Synonyms: Internal server error HTTP 500 error
A 500 Server Error is a generic error message that indicates something has gone wrong on the server side while trying to load a webpage. Unlike client-side errors (like a 404 error), which are caused by issues with the user’s request or browser, a 500 error is a server-side problem. This means the server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request.
There are several possible causes for a 500 error:
- Server Overload: The server might be overwhelmed with too many requests at once.
- Faulty Code: There may be a bug or an issue in the website’s server-side code, such as PHP errors or misconfigured scripts.
- Database Connection Issues: Problems with the database, such as failed connections, can trigger a 500 error.
- Permissions Errors: Incorrect file or folder permissions on the server can prevent resources from loading properly.
For users, a 500 error is frustrating because it doesn’t provide much detail about what went wrong. For website administrators, troubleshooting often involves checking server logs, code, and database configurations to pinpoint the issue.
In most cases, 500 server errors are temporary, and refreshing the page or trying again later might resolve the problem.