Preventative Measures and Best Practices

How to Fix Internal Server 500 Error in Elementor (7 Ways)

ByVictor

Dealing with a server 500 error in Elementor can stop your WordPress site editing in its tracks. 

It’s frustrating when you’re in the middle of designing a page, only to have everything crash with this mysterious error message.

The 500 internal server error in Elementor happens when your server can’t process the request due to memory limits, plugin conflicts, or corrupted files. 

This common problem prevents you from editing your site or saving changes, bringing your workflow to a sudden halt.

You don’t need to panic when you see this error. With several proven fixes available, you can usually solve the problem quickly and get back to building your site.

From increasing PHP memory limits to checking plugin conflicts, the solutions are straightforward even if you’re not a technical expert.

About Server 500 Errors in WordPress

Server 500 Errors in WordPress refer to generic HTTP status codes that indicate the server has encountered an unexpected issue, preventing it from fulfilling a request. 

These errors typically stem from server-side problems and can be difficult to diagnose due to their broad scope. 

Below are some common causes and potential solutions for resolving Server 500 Errors in WordPress:

Common Causes of 500 Internal Server Error

Several common issues can trigger this error in WordPress sites using Elementor:

Plugin conflicts often cause these errors. 

When two plugins, for instance, try to modify the same function, they can create conflicts that crash your server. Outdated plugins are particularly problematic.

Overloaded databases frequently trigger 500 errors. This happens when your database has too many revisions, transients, or orphaned data.

Corrupted WordPress core files can also lead to server errors. This might happen after a failed update or if files are modified incorrectly.

Theme compatibility issues with Elementor sometimes create 500 errors when templates try to load elements the theme can’t support.

Hosting limitations are another common culprit. Budget hosting plans often have strict resource limits that can’t handle Elementor’s requirements.

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How the PHP Memory Limit Can Trigger Server Errors

PHP memory limit restrictions are one of the most common causes of 500 errors with Elementor.

The page builder requires more memory than basic WordPress installations.

The default WordPress PHP memory limit is often set too low for Elementor’s needs. When Elementor tries to load complex pages, it can exhaust this memory allocation.

You can check your current PHP memory limit in your wp-config.php file. Look for a line like define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '64M').

To fix memory-related errors, you should increase the memory limit to at least 512M.

define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '512M');

If you don’t have direct access to edit this file, contact your hosting provider. Many hosts provide ways to increase PHP memory through their control panel.

Identifying Errors Through PHP Error Logs

PHP error logs are your best friend when troubleshooting 500 errors. These logs reveal what’s happening behind the generic error message you see on screen.

You can enable WordPress debugging by adding these lines to your wp-config.php file:

define('WP_DEBUG', true);

define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);

define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);

This creates a debug.log file in your wp-content folder that records all PHP errors.

Common entries in error logs that indicate Elementor issues include:

  • Fatal error: Allowed memory size exhausted – Indicates memory limit problems
  • Maximum execution time exceeded – Your script is taking too long to run
  • Database connection errors – Problems with your database connection

Check these logs right after experiencing a 500 error. The timing helps you identify which action triggered the problem.

Your hosting provider’s error logs might contain additional details. Access these through your hosting control panel or contact support for assistance.

Troubleshooting Elementor Server Error 500

The 500 error occurs on the server side and can have several causes, but with a systematic approach, you can identify and fix the problem quickly.

Deactivating Plugins to Isolate Plugin Conflicts

Plugin conflicts are a common cause of server error 500 in Elementor. 

To identify if a plugin is causing the problem, you’ll need to deactivate all plugins and then reactivate them one by one.

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard
  2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins
  3. Select all plugins (except Elementor initially)
  4. Choose “Deactivate” from the Bulk Actions dropdown
  5. Apply the changes

After deactivating all plugins, check if the error persists. If the error disappears, the issue is with one of your plugins.

Reactivate each plugin individually, testing Elementor after each activation to identify the problematic plugin.

Once you find the conflicting plugin, you can either keep it deactivated, find an alternative, or contact the plugin developer for support.

Checking and Repairing the .htaccess File

A corrupted .htaccess file is another frequent culprit behind Elementor’s server error 500. 

This small but powerful configuration file controls various aspects of your site’s functionality.

