Hi,
I’ve had a 500 Response Code error on Webmaster tools for a long time. Tried to mark it as fixed but the error returns.
The Server errors URL is “wp-content/themes/Newspaper/”
Can you advise on how to fix this or how to diagnose the issue, where would the error-log file be to look into this further?
Regards,
Dave
his happens when you update the theme or change themes temporarily.
Is this a general issue with ALL wordpress child themes when you try to update?
When you say change theme temporarily, what way in particular?
Can this be resolved?
Well, if Google tries to ping your site while updating, the site gives a 500 error since it’s not working … so it logs it as such. Doesn’t mean your site is broken. Just click “fixed” and move on. Common issue with all WP themes/installs. Not theme specific.
Hi Chris,
Yes i’ve tried that “mark as fixed” several times and a few days later the error comes back. So its not just ping/update conflict.
I do not believe this is a common issue as I have a friend with a different child theme and he has no problems so this is Newspaper specific.
Where would I need to search to find the log file error on my VPS?
Check with your hosting provider as to where the error log is.
I’ve been using the theme for over 2 years, and other themes.
500 error means site crashed on ping/visit — could be overload — did you assign enough memory to your install?
If you get the error once a momth or on WordPress or theme update — THAT is normal.
If you’re getting it multiple times a week, then you have an issue with your hosting, WP setup, or plugins, etc.
Hello,
You can also check if you meet the newspaper requirements:
https://forum.tagdiv.com/requirements-for-newspaper/
And check your system status parameters and increase them like this guide suggests: https://forum.tagdiv.com/system-status-parameters-guide/
I hope this helps.
Thanks.
Thanks for your recommendations gents, i’ll give them a try.
Regards,
Dave
Hi Bogdan,
OK so I have ensured all of the newspaper requirements and system status parameters are correct for the site.
I have two sites with the same issue and use the same theme (Newspaper). So I marked site1 as fixed and within 7 days the Server Error 500 returned.
I changed to theme on site2 from Newspaper to TwentyFifteen and marked as fixed, to date the error hasn’t returned and it has now been 3 weeks. So by elimination we can assume that it is the child theme (Newspaper) that is causing the issue.
Both sites also have identical plugins enabled.
Can you advise on how to proceed further.
I think this has to be the best WordPress theme out there and am keen to purchase more, BUT I believe this server error is causing a major issue with my rankings with Google.
This is not an isolated case as I believe the Enfold theme has the same issue, see thread here:
http://www.kriesi.at/support/topic/crawling-errors-500/
Regards,
Dave
Hello,
If you use a child theme, that means you have custom code implementation (otherwise the child theme is pointless). Please restore the theme to it’s default state and test without any customization. That means, activating the main theme and removing all custom code. If your child theme has not been updated properly, all sorts of issues can occur. Please update your theme to the latest version and test without a child theme. if the problem goes away then you need to re-create your child thebe by using the one that comes bundled in our theme package.
Thank you!
Sorry there’s some misinterpretation here.
When I say child theme, I mean Newspaper is the child theme. This maybe incorrect as I am NOT a web developer and have no experience in this field.
What I mean is the Newspaper theme, it has not been modified in any way.
What do you suggest we do to resolve this issue?
HI
The 500 status code represent a very general error meaning that something has gone wrong but the server was unable to return a more accurate answer for that error. You can find some useful informations about this in server’s error log. Also check the exact link which causes this error, it usually shout point to a file/resource.
From your first message I can see that you pointed this path: wp-content/themes/Newspaper This is a path from wordpress and if the error appear on it most likely happens because of a rule from robots.txt file which prevent google crawler to access the path. If you have a robots.txt file for your site make sure that the rules are set it properly: http://www.robotstxt.org/robotstxt.html
Thanks!
Gents,
Just a quick update on this. I updated the theme in November to themeforest-5489609-newspaper and the 500 error went away within a couple of days.
I will point out that the only changes made at the time were an update to the theme. So it appears that whatever changes you made in that version has fixed the issue.
I’ve yet to update to the latest version but will do so shortly and keep an eye out on webmaster.
Regards,
Dave
