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The Internal Server Error is a common issue in WordPress, and it can be caused by various factors, such as corrupted files, plugin conflicts, or server misconfigurations. Follow these step-by-step instructions to diagnose and fix the Internal Server Error in WordPress:
Step 1: Enable Debugging Mode
To identify the cause of the Internal Server Error, you need to enable WordPress debugging mode, which will display error messages on the screen. Open the wp-config.php file in the root directory of your WordPress installation and add the following lines just before the “That’s all, stop editing!” line:
define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false );
Save the file and refresh your website. If the Internal Server Error was caused by a PHP error, you should now see an error message on the screen, indicating the problematic file and line number.
Step 2: Check for Corrupted .htaccess File
A corrupted .htaccess file can often cause an Internal Server Error. Access your website via FTP or the File Manager in your hosting control panel and locate the .htaccess file in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
Rename the .htaccess file to something like .htaccess-old to disable it temporarily. Then, try accessing your website again. If the Internal Server Error disappears, it means that the .htaccess file was causing the issue.
Step 3: Regenerate .htaccess File
To regenerate the .htaccess file, go to your WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to Settings > Permalinks. Click the “Save Changes” button without making any changes. This will regenerate a new .htaccess file with the correct configuration.
Step 4: Deactivate All Plugins
Plugin conflicts can also lead to an Internal Server Error. To check if a plugin is causing the problem, access your website via FTP or the File Manager in your hosting control panel and navigate to the wp-content folder. Rename the plugins folder to something like plugins-disabled.
After renaming the plugins folder, go back to your website, and the plugins will be deactivated. Check if the Internal Server Error is resolved. If it is, then a plugin was causing the problem.
Step 5: Re-enable Plugins One by One
Now that you’ve identified that a plugin is causing the issue, you’ll need to find the problematic plugin. Rename the plugins-disabled folder back to plugins, and then activate each plugin one by one.
After activating each plugin, refresh your website to see if the Internal Server Error reappears. If it does, you’ve found the problematic plugin. Deactivate it again and consider finding an alternative or contacting the plugin developer for support.
Step 6: Check Server File Permissions
Incorrect file permissions on your server can also trigger an Internal Server Error. Make sure that the files and folders in your WordPress installation have the correct permissions. Generally, folders should have a permission of 755, and files should have a permission of 644.
Step 7: Increase PHP Memory Limit
If your website uses a lot of plugins or complex themes, it might be hitting the PHP memory limit, leading to an Internal Server Error. To increase the PHP memory limit, add the following line to your wp-config.php file, just before the “That’s all, stop editing!” line:
define( 'WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M' );
Save the file and refresh your website to see if the Internal Server Error is resolved.
Step 8: Check Server Logs
If the Internal Server Error is still not resolved, the issue might be with your server. Contact your hosting provider and ask them to check the server logs for any error messages or clues as to what might be causing the issue.
Step 9: Reinstall WordPress Core Files
If none of the above steps helped, the issue might be with your WordPress core files. Download a fresh copy of WordPress from WordPress.org. Extract the files and upload them (excluding the wp-content folder) to your website’s root directory, overwriting the existing files.
Step 10: Seek Professional Help
If you’ve followed all the steps above and the Internal Server Error still persists, it’s time to seek professional help. Contact us for our professional service for further assistance.
By following these step-by-step instructions, you can diagnose and fix the Internal Server Error in WordPress, ensuring that your website is accessible and functioning correctly. Remember to always back up your website before making any changes to avoid data loss.