How to Fix the 500 Internal Server Error on Your WordPress Website (Divi)

The 500 Internal Server Error is one of the most common server errors you may encounter while using a WordPress site. When this error occurs, your site stops working, and visitors cannot access the pages. This error can be extremely frustrating, but there are several ways to fix it quickly and effectively.

Reasons for the 500 Error

Many reasons can lead to this error, such as issues in .htaccess files, problems with plugins, or even server limitations. In this article, we will discuss the main causes and how to resolve them.

1. Check .htaccess Files

Sometimes, a corrupted .htaccess file can lead to a 500 error. To resolve this issue, users can rename this file and then try to access the site again. If the problem is resolved, a new .htaccess file can be created from the WordPress dashboard.

How to Rename the .htaccess File:

Log in to your FTP account or use the hosting control panel.
Locate the .htaccess file in the root directory of the site.
Rename the file to .htaccess_old.
Try to open the site again.
If the problem is fixed, you can create a new .htaccess file from within the WordPress dashboard.

2. Disable Plugins

Sometimes plugins are the cause of the 500 error. You can try disabling all plugins and then reactivating them one by one to identify the plugin causing the issue.

How to Disable Plugins:

Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
Go to the Plugins page.
Disable all plugins.
If the problem is resolved, you can activate plugins one by one to see which one causes the error.

3. Increase the Memory Limit in WordPress

A 500 error may appear if the site needs more memory than what is allocated on the server. To increase the memory limit in WordPress, you can modify the wp-config.php file.

How to Increase the Memory Limit:

Open the wp-config.php file in your site's root using FTP or the file manager in the hosting control panel.
Add the following line before the line That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging.:
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
Save the changes and reload the site.

4. Check Server Logs

In some cases, server logs may provide more information about the cause of the 500 error. You can check these logs for clues about the problem. Some service providers allow you to access these logs from the hosting control panel.

5. Switch to a Default WordPress Theme

If the problem is not resolved using the previous methods, it may be related to the theme you are using. You can try switching to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-One to see if the problem persists.

How to Switch to a Default WordPress Theme:

Go to the WordPress dashboard.
Navigate to Appearance then Themes.
Select a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One and activate it.
Check if the problem is fixed.

6. Contact Your Hosting Provider

If you are unable to resolve the problem using the above steps, the issue may be related to a server problem or specific server settings. In this case, it is best to contact your hosting provider and ask for assistance.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily fix the 500 Internal Server Error on your WordPress website. Remember that some causes may be beyond your control, so don't hesitate to reach out to your hosting provider's support if the problem persists.

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How to Fix the 500 Internal Server Error on Your WordPress Website (Divi)