How to fix 500 Internal Server Error {Troubleshoot}

This error, often a thorn in the side of website owners and developers, signifies a generic issue on the server side that prevents your website from loading correctly.

As daunting as it may seem, fear not. Diagnosing and fixing a 500 Internal Server Error can be straightforward with the right approach.

Understanding the 500 Internal Server Error

A 500 Internal Server Error is a server-side issue that indicates a misconfiguration or problem within the server that hosts your website. It’s a broad error message that doesn’t specify the exact problem, making it somewhat challenging to troubleshoot. However, with a keen eye and a systematic approach, we can unravel the mystery behind this error.

Start with Basic Troubleshooting

1. Reload the Page: Sometimes, the issue could be temporary. A quick refresh might resolve it.
2. Clear Your Browser Cache: Cached data in your browser can lead to this error. Clearing your browser cache might solve the problem.

Here are easy steps to clear your cache on both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox:

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome: Start by opening your Chrome browser.
2. Access the Menu: Click on the three dots in the window’s upper-right corner to open the Chrome menu.
3. Go to More Tools: Hover over “More tools” in the dropdown menu, then click on “Clear browsing data…” from the submenu that appears.
4. Choose the Time Range: In the “Clear browsing data” window, you’ll see a “Time range” dropdown. Select “All time” to clear everything, or choose a specific time range.
5. Select Data to Clear: Check the box next to “Cached images and files.” You can also select other types of data to clear, such as browsing history or cookies, but it’s unnecessary if you only aim to clear the cache.
6. Clear Data: Click the “Clear data” button. Chrome will then clear your selected cache and data.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Firefox: Launch your Firefox browser.
2. Open the Menu: Click on the three horizontal lines in the upper-right corner to open the menu.
3. Go to Options: Click “Options” if you’re on Windows, or “Preferences” if you’re on a Mac.
4. Access Privacy & Security: From the menu on the left, select “Privacy & Security.“
5. Scroll to Cookies and Site Data: Here, you will see a section named “Cookies and Site Data.” Click the “Clear Data…” button within this section.
6. Choose What to Clear: Ensure “Cached Web Content” is checked in the pop-up window. You can leave “Cookies and Site Data” unchecked if you only want to clear the cache.
7. Clear the Cache: Click the “Clear” button to remove your cached web content.
8. Close and Reopen Firefox: It’s a good practice to close and reopen your browser after clearing the cache for changes to take full effect.

Dive Deeper with Advanced Troubleshooting

Check Server Logs

Checking the server logs is important. It can provide detailed insights into what’s causing the error.

Look for any error messages that occurred around the time your website started experiencing issues.

The .htaccess File Configuration

An incorrectly configured .htaccess file on Apache servers is a frequent source of 500 errors. If you’ve recently modified this file, revert the changes and see if it resolves the issue.

Read: How to Edit .htaccess File

Permissions and Ownership

Incorrect file permissions or ownership can lead to a 500 Internal Server Error. Files should generally be set to 644 and directories to 755. Ensure these are correctly set for your website’s files and folders.

Code and Script Errors

Errors in your website’s code can trigger a 500 error. If you’ve recently updated your site or are developing it, check your code for mistakes. For CMS users, such as WordPress, disabling plugins or themes one by one can help identify the problematic component.