Server Error 500 Elementor | Increase PHP Memory Limit

A 500 Internal Server Error in Elementor is almost always a resource issue (running out of memory) or a plugin conflict. It is rarely a “bug” in Elementor itself.

Here is the step-by-step process to fix it, ordered from the most likely solution to the least.

1. Increase PHP Memory Limit (Most Likely Fix)

Elementor is resource-heavy. Most budget hosts default to 64MB or 128MB of memory, but Elementor often needs 256MB or 512MB to run smoothly.

How to fix it:

1. Access your website files via FTP or your Hosting File Manager (cPanel/Plesk).

2. Locate the wp-config.php file in the main directory (public_html).

3. Edit the file and look for a line that says /* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */.

4. Before that line, paste this code:

   PHP

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

5. Save the file and try loading Elementor again.

2. Check for Plugin Conflicts

If increasing memory didn’t work, another plugin is likely fighting with Elementor.

How to test:

1. Go to your WordPress Dashboard > Plugins.

2. Deactivate ALL plugins except Elementor and Elementor Pro.

3. Check if the 500 error is gone.

   • If it works: Reactivate your plugins one by one, checking Elementor after each. The last one you activated before it broke again is the culprit.

   • If it still fails: The issue is likely your theme or a server setting.

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3. Regenerate the .htaccess File

A corrupted server configuration file can cause 500 errors.

How to fix it:

1. Go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard.

2. Do not change anything.

3. Simply click the “Save Changes” button at the bottom.

4. This forces WordPress to repair the .htaccess file automatically.

4. Enable Debug Mode (To see the real error)

“500 Error” is a generic mask. To see what is actually breaking, you need to turn on the lights.

1. Open wp-config.php again (from Step 1).

2. Look for define( 'WP_DEBUG', false );.

3. Change false to true:

   PHP

   define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
   define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );
   

4. Reload the page causing the error.

5. Check the wp-content folder for a file named debug.log. Open it to see the specific error message (e.g., “Fatal error: Allowed memory size exhausted…”).

5. Switch PHP Version

Ensure your server is running a modern version of PHP. Elementor functions best on PHP 7.4 or PHP 8.0+.

• Login to your hosting panel (cPanel, SiteGround, Bluehost, etc.).

• Look for “PHP Manager” or “PHP Version”.

• Update to the latest stable version (avoid “Beta” versions).

If none of this works:

Contact your hosting support. Ask them to check the Apache Error Logs. They can see the exact cause of the 500 error on their end.