Troubleshooting HTTP 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress using cPanel Print

Introduction:

An HTTP 500 Internal Server Error in a WordPress website can be caused by various issues, such as plugin conflicts, theme issues, corrupted .htaccess files, or incorrect file permissions. This article provides a step-by-step guide to debug and resolve a 500 error in a WordPress website using cPanel.

Steps to Debug a 500 Error in WordPress using cPanel:

1. Enable WordPress Debugging: Enable debugging in the wp-config.php file to log errors in the debug.log file within the wp-content directory. Follow these steps:

• Open the wp-config.php file using the cPanel File Manager or an FTP client.
• Add the following lines of code before the "/* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */" line:

define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', true );
@ini_set( 'display_errors', 1 );

• Save and close the wp-config.php file.

2. Check the debug.log File: Navigate to the wp-content folder and open the debug.log file to check for error messages or warnings related to the issue.

3. Review Server Error Logs: In cPanel, locate the "Metrics" or "Logs" section and click on the "Error Log" icon to view the server's error logs, which may contain additional information about the 500 error.

4. Check the .htaccess File: Corrupted or incorrect .htaccess files can cause a 500 error. To verify this:

• Rename the .htaccess file in the root directory of your WordPress installation (e.g., to .htaccess_old).
• Refresh your website to see if the error is resolved.
• If the error is resolved, regenerate a new .htaccess file by going to your WordPress dashboard, then to "Settings" > "Permalinks" and clicking the "Save Changes" button.

5. Deactivate Plugins: Plugin conflicts can cause a 500 error. To deactivate all plugins:

• Rename the plugins folder within the wp-content folder (e.g., to plugins_old).
• Check your website to see if the error is resolved.
• If the error is resolved, rename the folder back to plugins and reactivate the plugins one by one in your WordPress dashboard to identify the problematic plugin.

6. Switch to a Default Theme: A theme issue can cause a 500 error. To check this:

• Rename your current theme's folder within the wp-content/themes folder (e.g., to my_theme_old).
• WordPress will automatically switch to a default theme.
• Check your website to see if the error is resolved.

7. Verify File Permissions: Incorrect file permissions can cause a 500 error. Typically, directories should have a permission of 755, and files should have a permission of 644. To check and modify file permissions in the cPanel File Manager, right-click on a file or folder and select "Change Permissions".

Conclusion:

If none of these steps resolve the issue, consider contacting your web host's support team for assistance, as the error may be related to server-side settings or configuration. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve the HTTP 500 Internal Server Error in your WordPress website using cPanel.