WordPress outage
Site down: 500 error (Internal Server Error)
The 500 error is a generic server message: something stops it from responding, without saying what. On WordPress, the cause is almost always in a plugin, the .htaccess file or memory.
The symptoms
- The site shows "HTTP 500" or "Internal Server Error".
- The site and sometimes the admin are unreachable.
- The error appears on the whole site or only certain pages.
The likely causes
- A corrupted .htaccess file.
- A plugin or theme causing a fatal error.
- PHP memory exhausted.
- An incompatible PHP version.
- A corrupted core file or incorrect permissions.
What you can try yourself
Read the real message in the logs
The host's error logs, or WP_DEBUG, turn the generic 500 into a precise cause.
Rename the .htaccess file
Rename it, then reload the page. If it is the cause, regenerate it from Settings then Permalinks.
Disable the plugins
Over FTP, rename wp-content/plugins to disable everything, then re-enable one by one.
Increase the PHP memory
Add define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT','256M'); to wp-config.php.
Check the PHP version
A version change on the host's side can trigger a 500. Roll back to the previous version while you fix it.
When to call a professional
If the message stays opaque, if the outage hits a shop or a high-traffic site, or if nothing restores the site: a professional reads the server logs, traces the exact cause, restores if needed, and secures against a relapse, with no unnecessary downtime.
Frequently asked questions
What does the 500 error mean on WordPress?
It is a generic server error meaning it cannot process the request, without saying why. The cause is in the logs, often a plugin, the .htaccess or PHP memory.
How do I find the cause of a 500 error?
By checking the host's error logs or enabling WP_DEBUG. The precise message points to the plugin, file or limit involved.
Can a 500 error lose data?
No, usually. It is an execution problem, not a storage one. The content stays in the database, and the site returns once the cause is fixed.
We look at your site.
If we can recover it, we send you a clear price and a payment link. If we cannot, we tell you plainly, we charge nothing for that, and we can offer you a brand new site. Either way, you are never stuck.
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