500 error on your website? here’s a marketers guide on how to fix one

Website down? Ads still running? That’s a 500 error eating your budget. It’s not just a tech glitch – every click you’ve paid for is wasted, customers can’t buy, and your brand looks broken.

What is a 500 error?

Plugin and theme issues on CMS platforms like WordPress – Faulty or incompatible plugins and themes can disrupt server operations.

It’s the server’s way of saying “something’s wrong, but I can’t tell you what.” Unlike a 404 (missing page), a 500 is a blanket error. It could be a hosting hiccup, a misconfigured file, or outdated software – the point is, your site is offline. Because the error does not specify the exact problem, diagnosing it can be challenging, but understanding the underlying causes is the first step in resolving it.

Why it matters to marketers

• Money wasted: Your PPC campaigns keep running while your site is down.
• Trust lost: First-time visitors bounce and don’t come back.
• SEO impact: Search engines notice repeated downtime.

What you can do right now without a developer stepping in

• Refresh the page – sometimes it’s a momentary blip.
• Test in another browser or network to rule out local issues.
• If it persists, pause paid campaigns until the site is back up.
• Check with your hosting provider to confirm if it’s their end.

Several issues can lead to a 500 server error. Often, these include:

• Misconfigured .htaccess files – A syntax error or wrong directive can trigger the error.
• Incorrect file and folder permissions – Files typically need to be set to 644 and folders 755 for proper access.
• PHP errors – Faulty scripts or outdated PHP versions can result in the error.
• Database problems – Corrupted databases or incorrect database credentials are frequent causes.

Understanding these common causes is essential to pinpointing the reason behind the error on your website.

Advanced Solutions for Stubborn 500 Server Errors

In situations where basic troubleshooting does not resolve the error, consider the following advanced methods:

1. Update or Change the PHP Version: An outdated or incompatible version of PHP might lead to server errors. Switching to another version can resolve issues with script execution.
2. Regenerate the .htaccess File: If there’s suspicion that the .htaccess file is corrupted, rename the existing file and create a new one. For WordPress sites, visiting the Permalinks settings and resaving them can automatically generate a fresh .htaccess file.
3. Increase PHP Memory Limit: Sometimes scripts run out of memory leading to errors. Increasing the PHP memory limit in your php.ini file can provide a remedy.
4. Repair or Restore Your Database: Should your error logs indicate that the problem is tied to the database, consider running repair commands or restoring from a backup. For WordPress, verify that your wp-config.php contains the correct database credentials.

How to prevent repeated 500 errors

Downtime isn’t random bad luck it’s usually down to poor infrastructure, outdated platforms, or cheap hosting. Regular updates, monitoring, and a reliable hosting setup are the basics.

The bigger picture

If your site is prone to 500 errors, that’s a sign your digital foundations aren’t built for growth. A shaky platform drains ad budgets and puts revenue at risk.

At Door4, we help ambitious brands design robust, scalable systems so your marketing spend isn’t wasted keeping the lights on. Strong architecture means fewer outages, smoother campaigns, and growth that doesn’t get derailed by preventable tech issues.