How to Fix Laravel 500 Internal Server Error on Shared Hosting & cPanel (Step-by-Step Guide)

Introduction 

If you are running a Laravel project on shared hosting and suddenly face a 500 Internal Server Error, you are not alone. This error is one of the most common (and frustrating) issues for developers, startup founders, and even CEOs who want their website live and stable. 

This guide is written to help developers, business owners, and decision-makers quickly identify the root cause and fix the Laravel 500 error efficiently. 

What Is Laravel 500 Internal Server Error? 

A 500 Internal Server Error means the server failed to execute the request, but it doesn’t clearly explain why. On shared hosting, this usually happens due to: 

• Incorrect file permissions 

• Missing PHP extensions 

• Wrong .env configuration 

• Composer or vendor issues 

• Limited server resources 

Common Causes of Laravel 500 Error on Shared Hosting 

1. Incorrect File & Folder Permissions 

Shared hosting environments are strict about permissions. 

Correct permissions: 

• Folders: 755 

• Files: 644 

Make sure these folders are writable: 

• storage/ 

• bootstrap/cache/ 

2. Wrong Document Root Setup 

Laravel’s entry point is the public folder. 

❌ Wrong setup: 

public_html/ 
 app/ 
 routes/ 
 vendor/ 
 

✅ Correct setup: 

public_html/ 
 index.php 
 .htaccess 
laravel_app/ 
 app/ 
 routes/ 
 vendor/ 
 

Update paths inside index.php accordingly. 

3. Missing or Incorrect .env File 

Many 500 errors happen because the .env file is missing or misconfigured. 

Check these values: 

APP_ENV=production 
APP_DEBUG=false 
APP_KEY=base64:XXXXXXXX 
 

Generate key using: 

php artisan key:generate 
 

4. Composer & Vendor Folder Issues 

Shared hosting often blocks SSH access, causing vendor issues. 

Solution: 

• Run composer install locally 

• Upload the vendor folder manually 

Make sure: 

• vendor/autoload.php exists 

5. PHP Version Not Supported 

Laravel versions require specific PHP versions. 

Laravel Version	PHP Required
Laravel 8	PHP 7.3+
Laravel 9	PHP 8.0+
Laravel 10	PHP 8.1+

Change PHP version from cPanel → Select PHP Version. 

6. Enable Error Logs (Very Important) 

To see the real error, temporarily enable debugging: 

APP_DEBUG=true 
 

Also check: 

• storage/logs/laravel.log 

• cPanel → Error Logs 

Turn debug OFF after fixing the issue. 

OR How to Fix a 500 Error on a Laravel App in cPanel

Step-by-Step: How to Fix Laravel 500 Error in cPanel

Step 1: Enable Laravel Error Debugging

Edit .env file:

APP_DEBUG=true

This will show the exact error instead of a blank 500 page.

---

Step 2: Check Laravel Log File

Go to:

storage/logs/laravel.log

This file tells you the real cause of the error.

---

Step 3: Set Correct Permissions (Very Important)

Set permissions in cPanel:

• Folders: 755
• Files: 644
• storage/ → 775
• bootstrap/cache/ → 775

---

Step 4: Fix .htaccess File

Make sure .htaccess exists in public folder:

<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
    RewriteEngine On
    RewriteRule ^(.*)$ public/$1 [L]
</IfModule>

---

Step 5: Select Correct PHP Version in cPanel

Go to:

cPanel → Select PHP Version

Recommended:

• PHP 8.0 / 8.1 (based on Laravel version)

Enable required extensions:

• mbstring
• openssl
• pdo
• tokenizer
• fileinfo

---

Step 6: Upload Vendor Folder or Run Composer

On shared hosting:

• Upload vendor folder manually
  OR
• Run:

composer install

---

Step 7: Generate Application Key

php artisan key:generate

If terminal not available, generate key online and paste into .env.

---

Step 8: Clear Cache

php artisan config:clear
php artisan cache:clear
php artisan view:clear

---

Best Practices to Avoid Laravel 500 Errors

• Always check Laravel logs
• Use correct PHP version
• Keep permissions secure
• Never delete vendor folder
• Use production-ready hosting

Step 1: Check the ‘Errors’ Log in cPanel

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Navigate to Metrics > Errors.
3. Review recent log entries related to your domain. These entries can indicate syntax errors in .htaccess, missing modules, or permission issues.

Step 2: Review and Fix the .htaccess File

Misconfigurations in the .htaccess file often lead to 500 errors. Common issues include:

• Unmatched <IfModule> tags.
• Syntax errors.
• Duplicate .htaccess files causing conflicts.

How to Fix:

1. Open File Manager in cPanel.
2. Navigate to your Laravel app’s root directory.
3. Edit the .htaccess file and ensure all <IfModule> sections are correctly opened and closed.
4. If a duplicate .htaccess file exists under /public, remove it to prevent conflicts.

Step 3: Verify PHP Version Compatibility

An outdated or unsupported PHP version can trigger a 500 error. To change your PHP version:

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Click Select PHP Version.
3. Note your current PHP version in case you need to revert.
4. From the dropdown list, select the desired PHP version. Ecenica supports versions 8.3, 8.2, 8.1, 8.0, 7.4, 7.3, 7.2, 7.1, 7.0, and 5.6.
5. Click Set as current to apply the new version.

For more detailed instructions, refer to How to change PHP version on shared-hosting with cPanel.

Step 4: Check File Permissions

Incorrect file and folder permissions can cause server errors.

• Set folders to 755.
• Set files to 644.

You can update permissions via File Manager or by running the following commands via SSH:

find /home/youruser/yourapp -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;
find /home/youruser/yourapp -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;

Step 5: Run Laravel Commands

Ensure your application is correctly configured by running the following commands in your app’s root directory via SSH or Terminal:

php artisan config:clear
php artisan cache:clear
php artisan route:clear
php artisan view:clear
php artisan migrate

Step 6: Enable Debugging for More Insights

If the issue persists, enable Laravel’s debugging mode:

1. Edit the .env file in your Laravel root directory.
2. Change the following line: APP_DEBUG=true
3. Save changes and reload your site.

Quick Checklist for CEOs & Non-Technical Owners 

If you are a CEO or business owner, ask your developer or hosting provider: 

• Is the PHP version correct? 

• Are storage permissions set properly? 

• Is the .env file configured? 

• Are logs checked for errors? 

This saves time and prevents unnecessary downtime. 

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Helpful Internal & External Links 

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Final Thoughts 

Laravel is powerful, but shared hosting has limitations. Most 500 Internal Server Errors are configuration-related and can be fixed with the right steps. 

Whether you are a developer, startup founder, or CEO, understanding these basics helps ensure your website stays online and performs reliably. 

If this guide helped you, bookmark it or share it with your team.