500 Internal Server Error
A 500 internal server error is a generic 'something went wrong on the server' message. Unlike a 404 (page not found), a 500 means the page exists but the server hit a problem trying to build it.
Also known as: 500 error · internal server error · http 500
In plain English
A 500 internal server error is the server's all-purpose "something broke" message. The page you asked for is really there, but while the server was putting it together, it hit an error it couldn't recover from — so instead of your page, you get the 500. Because it's a catch-all, the message itself doesn't say what went wrong, which is part of what makes it frustrating.
Why it matters for your business
A 500 error usually means visitors are seeing an error page instead of your site — so it's effectively downtime, with all the lost sales and trust that brings. And since the message is vague, it's the kind of problem that sends people guessing and clicking randomly, which can make things worse. The site is down until the underlying cause is found and cleared.
What usually causes it
Most often a plugin or theme conflict, a server configuration issue, or your hosting running out of memory. Tracing it to the exact cause — rather than guessing — is the whole job, and it's usually a quick fix once found.
Common questions
- Is a 500 error serious?
- It can be — it usually means part or all of your site is down for visitors, so it's worth looking at quickly. The cause is often a single plugin, a theme issue, a server setting, or a memory limit, and once it's found the fix is usually fast.
- How is a 500 error different from a 404?
- A 404 means the page doesn't exist. A 500 means the page does exist, but the server ran into an error while loading it. A 500 points to something broken behind the scenes, not just a wrong address.
Related terms
Run into this on your site?
Emergency WordPress Fixes