Don’t Panic! Fixing the 500 Internal Server Error in Your WooCommerce Store
Seeing the “”500 Internal Server Error”” page appear when you try to access your WooCommerce store is frustrating and worrying. This cryptic error message can stop your customers from browsing or purchasing and cause you to lose valuable sales.
The good news is that in most cases, the 500 internal server error can be fixed with some targeted troubleshooting. With this guide, you’ll be able to get your WooCommerce store back online quickly.
Understanding the 500 Internal Server Error
The 500 internal server error indicates that the web server hosting your WooCommerce store encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request.
Some common triggers for this error include:
- Plugin conflicts – An incompatible or buggy plugin can disrupt normal operations.
- Theme issues – Outdated or improperly coded themes can also cause conflicts.
- Resource exhaustion – Too many requests overwhelming available memory or CPU on the server.
- Permissions errors – Incorrect file/folder permissions preventing proper access.
- Web server misconfiguration – Errors in the Nginx or Apache server settings.
The exact cause can be tricky to pinpoint, but carefully troubleshooting your WordPress and WooCommerce environment will reveal what’s disrupting normal functioning.
Troubleshooting Steps
Follow these steps to methodically diagnose and address the 500 internal server error:
1. Check WordPress Site Health
Log into your WordPress dashboard and go to Tools > Site Health. Review the various checks for any issues or warnings related to overall site operation.
Learn more about using Site Health»
2. Clear Caches
Cached data can sometimes become corrupted or out-of-date. Clear your site caches and browser cache.
Popular caching plugins like WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, and WP Fastest Cache include cache clearing options.
3. Switch to a Default Theme
Activate the default WordPress theme (Twenty Twenty-One or Twenty Twenty) to isolate whether your active theme is causing conflicts. If the error persists, switch back to your normal theme.
4. Disable All Plugins
Temporarily disable all plugins from the Plugins page, which will reveal if a plugin incompatibility is responsible. Re-enable plugins one by one, checking after each, until you identify any problematic plugins.
5. Review Error Logs
Check the server and PHP error logs for details on the specific error occurring. The logs provide the most detailed troubleshooting information.
Learn how to access PHP and other error logs »
6. Increase PHP Memory Limit
If your site has grown considerably, the 500 error may stem from insufficient PHP memory. Increase the PHP memory limit in wp-config.php file.
Learn how to increase PHP memory limit »
7. Contact Your Hosting Provider
For ongoing 500 errors, contact your hosting provider’s technical support, who can check server logs and configuration for potential causes like exhausted resources or .htaccess issues.
Additional Tips and Resources
- Always keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated to the latest versions to avoid conflicts.
- Choose reputable plugins and themes that are well-coded and widely used.
- Back up your site frequently in case you need to revert to a previous version.
- Learn how to leverage WooCommerce logs and other debugging techniques.
- Use a site monitoring tool like Pingdom to receive alerts if your site is down.
- The WooCommerce support forums provide a wealth of community knowledge for troubleshooting.
The 500 internal server error may seem ominous, but some targeted debugging should get your store back up and running smoothly. No online business should lose sales due to technical hiccups, so be sure to address any errors promptly.
Resources
Troubleshooting Your WooCommerce Store: FAQs
What are some common causes of the 500 internal server error in WooCommerce?
Some common triggers are plugin conflicts, outdated or buggy themes, exhausted server resources, permissions issues, and web server misconfiguration. Checking site health, caches, plugins, themes, and server logs will help reveal the cause.
How can I prevent future 500 errors in my WooCommerce store?
Keep WordPress, WooCommerce, themes, and plugins updated. Choose reputable extensions, watch for conflicts, back up your site regularly, monitor site health, and increase PHP memory limit if needed.
My site is showing a 500 error. What should I do first?
Start by clearing any caches, deactivating plugins, and switching to a default theme to isolate the cause. Also check Site Health, error logs, and contact your host if needed. Address any issues methodically.
I activated a new plugin and now see a 500 error. What should I do?
The new plugin is likely causing a conflict. Revert to a backup from before installing the plugin if possible. If not, deactivate the new plugin and reactivate your other plugins until you identify the conflict.
How do I know if my hosting resources are causing the 500 error?
Contact your host to check if your site is using too much memory or CPU. Also check if increasing the PHP memory limit helps resolve the issue. Upgrading your hosting plan may be required.