To check and repair your .htaccess file:

  • Connect to your website using FTP or your hosting file manager
  • Navigate to your WordPress root directory (where wp-config.php is located)
  • Find the .htaccess file and download a backup copy to your computer
  • Rename the existing file to .htaccess.bak
  • Create a new .htaccess file with default WordPress settings:
# BEGIN WordPress
RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule .* - [E=HTTP_AUTHORIZATION:%{HTTP:Authorization}]
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
# END WordPress

After creating a new .htaccess file, try using Elementor again. If the error is gone, the problem was with your .htaccess file. This simple fix often resolves server errors quickly.

Switching to the Default WordPress Theme

Theme conflicts can trigger 500 errors when using Elementor. 

Your active theme might have code that conflicts with Elementor or exceeds server limitations.

To test if your theme is causing the problem:

  1. Go to Appearance > Themes in your WordPress dashboard
  2. Activate a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Five
  3. Try using Elementor again

If Elementor works properly with the default theme, your original theme is likely causing the error.

You can either:

  • Contact your theme developer for support
  • Find theme-specific settings that might be conflicting
  • Consider using a different theme that’s fully compatible with Elementor

This troubleshooting step is especially important if you’re using a highly customized or resource-intensive theme.

Many 500 errors occur because of theme functions that consume too many server resources or conflict with Elementor’s code.

Increasing the PHP Memory Limit via wp-config.php

Insufficient PHP memory is a common trigger for server error 500 in Elementor.

Elementor requires adequate memory to function properly, especially on complex pages.

To increase your PHP memory limit:

  • Connect to your site via FTP or hosting file manager
  • Locate and edit the wp-config.php file in your WordPress root directory
  • Add this line before “That’s all, stop editing!”:

    define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
  • Save the file and upload it back to your server

If you still encounter errors, try increasing to 512M.

For some hosts, you might need to contact support to increase memory limits beyond certain thresholds.

You can verify your current memory limit by installing a plugin like Health Check or by creating a PHP info file.

Many Elementor 500 errors occur simply because there’s not enough PHP memory allocated to handle the page-building operations.

Preventative Measures and Best Practices

Preventative Measures and Best Practices

Taking proactive steps can help you avoid the frustrating 500 Server Error in Elementor. 

Regular maintenance, resource monitoring, and consistent backups are your best defense against unexpected crashes.

Conducting Regular Maintenance for Website Health

Keeping your WordPress site healthy requires regular checkups.

Update your themes and plugins at least once a month to fix security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues.

Delete unused plugins and themes to reduce server load. Even deactivated plugins can sometimes cause conflicts with Elementor.

Use a caching plugin to improve site performance and reduce server strain.

Popular options like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache can significantly speed up your site.

Clean your database regularly to remove post revisions, spam comments, and transient options. 

Tools like WP-Optimize can automate this process for you.

Key maintenance checklist:

  • Update WordPress core, themes, and the Elementor plugin
  • Delete unused plugins and themes
  • Optimize your database monthly
  • Clear cache after major updates

Monitoring Server Resources Through Hosting Provider

Keep an eye on your server resources to prevent overloading.

Most hosting providers offer tools in your dashboard to track CPU usage, memory allocation, and bandwidth.

Set up email alerts for when your site approaches resource limits. This gives you time to upgrade your plan before your site crashes with a 500 error.

Check your PHP memory limit in your hosting control panel.

For Elementor sites, increase your PHP memory to at least 256MB by adding define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); to your wp-config.php file.

Use your hosting provider’s tools to identify traffic spikes that might strain your server.

If you expect high traffic, temporarily upgrade your hosting plan.

Resource monitoring tools:

  • cPanel Resource Usage
  • Server load graphs
  • PHP memory allocation settings
  • Error logs (check these weekly)

Performing Regular Backups and Restorations

Backup your entire WordPress site at least weekly. This includes all files, folders, and your database.

Use automated backup solutions like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy. 

They can schedule backups without your intervention. Store backups in a separate location from your hosting server.

Before making major changes to your site, create a manual backup. This provides a safety net if something goes wrong with Elementor or other plugins.

Test your backups regularly by performing a restoration on a staging site. A backup is useless if you can’t restore it when needed.

Backup best practices:

  • Create separate backups of your database and files
  • Store backups in cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive)
  • Save Elementor templates before major updates
  • Keep at least 3 recent backups available at all times

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