Fixing The HTTP 500 Internal Server Error On Your Website

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Understanding The HTTP 500 Internal Server Error And Why It Matters
  3. Variations On This 500 Error
  4. 10 Ways To Fix The 500 Error Code
  5. Conclusion
  6. FAQ

Introduction

It's Friday night, and you're trying to wrap up work when your website hits a snag — the infamous HTTP 500 internal server error. Much like indecision over dinner plans, this generic error message can be frustratingly vague. You know something's wrong, but you don't get much more information than that. Fear not — understanding and resolving this issue is easier than you might think. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the HTTP 500 error, its causes, and provide you with ten practical solutions to get your site back online.

Understanding The HTTP 500 Internal Server Error And Why It Matters

The HTTP 500 internal server error indicates that the server encountered an issue it couldn't resolve, causing it to crash. This generic error code provides limited information, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact problem. Here’s why resolving this error quickly is crucial:

  1. Loss of Traffic and Sales: When your site is down, potential visitors and customers are unable to access it, resulting in lost opportunities.
  2. SEO Impact: Search engines like Google might interpret frequent errors as a sign of an unreliable website, negatively impacting your rankings.
  3. User Experience: Encountering a 500 error can frustrate users, giving them a negative impression of your site's professionalism and reliability.

Various factors can trigger a 500 internal server error, making troubleshooting essential. Let's tackle some of the most common causes and their solutions.

Variations On This 500 Error

Different browsers, operating systems, and the specific underlying issue can result in varied presentations of the 500 error. You might see a plain white screen (often called the White Screen of Death or WSoD) or a customized error message. Regardless of its appearance, the solutions we’ll discuss apply universally.

10 Ways To Fix The 500 Error Code

1. Try Reloading The Page

Sometimes, a server error can resolve itself. If you've made recent changes to your site, or your host faced temporary overload, waiting a few minutes and then reloading the page might do the trick. Refresh the page by pressing F5 (Windows) or Command + R (Mac).

2. Clear Your Browser Cache

A cached page can cause issues if it's corrupted. Check if the problem is local by accessing your site from another browser. If the error persists only on your initial browser, clear your browser cache:

  • Google Chrome: Click on the three vertical dots, go to More Tools > Clear Browsing Data, then select the data to clear and hit Clear data.

3. Back Up Your Website

Always back up your site before making major changes. Using an SFTP client like FileZilla, you can download your site's files and database. If your host offers one-click backups, take advantage of this feature.

4. Access Your Error Logs

Server error logs can provide clues about the cause:

  • Connect to your server via SFTP and navigate to your logs directory.
  • Download and open the most recent logs file with a text editor to inspect for errors.
  • For WordPress users, enabling the debug log can also be helpful. In your wp-config.php file, replace:
    define('WP_DEBUG', false);
    with:
    define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
    This logs errors to a debug.log file in your /wp-content/ directory.

5. Check For “Error Establishing a Database Connection”

If you see this message, neither your site nor your WordPress admin dashboard will be accessible. Common causes include incorrect database login credentials, corrupted databases, or issues with website installation files:

  • Verify and correct your database credentials in your wp-config.php file.
  • Repair any corrupted tables via phpMyAdmin.
  • Reinstall WordPress files, excluding the wp-content folder and wp-config-sample.php file.

6. Look For Permission Errors

Files with incorrect permissions can trigger a 500 error. Use SFTP to check and modify file permissions:

  • Files should generally have permissions set to 644, and directories and executables should be 755.

7. Increase Your PHP Memory Limit

Exceeding the PHP memory limit can cause a 500 error. Increase the limit via your .htaccess, php.ini, or wp-config.php files:

  • Edit .htaccess:
    php_value memory_limit 256M
  • Edit php.ini:
    memory_limit = 256M
  • Edit wp-config.php:
    define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

8. Check For Problems With Your .htaccess File

A corrupted .htaccess file can cause server errors. Here’s how to create a new one:

  • Rename your current .htaccess file (e.g., .htaccess_old).
  • Create a new .htaccess file in a text editor:
    # BEGIN WordPress
RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule .* - [E=HTTP_AUTHORIZATION:%{HTTP:Authorization}]
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
# END WordPress
  • Upload this new file to your root directory.

9. Look For Coding Or Syntax Errors In Your CGI/Perl Script

Coding errors in CGI scripts can cause a 500 error. Troubleshoot by logging into your server via SSH and running your script directly to locate errors.

10. Finally, Ask Your Web Host About Potential Server Issues

If none of the above solutions work, it's possible the issue is on your host’s end. Check your host’s status page for known issues or contact their support team for assistance.

Conclusion

Addressing a 500 internal server error may seem daunting due to its vague nature, but by systematically working through potential causes, you can often resolve it quickly. Remember, having reliable hosting can make troubleshooting easier and help prevent such errors in the first place. If you’re with DreamHost, rest assured that our support team is ready to assist you whenever issues arise.

With patience and the provided steps, you’ll get your site back on track, ensuring a seamless experience for your users and maintaining the hard-earned SEO and trust your website deserves.

FAQ

What is an HTTP 500 internal server error?

It's a generic error indicating the server encountered an issue it couldn't resolve. Causes can vary from server overload, permission errors, to coding problems.

How can I quickly resolve a 500 error?

Try reloading the page or clearing your browser cache. If the error persists, consider more technical solutions like checking error logs, verifying database connections, or increasing PHP memory limits.

Can a 500 error affect my website’s SEO?

Yes, prolonged downtime due to a 500 error can negatively impact your site’s SEO as search engines might see it as a sign of an unreliable website.

What should I do if I can't resolve the 500 error?

Contact your hosting provider for assistance. They can check if the issue is server-related and provide further troubleshooting steps.