WordPress 500 Internal Server Error

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Regenerate .htaccess

   Copy steps
   1. Over FTP rename .htaccess to .htaccess_old.
   2. Load the site. If it works, go to Settings > Permalinks and click Save to create a clean .htaccess.
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Deactivate plugins and switch theme

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   1. Rename wp-content/plugins to plugins_old; if the error goes away, restore the name and reactivate plugins one by one.
   2. Switch to a default theme the same way.
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Increase the PHP memory limit

   1. Add define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); to wp-config.php, or ask your host to raise memory_limit.
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Re-upload wp-admin and wp-includes

   1. Download a fresh copy of WordPress and upload new wp-admin and wp-includes folders.
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. 5. Check the server error log

   1. In your host panel open the Error Log (or ask support). It names the exact file and cause, which is faster than guessing.
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

The browser shows '500 Internal Server Error' or 'HTTP ERROR 500' on the site or on wp-admin only.

Why it happens

• A corrupted .htaccess file
• A faulty plugin or theme
• PHP memory limit exhausted
• Corrupted core files
• Wrong file permissions or a server problem on the host

This guide also covers

• wordpress 500 internal server error
• wordpress http error 500
• wp-admin 500 error

The same problem in other apps

All not loading, error messages & connection guides →

• Squarespace Domain Not Connecting (Squarespace)
• Wix Site Not Loading or Can't Be Reached (Wix)

Other WordPress errors

• WordPress White Screen of Death
• WordPress Error Establishing a Database Connection
• WordPress Critical Error: 'There Has Been a Critical Error on This Website'
• WordPress Too Many Redirects (ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS)
• WordPress Stuck in Maintenance Mode: 'Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance'
• WordPress 'Allowed Memory Size Exhausted' Fatal Error
• WordPress 'Updating Failed. The Response Is Not a Valid JSON Response'
• WordPress Posts Return 404 Not Found