 in WordPress is annoying, but with a proper understanding of its causes, you can quickly resolve this issue. From deactivating plugins to checking .htaccess files, there are various steps you can take to fix error 500.

It is important to always backup and monitor site performance regularly. This way, you can prevent error 500 from occurring in the future. Also remember to use trusted plugins and themes and always update WordPress to the latest version to maintain the security and stability of your site.

If you feel that you are having trouble or error 500 is not resolved, don’t hesitate to contact your hosting provider or professional WordPress consultant. With their help, you can ensure your WordPress site is back to normal functioning quickly!