A 500 Internal Server Error is a generic HTTP status code that indicates something went wrong on the server side, but the server can’t specify exactly what the problem is.
When this error occurs, the server is unable to complete the request—even though the browser request itself is valid.
In simple terms:
👉 A 500 error means the server failed, not the user or browser.
How a 500 Internal Server Error Works
When a user or search engine requests a page:
- The browser sends a request to the server
- The server tries to process the request
- An unexpected server-side issue occurs
- The server returns a 500 status code
Unlike 404 errors (missing pages), a 500 error means the page exists, but the server can’t load it due to an internal problem.
Common Causes of a 500 Internal Server Error
A 500 error can be triggered by many technical issues, including:
- Corrupt or misconfigured
.htaccessfile - PHP errors or script failures
- Server permission issues
- Exhausted memory limits
- Plugin or theme conflicts (CMS-based sites)
- Database connection problems
- Incorrect file permissions
- Server overload or timeout
Because the error is generic, identifying the root cause requires investigation.
Why 500 Internal Server Errors Are Bad for SEO
500 errors are harmful to SEO if they occur frequently or persist for long periods.
Search engines like Google may interpret repeated 500 errors as a sign of poor site health.
SEO impacts include:
- Crawling interruptions
- Indexing issues
- Temporary deindexing
- Lost rankings
- Reduced crawl budget efficiency
- Poor user experience
If Googlebot can’t access your pages reliably, your SEO performance will suffer.
500 Error vs Other HTTP Errors
Here’s how 500 errors compare to other common errors:
- 500 Internal Server Error
Server failure with unknown cause - 404 Not Found
Page doesn’t exist - 403 Forbidden
Access denied - 502 Bad Gateway
Invalid response from an upstream server - 503 Service Unavailable
Server temporarily unavailable (often safer than 500 for maintenance)
500 errors are more serious because they indicate unhandled server problems.
How Search Engines Treat 500 Errors
When search engines encounter a 500 error:
- Occasional errors → Usually ignored temporarily
- Persistent errors → Pages may be dropped from the index
- Site-wide 500 errors → Severe ranking and visibility loss
Search engines expect stable and accessible servers.
How to Fix a 500 Internal Server Error
Here are common steps to troubleshoot and fix 500 errors:
1. Check Server Error Logs
Error logs often reveal:
- Script failures
- Memory issues
- Permission errors
This is usually the fastest way to identify the cause.
2. Review the .htaccess File
A broken or misconfigured .htaccess file is a frequent cause.
Test by:
- Temporarily renaming it
- Reloading the page
If the error disappears, the file needs correction.
3. Check File & Folder Permissions
Incorrect permissions can prevent the server from executing files.
Typical settings:
- Files: 644
- Folders: 755
4. Increase Server Resources
Low memory limits or timeouts can trigger errors.
Solutions:
- Increase PHP memory limit
- Optimize scripts
- Upgrade hosting if necessary
5. Disable Plugins or Extensions
On CMS platforms, plugins are a common cause.
Test by:
- Disabling plugins one by one
- Checking theme compatibility
6. Verify Database Connection
Database errors can cause server failures.
Ensure:
- Credentials are correct
- Database server is running
- No corrupted tables
500 Errors and User Experience
From a user perspective, 500 errors:
- Break trust
- Increase bounce rates
- Reduce conversions
- Create frustration
Custom error pages can soften the impact—but they don’t fix the underlying problem.
Best Practices to Prevent 500 Errors
To reduce the risk of 500 errors:
- Use reliable hosting
- Monitor uptime regularly
- Test changes before deployment
- Keep software updated
- Audit plugins and scripts
- Implement proper error handling
- Use 503 status codes during maintenance
Prevention is far easier than recovery.
Should You Redirect 500 Errors?
No.
500 errors indicate server failure and should not be redirected.
Instead:
- Fix the underlying issue
- Restore proper server responses
- Use redirects only for permanent URL changes
Redirecting hides problems instead of solving them.
How to Monitor 500 Errors
You can monitor server errors by:
- Checking server logs
- Monitoring crawl error reports
- Using uptime monitoring tools
- Reviewing sudden traffic drops
Fast detection limits SEO damage.
Final Thoughts
A 500 Internal Server Error is one of the most serious technical SEO issues because it blocks both users and search engines from accessing your content. While occasional errors may happen, persistent 500 errors signal deeper server problems that must be fixed immediately.
From an SEO standpoint, server stability is non-negotiable. If your site can’t be accessed reliably, even the best content and backlinks won’t help.
Fix 500 errors quickly, monitor them closely, and treat server health as a core part of your SEO strategy.