How to Fix WP Admin Error 500 (WordPress Internal Server Error) – 5 Proven Solutions

Are you seeing a WP Admin error 500 or Internal Server Error when trying to access your WordPress dashboard? You’re not alone. The HTTP error 500 is one of the most common WordPress errors, but also one of the trickiest to fix because it can have many causes. In this guide, we’ll explain exactly what a 500 Internal Server Error means, what can trigger it, and share 5 proven solutions you can try yourself—even if you’re not a developer.

What Is a WP Admin Error 500?

A WP Admin Error 500, also known as an Internal Server Error, means your server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling your request. Unlike more specific errors (like “404 Not Found”), a 500 error is generic—so you’ll need to do some troubleshooting to find the real cause.

Common reasons for the 500 error include: corrupted .htaccess files, faulty plugins or themes, exhausted PHP memory, server misconfigurations, or incompatible PHP versions. That’s why it’s important to consider what has changed on your site recently—such as updates, new plugins, or code edits.

WP Admin Error 500: 5 Solutions That Work

Fixing the WP Admin error 500 can take a little detective work. Here are five solutions, from most common to more advanced. Try them one by one:

1. Check for Recent Changes: Plugins, Themes, or Code Edits

   The majority of 500 errors are caused by problems with plugins, themes, or custom code changes. Think back: Did you recently update WordPress, install a new plugin or theme, or make code changes? If so, try reverting those changes. If you have a backup from before the issue started, restore it and see if the error disappears.

2. Reset Your .htaccess File

   A corrupted or incorrect .htaccess file is a frequent culprit for Internal Server Errors. Connect to your website via FTP or your hosting control panel. Find the .htaccess file in your root folder (often public_html, private_html, or httpdocs/httpsdocs). Rename it to .htaccess-backup. Then log into WordPress (if you can), go to Settings > Permalinks, and click Save—this creates a new, clean .htaccess file automatically. Now check if the error is gone.

3. Deactivate All Plugins

   Faulty or incompatible plugins are another major cause of WP Admin error 500. If you can access your WordPress dashboard, deactivate all plugins. If this resolves the error, reactivate each plugin one at a time to find the culprit. If you can’t log in, use FTP to rename your wp-content/plugins folder to plugins-old, which disables all plugins. Rename it back to restore them.

4. Check and Change Your PHP Version

   Some plugins and themes are not compatible with the latest PHP versions, which can trigger a 500 error. Log in to your hosting control panel (like DirectAdmin, cPanel, or Plesk), and try switching to an older or recommended PHP version (for example, PHP 7.4 or 8.0). Save the changes and reload your site.

5. Increase the PHP Memory Limit

   If your site is running out of memory, you may see a 500 error. To increase the limit, create a file called php.ini or edit your existing one. Add this line:

   memory_limit = 128M

   Save the file and upload it to your /wp-admin/ folder using FTP. Alternatively, you can add this line to your wp-config.php file:

   define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '128M');

   Now reload your site and check if the error is resolved.

Bonus Tips: Debugging the 500 Internal Server Error in WordPress

• Enable Debugging: Add the following lines to your wp-config.php file to enable error reporting and see more details:

  
  define('WP_DEBUG', true);
  define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
  define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);
        

  Error details will be saved in wp-content/debug.log.
• Check Server Error Logs: Many hosting panels (like DirectAdmin or cPanel) have a section to view server logs, which may show the specific error.

How to Prevent WP Admin Error 500 in the Future

Prevention is better than cure! Always keep your plugins, themes, and WordPress core up to date to reduce the risk of conflicts and errors. Also, choose reliable WordPress hosting and make regular backups before making changes.

Do you want someone to keep your website and software up to date for you? Contact our team about our WordPress maintenance and software modernisation services.

The Above Solutions Didn’t Work?

Still seeing the WP Admin error 500 after trying all the steps above? Don’t worry. Sometimes the problem is deeper or requires server-level adjustments. Get in touch with our experts—we’re happy to help you get your WordPress website back online!

Looking for more WordPress tips? Explore our blog for more guides on domain registration, hosting, and troubleshooting website issues.