Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix a 500 Internal Server Error after a plugin update. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

How to fix a 500 Internal Server Error after a plugin update

A 500 Internal Server Error after updating a plugin or theme usually means your website's content management system (CMS) has encountered a conflict it cannot resolve. This is common when a new plugin version is incompatible with your current theme, another active plugin, or your server's PHP version. Because the error occurs on the server side, your website may become completely inaccessible, including the administrative dashboard. The following steps will help you identify the problematic extension, restore access to your site, and safely roll back the update.

Summary

A step-by-step troubleshooting guide for small business owners whose website crashes immediately after updating a CMS plugin or theme. Covers how to identify the conflicting plugin, restore site access via FTP or file manager, and safely roll back updates without losing content.

Common Causes

• Incompatible plugin version with your current theme
• Conflict between two or more active plugins
• Plugin requires a newer PHP version than your server supports
• Corrupted plugin files during update process
• Insufficient server memory limits

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Connect to your hosting account

You will need FTP credentials or access to your hosting control panel. Most Australian hosting providers offer a File Manager within cPanel, Plesk, or a proprietary dashboard. If you are using FTP, connect using an application such as FileZilla or Cyberduck.

Step 2: Locate the plugin or theme directory

For WordPress sites, navigate to the following path:

/wp-content/plugins/

If you updated a theme instead, navigate to:

/wp-content/themes/

Step 3: Rename the affected folder

Locate the folder for the plugin or theme you updated immediately before the error appeared. Right-click the folder and select Rename. Add a suffix such as -disabled to the end of the folder name. For example:

contact-form-7-disabled

Renaming the folder deactivates the extension without deleting your settings or content.

Step 4: Test your website

Open your website in a browser. If the homepage and administrative dashboard load correctly, you have identified the conflicting plugin or theme.

Step 5: Log into your CMS dashboard

Navigate to your site's login page, typically found at /wp-admin, and sign in using your administrator credentials.

Step 6: Check for available updates

Once logged in, go to Plugins > Installed Plugins or Appearance > Themes. Look for a newer version of the affected extension that may resolve the compatibility issue. If an update is available, apply it and then rename the folder back to its original name.

Step 7: Roll back to a previous version

If no fixing update is available, you may need to reinstall a previous version of the plugin or theme. Download the older version from the developer's website, upload it via your CMS dashboard or FTP, and activate it. Monitor your site for stability before making further changes.

Still Having Issues

If you are unable to resolve the issue using these steps, you can contact our support team for assistance.

If you host with us, you don't need to do this yourself — just Open a Ticket and our Brisbane team will get it sorted.

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