347: Fixing the 500 Internal Server Error with WordPress

The latest version of WordPress requires that the PHP version be set to version 5.4 or higher. By default, new InMotion Hosting accounts are set to version PHP version 5.4. However, in some cases, this version may have been changed. For more information, please see how to change the PHP version in cPanel. The 500 error can also occur when file permissions are incorrectly set for the WordPress installation files. The following tutorial walks you through correcting the 500 error when the PHP version is set to the wrong version. If you are having problems with this error, then you may see the following error message on your screen:

1. Login to cPanel
2. 

   If you have just finished installing WordPress with Softaculous, and after logging into the WordPress Admin you're getting an Internal Server error, your first step will be to look for the version of PHP that you have loaded on your account. Look for Software and Services, then click on PHP Configuration
3. 

   You will then see the version of PHP that is currently set in cPanel for your account. Click on the drop-down arrow to choose version 5.4 or higher. Click on the Update button to change the version
4. 

   Once the version has been updated, you will see a confirmation message indicating the version that you have selected. You should now be able to go back to your WordPress URL and verify that the error has been resolved.

If you find that the error continues, first make sure that your browser cache has been cleared. Then, if the error persists, contact our live technical support team via phone/chat/email in order to have the issue reviewed. File permissions errors is typically another common cause of the 500 internal server error and can be quickly fixed by our support team.