What Is the 500 internal Server error?

When attempting to access a website with information such as a forum or software created for blogs, sometimes you will get the 500 internal server error due to server side software issues.

What Causes the 500 internal Server Error?

The 500 internal server error is created because of a few potential problems. This problem is often caused by syntax or a directive in a .htaccess or simular config file being is invalid. It is also possible that the problem could be caused by a missing php.ini file or one that is unreadable. On rare occations the 500 internal server error is due to file size limitation set by the file system and server that are restricting levels too low.

How to Fix the 500 internal Server Error

More times then not the problem causing the 500 internal server error is due to a invalid .htaccess directive.

Steps:

1. Begin by checking to see if your .htaccess is interfering with the page you are attempting to load. This can be achieved by temporarily renaming the .htaccess file, or completely removing it, and then attempting to reload the URL for the page you are desiring in your browser.
2. If on your website you are the individual who put the .htaccess in to effect then check the .htaccess configurations to see if there are any mistakes written. If you are not the one responsible then you will need to contact your webmaster, or the person responsible for the .htaccess.
3. Finally check to see if the reconfigured .htaccess will now allow you to load the page. If you are uncertain about the syntax of the .htaccess file, or if you are still experiencing the 500 internal server error and believe it may be the .htaccess file there are some free .htaccess syntax validators available on line that will check the file for you.

Good luck!