Fix: Elementor Server Error (500 Internal Server Error)

While working with Elementor in WordPress, you may encounter the “Server Error (500 Internal Server Error)” when trying to save or update a page. Instead of applying your changes, the request fails, and Elementor is unable to complete the saving process. This error is not limited to Elementor itself, it generally indicates a server-side problem where WordPress cannot process the request successfully.

The 500 Internal Server Error in Elementor does not point to a single issue. Instead, it’s a generic server-side failure that may be triggered by multiple factors. Below are the most common causes:

• Conflicting plugins – Resource-heavy or incompatible plugins can interfere with Elementor’s ability to save changes.
• Outdated software – Running old versions of Elementor, your theme, or WordPress core can cause conflicts that trigger this error.
• Insufficient PHP memory – A low memory limit prevents the server from handling large or complex pages, leading to failed save attempts.
• Misconfigured server settings – Incorrect PHP or hosting configurations can block WordPress requests and generate errors.
• Database overload – Too many stored revisions or drafts can slow down queries and interrupt Elementor’s saving process.
• Older PHP versions – Using unsupported PHP versions may prevent Elementor and WordPress from working correctly together.

Because this error message is broad, you will need to test each possible area to identify the exact cause. In the following sections, we’ll go through the most effective troubleshooting methods to remove the 500 Internal Server Error and make sure Elementor saves your changes without interruptions.

1. Disable Conflicting Plugins

Conflicting plugins are among the most frequent causes of this error. For example, plugins like RankMath SEO may consume server resources that Elementor requires, overloading the system and triggering the error. Disabling such plugins frees up those resources and often resolves the problem.

1. Open the WordPress Dashboard.
2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
3. Deactivate RankMath SEO or any other recently installed plugins.
4. Try saving the page again in Elementor.

2. Clean Up Post/Page Revisions

When your database stores too many drafts and revisions, it adds unnecessary load and slows down performance. This can stop Elementor from saving pages properly. By cleaning up old revisions, you reduce database size and free resources, allowing Elementor to function smoothly.

1. Go to Plugins > Add Plugin.
2. Install the WP-Optimize or WP-Sweep plugin.
3. Run the cleanup tool to remove revisions and drafts.
4. Clear your cache if you are using a caching plugin.
5. Re-test Elementor after the cleanup.

3. Rebuild the Affected Page

If the error appears on a single page only, it may be due to corrupted page data. Rebuilding that page from scratch clears out the bad data and allows Elementor to save normally.

1. Open the problematic page in Elementor.
2. Save it as a Template.
3. Create a new page and import the saved template.
4. Publish the new page and replace the old one if it works correctly.

4. Increase PHP Memory Limit

Elementor requires sufficient server resources to save large or complex pages. If your PHP memory limit is too low (e.g., 50M), the server will fail to process requests and crash during saving. Raising the PHP memory limit to 256M or higher ensures Elementor has the capacity it needs.

• Contact your hosting provider’s support and request to increase the memory limit to 256M or 512M.

5. Update Everything

Running outdated software is another common reason behind this error. If WordPress, Elementor, your theme, or PHP are not updated in sync, conflicts can easily occur. Keeping everything up to date ensures compatibility and system stability.

1. Update WordPress to the latest stable version.
2. Update Elementor and Elementor Pro.
3. Update your theme and all plugins.
4. Verify your server is running a supported PHP version (8.0 or later).