Easy Fix: Elementor Update Server Error 500

Have you been trying to update or publish a WordPress page using Elementor, only to be greeted by the following error:

Elementor Update Server Error 500

This error can appear suddenly, stopping all your progress in its tracks. Maybe you’ve clicked the update button a dozen times, but it’s just not working. Your hard work now feels like it’s on the brink of disappearing. 

Pro tip: We recommend you test changes on a staging site to take the least risky road. 

This situation can be incredibly stressful, especially if you’re new to WordPress and unfamiliar with technical troubleshooting. But don’t worry. In this article, we’ll help you understand why this error happens and guide you through simple steps to fix it. 

TL;DR: The 500 error in Elementor can be caused by issues like incompatible plugins or memory limitations. Try troubleshooting on a staging site to avoid impacting your live site.

Why does the server error 500 occur?

500 errors, often referred to as Internal Server Errors, originate from your website’s server environment and can be quite frustrating because they are vague. There is no indication about how to resolve them, and you can get stuck in an endless of refreshing and hoping for the best. Understanding the common causes can help you resolve them more efficiently, so that’s what we will start with.

One primary reason for encountering a 500 error is insufficient memory allocation. Elementor requires at least 128 MB of memory to function properly. However, if your website runs multiple plugins and complex themes, Elementor recommends that the memory allocation increases to 512 MB. If the server does not allocate enough memory to meet these requirements, you may face a 500 error.

If Elementor is not the only plugin you’re using—which is very probable—the error could also be caused by conflicts with other plugins.

Another possible cause for a 500 error is a fatal error within your website’s PHP files. Fatal errors arise when the PHP code encounters a critical problem, like coding issues or conflicts in PHP files, which stops the script from running.

Identifying and understanding these common causes can help you take the right steps to troubleshoot and resolve the 500 error in Elementor.

Step 1: Identify the root cause

Before we talk about how to troubleshoot the error on a staging site, it’s essential to identify what’s causing the 500 error. Here are some steps to get you started.

1.1: Check PHP error log

Your website’s PHP error log records any errors that occur, making it a crucial tool for troubleshooting. Your webhost maintains these logs. We recommend that you reach out to support and find your php error logs.

1.2: Deactivate other plugins to check for incompatibility

Conflicts between plugins can often trigger a 500 error. To see if this is the case, deactivate all plugins except Elementor. You can do this from your WordPress dashboard by navigating to Plugins and clicking Installed Plugins. Below every other plugin, click Deactivate. Check if the error persists. If the error disappears after deactivating a specific plugin, you’ve found the culprit.

1.3: Switch to default theme to check for incompatibility

Sometimes, the issue can stem from your current theme. To rule this out, temporarily switch to one of WordPress’s default themes. Go to Appearance > Themes in your WordPress dashboard and activate a default theme. Check to see if the 500 error is still present. If switching themes resolves the issue, the problem likely lies with your original theme.

1.4: Check memory limit

Elementor requires a sufficient memory limit to function correctly. To check if your current memory allocation is adequate, you can use Elementor’s System Info tool. 

1. Click Elementor in the sidebar.
2. Then, click System Info in your WordPress dashboard.
3. Scroll down until you see the Memory Limit section. 
4. If the memory limit is set below 128 MB, you’ll need to increase it. We’ll talk about how to increase it in the next section.

Step 2: Fix the problem

Now that you’ve identified the root cause of the 500 error, it’s time to fix it. We’ll start with precautions to take and then troubleshoot the error.

2.1: Take a backup

When dealing with errors like the 500 error in Elementor, having a recent backup of your website is crucial. Backups ensure that you can revert to a previous state if something goes wrong during troubleshooting. This safety net can prevent loss of content, settings, and hours of hard work. In the heat of resolving technical issues, knowing you have a reliable backup can provide peace of mind and allow you to experiment with fixes more confidently.

We recommend you take a backup with BlogVault. BlogVault not only offers automatic daily backups but also allows you to take manual backups before making significant changes. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for beginners to manage backups and restores. Additionally, BlogVault provides a staging environment where you can test changes without affecting your live site, making it an invaluable tool when dealing with errors like a 500 error in Elementor. With BlogVault, you can focus on troubleshooting, knowing your website is securely backed up.

