How to Fix 500 internal Server Error Wordpress : Quick Solutions (Step-by-Step 2026)

Seeing the dreaded "500 Internal Server Error" on your WordPress site? Don't panic. This guide provides a step-by-step troubleshooting checklist to help you fix it, fast .

It’s a moment that makes every website owner's heart sink. You go to check your site, and instead of your beautiful homepage, you're met with a stark white page and a single, unhelpful message: "500 Internal Server Error."

There are no clues, no hints—just a declaration that something is broken. This is one of the most common WordPress errors, and it's also one of the most frustrating because it doesn't tell you *what* went wrong.

In simple terms, a 500 error means something went wrong on your website's server, but the server itself can't figure out the specific problem. The good news is that it's almost always a fixable issue on your end. By following a logical troubleshooting process, you can find the culprit and get your site back online.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to fixing the 500 Internal Server Error, starting with the most common and easiest solutions.

Step 1: Reload and Clear Your Cache

Before you dive into anything technical, try the simplest fix. Sometimes, the server was just temporarily overloaded or a glitch occurred.

• Wait one minute, then reload the page. Press Ctrl + F5 (or Cmd + R on Mac) to do a "hard refresh" that bypasses your browser's cache.
• If that doesn't work, clear your entire browser cache. It's possible your browser is holding on to a cached version of the error page.

If the error persists, it's time to move on to the more common causes.

Step 2: Check for a Corrupted .htaccess File (A Very Common Cause)

The .htaccess file is a core WordPress configuration file that controls your site's permalinks (the structure of your URLs). If this file becomes corrupted, it can easily trigger a 500 error.

How to fix it:

1. Log in to your hosting control panel and open the File Manager (or use an FTP client like FileZilla).
2. Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation (the same place you see the wp-content and wp-admin folders).
3. Find the file named .htaccess. (If you can't see it, make sure to "Show Hidden Files" in your File Manager's settings).
4. Right-click the file and rename it to something like .htaccess_old.
5. Now, try visiting your website again. If it loads, you've found the problem!
6. To generate a new, clean .htaccess file, log in to your WordPress dashboard, go to Settings > Permalinks, and simply click the "Save Changes" button at the bottom.

Step 3: Deactivate All Plugins (The MOST Common Cause)

If the .htaccess file wasn't the issue, a problematic plugin is the most likely culprit, especially if the error appeared after you updated a plugin.

If you can access your WordPress dashboard:

• Go to Plugins, select all installed plugins, and choose "Deactivate" from the bulk actions menu.
• If your site starts working, you know a plugin is to blame.
• Reactivate your plugins one by one, reloading your site after each one, until the error reappears. The last plugin you activated is the faulty one.

If you CANNOT access your WordPress dashboard:

1. Using the File Manager or FTP, navigate to the wp-content folder.
2. Find the folder named plugins.
3. Rename it to something like plugins_deactivated. This will disable every plugin on your site.
4. Check your site. If it loads, you've confirmed it's a plugin issue.
5. Rename the folder back to plugins. Then, go to your WordPress dashboard (it should work now) and reactivate the plugins one by one to find the offender.

Step 4: Increase Your PHP Memory Limit

Sometimes, a 500 error can occur if a script or plugin is trying to use more memory than your server has allocated. You can try increasing this limit.

How to fix it:

1. Using the File Manager or FTP, find the file named wp-config.php in your root directory.
2. Important: Download a backup of this file to your computer before editing it.
3. Edit the file and add the following line of code just before the line that says, /* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */:

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

4. Save the file and check your site again.

Step 5: If All Else Fails, Contact Your Host

If you've tried all of the above and your site is still down, the problem may be at the server level, which is something only your hosting provider can fix. Contact their support team and let them know you're getting a 500 Internal Server Error. Be sure to tell them all the troubleshooting steps you've already taken—this will help them narrow down the problem much faster.

Conclusion: A Scary but Solvable Problem

The 500 Internal Server Error is intimidating, but it's rarely a sign of a catastrophe. By following a calm, logical process—checking your .htaccess file, deactivating plugins, and increasing memory—you can solve the vast majority of cases yourself. And remember, this is a perfect example of why having a recent backup of your site is so crucial for peace of mind.