If you’re using Elementor and have encountered the dreaded 500 Internal Server Error, you’re not alone! This error typically happens when your server is struggling to process the request, often due to issues like PHP memory limits, plugin conflicts, or server misconfigurations.
But don’t worry—this guide is here to walk you through fixing that pesky 500 error, optimizing your PHP memory settings, and troubleshooting Elementor and its plugins. We’ll cover everything from wp-config.php to php.ini, php.ini, PHP Manager, and even .htaccess. Plus, I’ll show you how to get Elementor up and running smoothly again. Let’s dive in!
Why Elementor Might Cause a 500 Error
First off, let’s break down the 500 Internal Server Error in Elementor. This typically happens due to:
- Exceeding PHP memory limits: Elementor is a resource-heavy plugin and sometimes needs more memory than what your server’s PHP is set to handle.
- Plugin or theme conflicts: Some plugins don’t always play nice with Elementor, leading to errors.
- Server misconfigurations: Incorrect PHP settings (like an outdated PHP version or improper limits) can cause issues.
- Incompatible PHP version: Elementor might not work well with certain PHP versions.
Now, let’s fix the most common culprit—PHP memory limits—which is often the cause behind Elementor’s 500 errors.
How to Update PHP Memory Limits
There are multiple ways to increase the PHP memory limit depending on your setup. Let’s look at each method so you can adjust PHP memory globally or locally.
1. Update PHP Memory Limit in functions.php (Quick Fix)
This method is ideal if you want to increase the memory limit just for your Elementor theme or plugin.
How to do it: Open functions.php in your active theme directory then add the following line of code:
<!--?php <br ?--> ini_set(‘memory_limit’, ‘256M’);
When to use it: Use this method when you need to increase the memory only for a specific theme or plugin, like Elementor. It’s a quick and targeted fix.
2. Update PHP Memory Limit in wp-config.php (Global Site-Wide Solution)
If your entire WordPress site is running into memory issues, the wp-config.php file is the best place to increase the memory limit globally for all plugins and themes.
How to do it: Open wp-config.php and add the following line:
define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);
define(‘WP_MAX_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘512M’);
When to use it: This method is ideal for global memory limits across the entire site. Use this when multiple plugins or themes (like Elementor) need more memory to function properly.
3. Update PHP Memory Limit in .env (For Bedrock Users)
If you’re using Bedrock, the .env file is your central hub for managing environment variables. This allows you to adjust settings dynamically for different environments (local, staging, production).
How to do it: Open your .env file and add the following:
PHP_MEMORY_LIMIT=256M
PHP_MAX_MEMORY_LIMIT=512M
When to use it: This is perfect for Bedrock users who want to manage their memory settings across multiple environments dynamically. It’s clean, centralized, and flexible.
4. Update PHP Memory Limit in php.ini (Ultimate Server Control)
If you have full server access (e.g., VPS or dedicated hosting), you can control the memory limit for all PHP processes across your server using php.ini.
How to do it: Locate your php.ini file (typically found in /etc/php/7.x/apache2/ for Apache or /etc/php/7.x/fpm/ for PHP-FPM).
Add or modify the following line:
memory_limit = 256M
When to use it: Use this if you have server-level control and want to apply the same memory limit across all PHP scripts on the server. It’s perfect for multi-site or complex environments.
5. Update PHP Memory Limit Using .htaccess (For Apache Servers)
If you don’t have access to php.ini (especially on shared hosting), you can tweak PHP settings through the .htaccess file.
How to do it: Open the .htaccess file in your root WordPress directory (where wp-config.php is located).
Add this line at the top:
php_value memory_limit 256M
When to use it: This is a great solution for shared hosting users who cannot access php.ini but are using Apache. It applies the memory limit globally for all PHP scripts in that directory.
6. PHP Manager on SiteGround (Easy Access for Managed Hosting)
If you’re using SiteGround and have access to the PHP Manager, this is an easy way to change the PHP settings without editing any files.
How to do it: Log in to your SiteGround account and go to Site Tools > PHP Manager.
Adjust the memory limit in the PHP Settings section.
When to use it: This is perfect for managed hosting users who want a quick and easy way to adjust the memory limit without dealing with files.
Troubleshooting Elementor Plugin Issues
Now that you’ve updated your PHP memory settings, let’s move on to fixing the 500 Internal Server Error caused by Elementor.
1. Update Elementor and Other Plugins
First, make sure Elementor and its related plugins are up-to-date. Updates often include bug fixes and compatibility improvements.
How to do it: Go to Dashboard > Plugins then look for Elementor and Elementor Pro and click Update Now.
2. Disable Other Plugins (To Check for Conflicts)
Sometimes other plugins can cause conflicts with Elementor. Let’s isolate the issue.
How to do it: Go to Dashboard > Plugins and deactivate all other plugins except Elementor.
Test Elementor to see if the error persists. Reactivate plugins one by one to identify the plugin causing the conflict.
3. Enable Debug Mode (To See the Error Logs)
Enabling debug mode in WordPress allows you to track errors in detail.
How to do it: In your wp-config.php (or .env for Bedrock), add the following:
define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true);
define(‘WP_DEBUG_LOG’, true);
define(‘WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY’, false);
Check the wp-content/debug.log file for detailed error messages related to Elementor.
4. Ensure Plugin Permissions Are Correct (Give Plugins the Right Access)
If Elementor is still not functioning, it might be due to incorrect file permissions. Ensure the plugin has correct read/write permissions.
How to do it: Set the plugin folder permissions to 775: Go to your file manager > public_html > wp-content > right click the plugin folder then permission, make sure it is set to 775
Wrapping It Up
Now you’ve got the tools to tackle that pesky 500 Internal Server Error with Elementor! Whether you’re adjusting PHP memory limits, troubleshooting plugin conflicts, or enabling debug mode, you should be able to get Elementor and your site back on track.
And remember:
- functions.php for specific theme/plugin fixes.
- wp-config.php for global WordPress-wide memory settings.
- php.ini or .htaccess for server-wide memory limits.
- PHP Manager for easy hosting-level tweaks.
With the right tools and a little patience, you’ll have Elementor running smoothly in no time! If you run into any issues or need more troubleshooting tips, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Happy building!