2.2: Create a staging site

A staging site is essentially a clone of your live website that allows you to make changes, test new features, and troubleshoot issues without affecting your live site. It’s an invaluable tool for diagnosing and fixing problems like the 500 error in Elementor.

One of the easiest ways to create a staging site is by using BlogVault. With BlogVault, you can build a staging site in just one click. You can then test and implement fixes without any risk, ensuring your live site remains unaffected by any temporary disruptions.

2.3: Troubleshoot the error on the staging site

If you’ve used BlogVault to build a staging site, navigate to the BlogVault dashboard. Scroll till the Staging section and click on WP-ADMIN. Now, you’re ready to troubleshoot. 

Depending on when and where the error appears, try the following.

If every page has the error

This is likely because of an incompatibility with another plugin. So, here are the steps to troubleshoot:

1. Deactivate all the other plugins on the dashboard.
2. If the error disappears, then you know an incompatible plugin is the issue.
3. Reactivate each plugin one by one.
4. Check to see if the error still exists after every reactivated plugin.
5. Once you’ve identified the problematic plugin, deactivate it.
6. Reach out to the plugin developers to let them know. 
7. Wait till they fix the issue.

If one specific page has the error

1. Beside the Update or Publish button at the top right, click Save as Template.

2. Name the template something easy to remember.This saves your work as a reusable template.
3. Click Pages in the wp-admin sidebar. 
4. Click Add New Page in your WordPress dashboard. And thenclick Edit with Elementor at the top.
5. Click the little gray folder icon at the bottom.

2. Click the My Templates tab. Select the template that you want to import.Click Import and wait a few seconds.

The original page has now been recreated. Try to publish it now, 

Once you’re done, the original page can be deleted. 

Other things you can try

• Clear your browser cache: Sometimes cached data can cause issues. Clear your browser cache to see the latest changes. This is especially true if you have plugins like Cloudflare. We’ve noticed a lot of people that use both plugins complain about errors. That being said, we do not recommend disabling Cloudflare. 
• Increase memory limit:
  1. Connect to your site via FTP.
  2. Download the wp-config.php file, and open it in a text editor.
  3. Find the following line:

define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '512M');

4. If it’s not there, scroll till you see:

/* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */

5. Just before it, add the following line of code: define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘768M’);
6. Save the file and re-upload the file.

Step 3: Test everything

Review your entire site to make sure everything is working fine. Check your pages or posts. Check your widgets and elements. Are your popups working as normal? Does your header and footer look like it used to? Is the update button finally working? 

If something is off, reach out to Elementor support and let them know. Repeat the last three steps again, when they release an update to fix the problem. 

Step 4: Push changes to the live site

If troubleshooting worked, replicate the changes you made in the last three steps on the live site. It’s the safest way to push changes to your live site. 

Now, you’re able to go back and make the changes you wanted to. You can publish the page you wanted to update. 

Final Thoughts

Errors like the 500 error make website maintenance more frustrating. But, it is fixable with a few troubleshooting errors. We strongly recommend that you troubleshoot on a staging site to avoid any disruptions to your live website. Using a tool like BlogVault makes using a staging site incredibly simple, ensuring you can test and resolve issues without stress.

FAQs

How do I fix error 500 on Elementor server?

To fix a 500 error on Elementor, start by identifying the root cause. Check your PHP error logs, deactivate other plugins to find any incompatibilities, switch to a default theme, and check your memory limit. After identifying the issue, update Elementor and any conflicting plugins, or increase your memory limit by adding `define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘768M’);` to your wp-config.php file.

Why is my Elementor page not updating?

If your Elementor page is not updating, it could be due to server limitations or conflicts with other plugins. Try clearing your browser cache, deactivating other plugins, switching to the default theme temporarily, and increasing your site’s PHP memory limit. If the problem persists, you might need to update Elementor or check for any server issues with your hosting provider.