How to Fix 500 Internal Server Errors in WordPress

A 500 Internal Server Error is a common WordPress issue indicating that something has gone wrong on the server, preventing your site from loading. Causes can include corrupted files, plugin or theme conflicts, or server configuration issues. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and resolve the error.

Step 1: Check for Plugin Conflicts

1. Log into the Shared Hosting Control Panel

   • Go to https://cp.lonestardataranch.com and enter your credentials.

2. Disable Plugins via the Control Panel

   • Click on the website experiencing the issue.
   • Select Apps from the top menu, then choose the WordPress install you want to modify.
   • Click Plugins in the left-hand menu, then click Deactivate next to each plugin to disable them.

3. Check the Site

   • After deactivating all plugins, reload your site to see if the error is resolved.
   • If the error is gone, reactivate plugins one by one, checking the site after each reactivation to identify the problematic plugin.

Step 2: Check for Theme Conflicts

1. Switch to a Default Theme Using the Control Panel

   • In the Shared Hosting Control Panel, select the website, go to Apps and choose the WordPress install.
   • Click Themes in the left-hand menu, find your active theme, and click Deactivate.
   • WordPress will switch to a default theme automatically.

2. Test Your Site

   • Reload your site. If the 500 error is resolved, the issue likely lies with your theme. Consider reinstalling or updating the theme, or contacting its developer for support.

Step 3: Check and Repair the .htaccess File

A corrupted .htaccess file can cause 500 errors. Resetting this file often fixes the issue.

1. Access .htaccess via File Manager or FTP

   • In the Shared Hosting Control Panel, go to the File Manager or connect via FTP.
   • Locate the .htaccess file in the root directory of your WordPress installation.

2. Rename .htaccess

   • Rename the file to something like .htaccess_old to disable it temporarily.

3. Create a New .htaccess File

   • Go to your WordPress Dashboard, navigate to Settings > Permalinks, and click Save Changes. This will automatically generate a new .htaccess file with default settings.

4. Check Your Site

   • Reload your site. If the error is resolved, the issue was with the .htaccess file.

Step 4: Increase PHP Memory Limit

If your site requires more memory than is allocated, increasing the PHP memory limit can help.

1. Edit wp-config.php

   • Access wp-config.php in the File Manager or via FTP.

   • Add the following line near the bottom:

     php

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

2. Save Changes and Refresh

   • Save the file and reload your site. If the 500 error was due to memory issues, this should resolve it.

Step 5: Check File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions can also trigger 500 errors.

1. Set Permissions via File Manager or FTP

   • In the File Manager or FTP, check that directories are set to 755 permissions and files to 644.
   • Adjust permissions if needed by right-clicking the file or folder and selecting Permissions.

2. Apply Changes and Test

   • Once permissions are correct, refresh your site to see if the error is resolved.

Step 6: Enable Debugging Mode

Debugging mode can provide more information about what’s causing the error.

1. Enable Debugging in wp-config.php

   • Open wp-config.php and find define('WP_DEBUG', false);.

   • Change it to:

     php

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

2. Check the Debug Log

   • Visit your site, then check the wp-content/debug.log file for error messages that may indicate the cause of the issue.

Remember: Turn off debugging by setting WP_DEBUG to false once you’re finished.

Step 7: Contact Your Hosting Provider

If the issue persists, contact our support team for help. There could be a server configuration issue that requires further assistance.

By following these steps, you can resolve the 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress and get your site back online. If you have any questions or need additional support, please reach out to our team.