How to Fix 500 Internal Server Errors

What is a 500 Internal Server Error? #

A 500 Internal Server Error is a generic server-side error indicating that the server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request. Unlike a 404 (Not Found), the 500 error means the problem lies within your website’s code or configuration.

Common Causes and Solutions #

1. Faulty .htaccess File: The most common cause. A simple syntax mistake in the .htaccess file can cause a 500 error.

   • Solution: Access your File Manager in cPanel or use FTP. Locate the .htaccess file in your root directory (public_html). Rename the file to htaccess.old. If your site loads, the issue was the file.

2. Incorrect File Permissions: Server scripts (like PHP) and directories require specific permissions to execute safely.

   • Solution: Use the File Manager in cPanel. Set folders to 755 permissions and files to 644 permissions. Never use 777 permissions.

3. PHP Timeout or Memory Limit: If a script takes too long or consumes too much memory, the server may terminate it with a 500 error.

   • Solution: Contact CyberWAF support to review your script execution time or check if your plan requires an upgrade to higher dedicated RAM/CPU resources.

WAF Interaction Troubleshooting #

If the error started immediately after installing a new WAF rule or plugin, refer to Article 7: How to Handle False Positives (Whitelisting) to rule out WAF-related blocks.