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Troubleshooting

How to fix a 500 Internal Server Error

Common causes of 500 errors and what to check first.

Updated 15 May 2026

How to fix a 500 Internal Server Error

A 500 error means the server could not complete the request. It is often caused by a script, permissions issue or .htaccess rule.

Check .htaccess

Use File Manager and rename .htaccess to .htaccess-old. If the site loads, the issue is likely inside that file.

Check permissions

Folders are normally 755 and files are normally 644. Unsafe permissions can cause errors.

Check PHP errors

Look for Errors in cPanel or enable debugging in your application where appropriate.

Check recent changes

If the error started after an update, upload or plugin change, reverse that change or restore from backup.

Need support?

Send the domain, exact time the error happened and any recent changes.