What is it 500 internal server error?
Experiencing a 500 Internal Server Error on your website can be frustrating. However, with a few straightforward troubleshooting steps, you can often resolve 500 Internal Server Error issues. This guide provides clear tips to help you quickly identify and fix the problem, ensuring your site runs smoothly.
What to look for
- Recent FTP changes: If you’ve recently modified files via FTP, reverse those changes to check if the error clears up.
- Review the error log: Log into cPanel and click on ‘Error Log’, or open the error_log file located in your “public_html” directory. Look for any specific error messages that might help identify the cause.
- Check file size: Access your FTP and check the size of the error_log file in the ‘public_html‘ directory. If the file is unusually large, delete it and see if the error is resolved.
What a 500 internal server error Looks Like
You might see a message similar to this:
Internal Server Error
Your server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and couldn’t complete your request.
Please contact the server administrator at webmaster@domain.com and provide details about the time the error occurred, along with any recent changes you made.More information about this error may be available in the server error log.
Additionally, a 500 Internal Server Error might appear when attempting to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.
Solution
To resolve a 500 internal server error:
- Revert recent changes: If you modified files or settings, undo these changes to see if they caused the error.
- Examine the error log: Look for specific error messages in the log that could pinpoint the issue, such as file permissions or misconfigurations.
- Clear the error log file: If the error log is large, clear it to ensure it doesn’t contribute to server overload.
Conclusion
By following these troubleshooting steps, you can quickly identify and fix the root cause of a 500 Internal Server Error. At Network Dynamics, we provide reliable hosting solutions designed to minimise such issues and keep your website running at peak performance. If you continue to encounter problems, our dedicated support team is available to help you resolve them.
