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.

Also Read : Shopify Login Not Working | How to Fix

---

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.