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This article provides a clear troubleshooting process and fixing the “500 Internal Server Error” that can suddenly break your website. It explains what causes this error, from misconfigured files to server overloads. You'll learn to read error logs, spot common issues, and quickly restore your site.
What suddenly causes a site to break with a “500 Internal Server Error”? It usually works fine—until it doesn’t. This unexpected error can interrupt service, damage trust, and affect business.
As websites handle more requests and logic, the chance of server errors increases. One wrong line of code or a broken configuration can trigger one, so it’s important to fix it quickly.
This blog clearly explains how to fix the "request failed with status code 500" error. You’ll learn about common causes, what error logs mean, and how to fix problems like broken PHP scripts or faulty .htaccess files.
Let’s walk through the steps to get your site back on track.
Understand what a 500 internal server error means
Learn server-side causes and how to identify them
Discover actionable troubleshooting techniques to fix the error
Know when to check logs, files, or server configurations
Learn how to prevent this error from recurring
A 500 internal server error is a generic response from a web server. It signals that the server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from completing the request. This means the server recognizes the failure but can’t pinpoint the exact problem in the error message shown to the user.
Technically, the HTTP status code 500 implies:
The server cannot fulfill the request due to an unexpected condition, but no specific error code is returned to explain the problem.
This often happens when:
A script crashes during execution
The PHP file is misconfigured
The server configuration is wrong
An .htaccess file contains invalid rules
The website’s server is overloaded
Follow these steps to resolve a request failed with a status code 500 error. Start with basic checks and progress to advanced debugging.
Sometimes the server encountered a temporary unexpected condition. Hit refresh (F5) to retry the request.
Old cached files or corrupted cookies may interfere. Clearing the browser's cache may restore the web page.
Misconfigured .htaccess files can trigger 500 errors.
1# Common .htaccess rule causing issues 2RewriteEngine On 3RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f 4RewriteRule ^ index.PHP [QSA,L]
Rename .htaccess to .htaccess_backup
Reload the web page
If it works, the .htaccess file needs correcting
Examine server logs and error logs for detailed traces of the error message.
1# Example Apache error log path 2/var/log/apache2/error.log
Search for keywords like 500, fatal, or PHP errors to determine the root cause.
A faulty PHP file or script can break the server response.
Turn on display_errors in PHP.ini
Use error_log() to log issues to the error log
Example:
1<?PHP 2error_log("Debug: Entering this section", 0); 3?>
Incorrect permissions block server access to critical files:
| File Type | Recommended Permission |
|---|---|
| Files (.PHP) | 644 |
| Directories | 755 |
Avoid 777 as it exposes your server to attacks.
If using WordPress or similar:
Rename /wp-content/plugins to /plugins_old
Reload the page
Reactivate plugins one by one
A memory exhaustion issue can cause a 500 error.
Modify the PHP.ini or .htaccess:
1PHP_value memory_limit 256M
Or add in .htaccess:
1PHP_value max_execution_time 300
Wrong server configuration in Apache/Nginx files may lead to internal server error messages. Validate syntax:
1apachectl configtest
If all else fails, contact your hosting server provider. Provide:
Error logs
Exact time of error
Steps to reproduce
They can determine if it's related to load, permissions, or backend infrastructure.
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| Feature | 500 Internal Server Error | 404 Not Found |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Server encountered an issue | Client requested page not found |
| HTTP Status Code | 500 | 404 |
| Root Cause | Unexpected condition on the server | Wrong URL or missing file |
| Fix Location | Server-side | Client or content issue |
| Is it temporary? | Often | May be permanent |
Corrupt .htaccess file
Misconfigured PHP file
Missing dependencies in server
Failing database connection
Faulty script
Broken server configuration
Overloaded hosting server
Contact your hosting server provider if:
You cannot access logs
The problem persists
You suspect a backend connection or resource limit
You're unsure of the root cause
Prepare to share your error logs, file paths, recent changes, and error messages.
A “request failed with status code 500” means something is broken deep in your server—often hidden in code, configuration, or resource limits. Each fix shared earlier helps isolate what’s wrong and quickly brings your site back online. Don’t wait for repeated errors to affect uptime or trust.
Start your fix now to reduce downtime and keep your site running smoothly. Quick action protects performance and helps maintain a stable, trustworthy experience.
