One of the most common errors seen on websites today is the Internal Server Error. This error may also show up as HTTP 500. While this error is common, it can still send a common user into a panic, especially if you do not know how to fix it.
Why the Error Occurs?
Whether you are using WordPress or some other site, you can end up with an Internal Server Error. It is a very generic error and can be difficult to diagnose without further information. The most common causes of server errors are due to bad plugins or functions of a theme. However, it is also possible for the error to be due to a corrupt .htaccess file or if you have met the memory limit. Unfortunately, this means you may need to do some searching to find the cause of the error.
Check your .htaccess File
Before you start attempting to figure out which plugin has gone haywire, it is best to rule out any corruption in the .htaccess file. The easiest way to check to see if your file has become corrupt is to rename your .htaccess file by logging into your FTP server. If you are able to load your site by renaming the access file, then the problem is there. However, you want to make sure you make a new .htaccess file by going into your settings folder and saving the permalinks option.
Increase Your Memory Limit
The other cause of an Internal Server Error is with an exhausted PHP memory. This is often the case if you are attempting to upload an image or log into the admin side and see the error. You can increase the PHP memory limit by creating a php.ini text file and type “memory=64MB” without the quotation marks. Once you have saved the file, you will need to use your FTP program and upload it to the wp-admin folder. This is often a temporary fix, but is one that will let you know where the problem occurs.
Check the Plugins
If the above methods did not give you the results you were hoping for, then you will need to start checking your plugins. The easiest way is to deactivate all of your plugins and see if the error goes away. Once you see the error is gone, then it is a slow process of reactivating plugins one at a time to see what causes the error to come back. It may be due to plugins not working well together, so be prepared to take time to find the right combination. It is important that if you find a plugin to be causing an error to report it to the author so they can work on a fix.
Finally, if checking the plugins does not fix the error, then you can always turn to your host provider. They will be able to access the server logs and help you pinpoint where the problem is occurring, and what is causing it. It can be extremely frustrating dealing with this error, but with some patience, it can be fixed.