Fix WordPress 500 Internal Server Error (2025)

Why the 500 Internal Server Error Happens in WordPress

Let’s be honest: the 500 Internal Server Error is one of the worst things that can happen with WordPress. The “404 page not found” error makes it very clear that the page doesn’t exist, but the “500” error doesn’t say anything. It’s like a brick wall that doesn’t move.

I remember making changes to a client’s WooCommerce store one night in late 2024. Everything was going well until all of a sudden the site went blank with a “500 Internal Server Error.” Customers were confused and panicked because they couldn’t place orders. People who have run a blog or an online store know that even 30 minutes of free time can feel like a long time.

The 500 mistake happens more often than most people think. In 2025, over 43% of websites around the world are powered by WordPress, so the chances of seeing it are pretty high. It can be fixed, which is good news.

This guide will show you everything I know about how to fix the WordPress 500 Internal Server Error, step by step. I’ll include tips for beginners, examples from real life, sources that are up to date for 2025, and even more advanced fixes for people who like to learn more.

Take a deep breath, grab a coffee, and let’s figure this out together.

What Does the 500 Internal Server Error Mean in WordPress?

Let’s make sure we know what we’re dealing with before we start fixing things.

There is a general mistake on the server side called the 500 Internal Server mistake. In this case, your computer is trying to load your WordPress site but the server is having trouble doing so.

In other words, the outside of your website looks fine, but something broke in the machine.

Causes that happen a lot in WordPress are:

• A corrupted .htaccess file
• Faulty plugin or theme
• PHP memory running out
• Hosting issues (server overload, wrong PHP version, misconfigurations)
• Corrupted core WordPress files

What’s tricky is that the mistake doesn’t say which of these problems is making it happen. Troubleshooting can feel like detective work because of this. But don’t worry, I’ll walk you through each option.

Step 1: Back Up Your WordPress Site First

That’s right, back up your site first before we talk about options.

I’ve seen people who were just starting out delete files and rename folders right away, only to feel bad when they lost data. I promise you that you don’t want to experience this difficulty personally.

This is what you can do:

• From the Hosting Panel: In 2025, most modern hosting companies, such as SiteGround, Hostinger, and Bluehost, offer a backup tool that only needs one click.
• From the WordPress dashboard, if you can get to it: Some of the best backup tools are still plugins like UpdraftPlus and BlogVault.
• You can back up your site manually by downloading the files through cPanel or FTP and exporting the database using phpMyAdmin.

Quick tip:

To save things, you can usually still get to your server panel even if your site is down with a 500 error.

Step 2: See if the problem is caused by a plugin conflict.

Plugins are great because they let us add functions without having to write code. Plugins don’t always get along with each other, though.

Real Case Example:

A trip blog client of mine put in a brand-new caching plugin in the year 2025. The tool was supposed to be “lightning fast,” but it caused a 500 error when it tried to work with their SEO plugin.

Below is a guide on how to check for plugin conflicts:

1. You can access the files on your website by utilizing the File Manager in cPanel or FTP.
2. Head over to wp-content/plugins.
3. Change the name of the folder to plugins_backup.
4. Try to load your site again.

• You’ll know that one of your apps is broken if the site works again.
• Change the folder’s name back to plugins.
• Then, from your dashboard, turn off each app one by one until you find the one that did it.

2025 Tip:

Before loading updates, make sure that your plugins work with WordPress 6.6 and PHP 8.2.

Step 3: Test Your Theme

Themes do more than just look good; they also have scripts and functions that run in the background. The 500 problem could be caused by an old or badly coded theme.

How to test:

1. Go to wp-content/themes.
2. Give your current theme folder a new name.
3. WordPress will move to the newest default theme (like Twenty Twenty-Five) on its own.
4. Refresh your website.

• If it loads, the issue is with your theme.
• You need to update or consider switching to one that better suits your site.

Personal example:

I made a lot of changes to a client’s theme in 2023 without using a child theme. I got a 500 error when I tried to use the theme after WordPress changed. I learned that when I want to make changes, I should always use a child theme.

Step 4: Fix the .htaccess File

You can think of the.htaccess file as the “rulebook” for how your WordPress site talks to the server. It can give you a 500 error if it’s broken.

How To Fix It:

1. You can use FTP or File Manager to connect.
2. Look for .htaccess in your site’s root directory.
3. Change the name to.htaccess_old.
4. Refresh your website.

If the site works again, go to your homepage, click Settings > Permalinks, and then click Save Changes. A new, clean .htaccess file has been created.

Step 5: Raise the limit on your PHP memory

The warning message could mean that your site ran out of memory.

Think of your server as a desk. Putting too many books (plugins, scripts, processes) on top of a too-small bookcase makes it fall apart.

To add more memory to PHP:

• Launch wp-config.php.
• Put this line after “That’s it, stop editing!”Message:

Most WordPress hosts will handle at least 256M in 2025. Certain sites may need at least 512M.

Step 6: Reinstall WordPress core files.

When WordPress files are updated or moved, they can get damaged.

This is the safe approach to change them:

1. Go to wordpress.org to get the most recent version of WordPress.
2. Open the zip file on your computer.
3. Using FTP, only upload the new WordPress files, not the wp-content and wp-config.php files.
4. Overwrite files that already exist.

If any system files are broken, this will fix them without changing your themes, plugins, or content.

7. Check for problems with the server and hosting

You’re not always to blame for 500 errors. There are times when it’s your host’s server.

These are the things you should ask your host:

• Is your server now overloaded?
• Are you using PHP 8.2+ The most recent version?
• Are there problem logs that show what went wrong?

If more people are visiting your site, your server plan might not be enough. In 2025, I’ve seen writers switch from shared hosting to VPS or cloud hosting because big traffic spikes can be too much for small servers.

Step 8: Turn on WordPress’s debug mode

When you’re in debug mode, you can see what’s really going on.

To enable it:

• Open wp-config.php.
• Add this:

• Reload your webpage.
• Check the wp-content/debug.log file.

You can use this log to find the exact tool, theme, or function that is giving you trouble.

Step 9: More complex fixes for developers

If you know a lot about computers, here are some more complicated steps to take:

• Check File Permissions: Folders = 755, Files = 644.
• Check Error Logs via SSH or cPanel.
• Database Optimization: Clean up with phpMyAdmin or plugins like WP-Optimize.
• Staging Site Testing: Always test changes in staging before going live.

How to Stop WordPress 500 Errors in 2025

People often say that stopping something before it happens is better than fixing it.

The best ways to do it:

• WordPress, plugins, and themes should all be updated often.
• Do not install malicious or unlicensed plugins or themes.
• Use server companies you can trust.
• Back up your site often.
• Make sure your database is optimized.

2025 Insight:

You can now find mistakes before they cause downtime with AI-powered site monitoring tools such as Jetpack Protect and Patchstack.

Final Thoughts: Don’t worry, you can handle this.

Seeing a WordPress 500 Internal Server Error can be very frustrating. I know how you feel. Do not forget that it is not the end of the world. You’ll get your site back online if you wait and follow the steps we talked about.

For those who are stuck, you don’t have to spend hours stressing out.

• Visit our Website: Preet Web Vision.
• Call us at +63-9633112000
  Send an email to hello@preetwebvision.com.

Additionally, if you like watching videos, I post useful WordPress tips on my YouTube channels:

• Preet Tech Ideas (English)
• Preet WebXP (Hindi)

Have you ever had your site crash because of a 500 Internal Server Error? What caused it to happen, and how did you fix it? Leave your story in the comments, and it might help someone else.