The server encountered something it could not handle.
WHAT IT MEANS
A general failure. The specific cause is in the error log, not in the message.
FIRST STEP
cPanel > Metrics > Errors. A 500 almost always has a corresponding entry naming the cause.
THE COMMON CAUSES
A syntax error in .htaccess A PHP fatal error in a plugin, theme or custom code Permissions wrong, particularly a file set to 777 A missing PHP extension Memory or execution time exhausted A corrupt file from an incomplete upload
THE .HTACCESS TEST
Rename .htaccess to .htaccess.bak and reload. If the site returns, that file was the cause.
In WordPress, re-saving permalinks generates a clean one.
IF IT APPEARED AFTER A CHANGE
Suspect the change. Reverse the most recent thing you did.
After a plugin update, disable that plugin by renaming its folder in File Manager.
IF THE LOG IS EMPTY
The failure occurred before PHP ran, which points at .htaccess, permissions or server configuration.
WHAT TO SEND US
The log entry and the time. Not "I get a 500".
