What does HTTP status code 500 mean? What should I do if I see this error?

Error 500 what does it mean?

An HTTP 500 internal server error indicates that your web server is having issues, but it is unable to identify the precise error or its fundamental causes. When this happens, users will see a general internal server error web page on your website.

Here are a few examples of how you could encounter the HTTP error code 500:

• 500. That’s an error
• HTTP Error 500
• 500 Error
• HTTP 500 Internal Error
• Internal Server Error
• Temporary Error (500)
• HTTP 500 – Internal Server Error
• 500 Internal Server Error

Because a 500 Internal Server Error is issued by the website you’re viewing, you might encounter one in any browser on any operating system, including your smartphone.

Most of the time, it appears within the browser window, exactly like online pages.

The Root Cause of HTTP 500 Errors

Internal Server Error signals, as previously said, implying that something is wrong in general.

Most of the time, “wrong” refers to a fault with the page’s or site’s code, but there’s a chance the issue is on your end, which we’ll look at more below.

How to Troubleshoot 500 Internal Server Errors on Your Website

A 500 Internal Server Error on your website necessitates a whole new approach. As previously said, most 500 problems are server-side failures, which means it’s most likely your issue to resolve if it’s your website.

There are several reasons why your site may be returning a 500 Error to your users, however, the following are the most common:

• In.htaccess, there is a coding error. While it is not as prevalent, make sure that your site’s.htaccess file is properly formatted.
• A PHP Timeout has occurred. HTTP errors 500 might occur if your script links to external resources and those resources time out. If this is the reason for the 500 problem, timeout rules or improved error handling in your script should assist.
• A Permissions Error has occurred. A 500 Internal Server Error is typically caused by improper permissions on one or more files or directories. The majority of the time, erroneous permission on a PHP or CGI script is to blame. Typically, this should be set to 0755. (-rwxr-xr-x).

If you’re using Joomla, WordPress, or another content management or CMS system, look for more specific help troubleshooting a 500 Internal Server Error in their support centers.

If you aren’t utilizing an off-the-shelf content management system, your web hosting provider, such as IONOS (1&1), Dreamhost, InMotion, and others, will most likely have some 500 Error support that is more unique to your scenario.

More possible causes of an internal server issue

The notice appears on Internet Explorer. The website’s inability to show the page frequently displays an HTTP 500 Internal Server Error. Another option is a 405 Method Not Allowed error, which you may rule out by searching for 500 or 405 in the IE title bar.

When Google services, such as Gmail, encounter the mistake, they frequently report a Temporary Error (500), or simply 500.

When Windows Update is involved, the message 0x8024401F error or WU_E_PT_HTTP_STATUS_SERVER_ERROR is shown.

How to Troubleshoot a 500 Internal Server Error

Unlike other server-side failures such as a 502 or a 503, a 500 internal server error does not instantly inform you what the problem is or how to repair it. If the issue remains on your site for an extended period, it may have a detrimental influence on your SEO.

So, let’s look at some of the possible sources of the issue.

Possible Sources of a 500 Internal Server Error

A 500 internal server error, as the name suggests, is caused by a general issue with the website’s server. This most likely indicates a problem or transient bug with the website’s code.

The following are some possible causes of a 500 internal server error:

• The PHP memory limit has been reached.
• Themes or third-party plugins that aren’t working properly
• A permissions error
• .htaccess file is corrupted or damaged

Luckily, there are a handful of simple fixes to most of these issues.

If You Get a 500 Internal Server Error When Trying to Load a Page:

1. Reload the page.

This may sound simple, but if it’s a momentary loading issue, refreshing the website may help. Reload the page and see what happens before attempting anything else on this list.

2. Return later.

Because the fault occurs on the server-side, I’m sure the website owners are working hard to address the problem as soon as possible. Allow a few minutes, up to an hour, and then refresh the URL to check whether the development team has resolved the issue.

3. Delete the cookies from your browser.

If wiping the browser history doesn’t help, you might try erasing the cookies in your browser. If the cookies are linked to the error-prone webpage, removing the cookies may assist in reloading the page.

4. Paste your URL into the “Down for Everyone or Just Me” website.

Go to downforeveryoneorjustme.com and enter the URL where you’re getting the internal server error. You’ll be advised that the website is only unavailable for you, or that it is offline for everyone.

If the issue is with your server, this must alleviate any fears that it is an issue with your PC.

If the 500 Internal Server Error occurs on your website, follow these steps:

1. Turn off a theme or plugin

Newly installed third-party scripts, add-ons, and software may be incompatible with your existing server setup. To figure out what’s generating the internal server issue, try (carefully) disabling or removing your software add-ons one at a time.

This is simple to implement using plugins if you have a WordPress website. Choose Plugins > Installed Plugins from your dashboard, then disable the first plugin. If the error goes away, you know this plugin is to blame. Reactivate the first plugin, then follow this step for other plugins one at a time to find which ones are generating your issue.

Having fewer open plugins on your site may make things function more efficiently.

Conversely, if you just updated your program, your existing themes or plugins may no longer be familiar with the latest version. The easiest approach to uncover the core cause of your problem is to deactivate themes or plugins one at a time until the error vanishes.

2. Identify the problem with a plugin such as WP Debugging.

If your site is hosted by WordPress and you’re familiar with WordPress debugging procedures, try installing a plugin to assist you in identifying the problem with your server.

WP Debugging, for example, can assist you to find out exactly what’s wrong with your site, resulting in a faster remedy.

3. Check that your PHP configuration is proper.

If the problem is caused by a PHP timeout, consider implementing error handling or timeout rules in your script to remedy it. Here’s a complete list of php.ini directives for configuring your PHP installation

Furthermore, incorrect permissions on a file or folder containing a script, such as a PHP or CGI script, can prevent the script from running. Examine your permissions and ensure that they are configured appropriately on your server.

4. Examine the code in your site’s.htaccess file

The 500 internal issues might be caused by incorrect coding or an incorrect structure in your.htaccess file. The.htaccess file allows you to specify how long resources should be cached in a browser. If you receive a 500 internal server error, try making changes to the file.

To find your.htaccess file, navigate to your website’s files using a file manager such as cPanel or FTP/SFTP. The file will most likely be in your public_html directory. It’s possible that your server will conceal this file by default, and you’ll need to enable hidden files to see it.

An HTTP 500 internal server error can also be caused by coding issues in custom scripts and .htaccess.

5. Ensure that your new software is properly installed.

Lastly, check to verify if the program you recently upgraded or installed indeed failed to upgrade or install. See the vendor’s website for details on how to update your software.

As a last resort, seek assistance from a server administrator

If debugging server-side scripts or troubleshooting common software problems doesn’t resolve your HTTP 500 internal server error, you must read up on the most likely reasons for this sort of problem in your server’s documentation — an HTTP 500 internal server error can occur in various operating systems for a variety of reasons.

You can also request that your service provider examine your error logs for evidence of the root cause of your problem.

Internal server failures are vexing because they are unhelpful — they are the web server’s way of putting, “Eh, I’m not sure.” Perhaps, one of the above steps will cure the problem and allow you to resume your normal life.