Internal Server Error (Error 500)

Internal Server Error 500 is error that can occur on a web page, in this article I will explain how to resolve this issue. This error indicates that the server is having a problem and is unable to process the request that was sent to it. There are several different causes that can lead to an Internal Server Error 500, and some of the most common include problem with a PHP scripts, incorrect file or folder permissions, and errors in the server's configuration files.

When an Internal Server Error 500 occurs, the user typically sees an error message on their screen. The message may look something like this: "Internal Server Error 500. The server has an internal error and is unable to process your request". If you are the owner of the website where the error occurred, you will likely want to find out what caused the error and fix it as quickly as possible.

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Server logs and error_log files

One of the first things you should do if you encounter an Internal Server Error 500 is to check your server logs. The logs can often provide valuable information about what caused the error and can help you to find the source of the problem. If you are unsure how to access your server logs, you may want to contact your hosting provider for assistance.

If you are using shared hosting, server log is probably named error_log and it is usually created in directory where error occured. Take a look in your public_html directory or public directory, depending on your server configuration or where your site files are stored.

Once you have accessed your server logs, you can start looking for clues as to what caused the Internal Server Error 500. If the error was caused by a faulty PHP script, you may see an error message in the logs that indicates which script is causing the problem. In this case, you will need to review the script and make any necessary changes to fix the error. If you have a backup copy of the site files, sometimes this can help to fix this issue.

File and folder permissions (CHMOD)

Another common cause of Internal Server Error 500 is incorrect file or folder permissions. In order for your website to function properly, the server needs to be able to read and write to certain files and folders. If the permissions on these files and folders are set incorrectly, the server may be unable to access them, which can cause an Internal Server Error 500.

If you suspect that incorrect file or folder permissions are causing the error, you will need to check the permissions on the affected files and folders and make sure they are set correctly. This can typically be done through your hosting control panel or by using a tool like FTP to connect to your server.

Server's configuration files

In some cases, Internal Server Error 500 can be caused by errors in the server's configuration files. These files contain important information about how the server should function, and if there are any errors in these files, it can cause the server to malfunction. If you suspect that this is the cause of the error, you will need to review the configuration files and make any necessary changes to fix the issue.