How to Fix the 500 Internal Server Error on WordPress (Beginner’s Guide)

The 500 Internal Server Error is the most vague error in WordPress. It basically says, “Something went wrong, but we don’t know what.”

Because it is a generic server-side error, it doesn’t tell you the specific cause. However, through the process of elimination, we can identify and fix it quickly.

Common Causes

Corrupted .htaccess file. PHP Memory Limit exhausted. Incorrect File Permissions.

Solution 1: Regenerate the .htaccess File

The .htaccess file manages your permalinks and redirects. If it gets corrupted, the server throws a 500 error.

1. Log in to your FTP or File Manager.
2. Find the .htaccess file in the root directory.
3. Rename it to .htaccess_old.
4. Reload your site. If it works: Go to your WordPress Dashboard > Settings > Permalinks and click Save Changes to generate a fresh file. If it doesn’t work: Move to Solution 2.

Solution 2: Increase PHP Memory Limit

Similar to the White Screen of Death, a 500 error can happen if a process times out.

1. Create a text file named php.ini.
2. Paste this code inside: memory_limit = 256M
3. Upload this file to your wp-admin/ folder via FTP.

Solution 3: Check File Permissions

If a folder is set to the wrong permission level, the server will block it for security.

1. In your File Manager, check the “Permissions” column.
2. Folders should be 755.
3. Files should be 644.
4. If you see anything set to 777 or 000, right-click and change it immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an .htaccess file?
It is a configuration file used by Apache web servers to control directory settings and redirects.

Why does the 500 error appear and disappear?
This usually indicates you are hitting the memory limit occasionally when a specific script runs.

Conclusion

The 500 Internal Server Error is annoying because it is vague, but 90% of the time, it is a corrupted .htaccess file. Rename it, save your permalinks, and watch your traffic return.