If you are seeing a 500 Internal Server Error whenever you try to save a page in Elementor, you are not alone. This is one of the most common Elementor issues, and thankfully, it is usually easy to fix. This guide explains why the error happens, how to identify the root cause, and the most reliable ways to resolve it.

What Is a 500 Internal Server Error?

A 500 Internal Server Error is a general server response that indicates something went wrong while processing a request. When this happens inside the Elementor editor, it means Elementor tried to save your page but the server encountered a problem and could not complete the action.

Although the message is vague, the underlying problem is usually related to server resources, database issues, or conflicts with plugins or themes.

Most Common Cause: Too Many Post Revisions

The number one cause of Elementor 500 errors when saving is excessive post revisions stored in the WordPress database.

Why This Happens

WordPress automatically creates a revision every time you update a post or page. Elementor users typically make many incremental edits, which leads to hundreds of revisions. Every time Elementor tries to save, WordPress must process all these entries, and the resulting database query can become very large.

This can overload the server or exceed available PHP memory, which triggers the 500 error.

Fix 1: Clean Up Old Post Revisions and Optimise the Database

Cleaning up unnecessary revisions often resolves the issue immediately. Two of the most popular and safe plugins for this are LiteSpeed Cache and WP Sweep.

Method A: Using Litespeed Cache Plugin

1. Install and activate LiteSpeed Cache.
2. Go to LiteSpeed Cache > Database.
3. Click Clean All.

Method B: Using WP Sweep

1. Install and activate WP Sweep.
2. Go to Tools > Sweep.
3. Under Revisions, click Sweep.
4. Optionally sweep orphaned data, unused terms, transients, and deleted comments for a deeper clean.

Always create a backup before cleaning the database, especially if you have a large or active site.

Other Causes of Elementor 500 Errors (and How to Fix Them)

While post revisions are the most common culprit, other server-related limits can also cause the error. Below are additional fixes to try if database cleanup does not solve the problem.

Fix 2: Increase the PHP Memory Limit

Elementor recommends a minimum of 256M of PHP memory. If your host provides less, you may experience saving errors.

How to Increase PHP Memory

1. Open your site’s root folder via FTP or your hosting control panel.
2. Edit the wp-config.php file.
3. Add this line above the “That’s all, stop editing!” comment: define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
4. Save the file and try saving the Elementor page again.

If the change does not take effect, you may need to update the memory limit in php.ini or .htaccess, depending on your hosting setup. If you are hosted with G7Cloud contact us and we can action this for you.

Fix 3: Increase PHP Max Input Vars

Large Elementor pages can generate many form fields. If max_input_vars is too low, the server cannot process all the fields and returns a 500 error.

How to Increase max_input_vars

Add the following to your php.ini file or ask your host to adjust it:

max_input_vars = 5000

max_input_vars = 5000

If you have access only to .htaccess, try:

php_value max_input_vars 5000

php_value max_input_vars 5000

After making the changes, restart PHP or your webserver if necessary. If your site is hosted with G7Cloud, you will not normally need to adjust this setting because PHP Max Input Vars are already configured at a high level for all accounts. However, if you are still seeing issues, you are always welcome to get in touch and we will be happy to help.

Fix 4: Increase PHP Max Execution Time

Elementor saves large pages that sometimes need more time to process. If the server times out too quickly, the save request fails.

Add this to your php.ini:

max_execution_time = 300

max_execution_time = 300

or to .htaccess:

php_value max_execution_time 300

php_value max_execution_time 300

Fix 5: Check for Plugin or Theme Conflicts

Conflicts with heavy plugins, security plugins, or an outdated theme can cause a 500 error.

How to Perform a Plugin and Theme Conflict Test

1. Create a staging or development clone of your site.
2. Disable all plugins except Elementor and Elementor Pro.
3. Try saving a page.
4. If the error is gone, re-enable each plugin one by one until the error returns.
5. The plugin you last activated is causing the conflict.
6. If no plugin is at fault, switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Five to test theme compatibility.

G7Cloud can diagnose and resolve issues like this for you. If you are hosted with us, feel free to get in touch and we will identify the cause and fix it on your behalf.

Fix 6: Check Server Error Logs

Your server’s error logs can reveal the exact cause of the 500 error. Look for:

• PHP errors or fatal errors
• Memory limit exhaustion
• Timeout errors
• Database-related warnings

You can typically find logs inside your hosting control panel, or under:

/public_html/error_log
/wp-content/debug.log (if WP_DEBUG is enabled)

/public_html/error_log
/wp-content/debug.log (if WP_DEBUG is enabled)

If needed, enable debugging temporarily:

define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);

define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);

Fix 7: Clear Cache and Regenerate Files

Sometimes caching plugins or corrupted Elementor CSS files lead to save failures.

Try the following:

• Clear your site cache
• Clear your server cache (if applicable)
• Regenerate Elementor CSS files under
  Elementor > Tools > Regenerate CSS and Data
• Clear your browser cache

Fix 8: Update Everything

Outdated components can break Elementor save requests. Make sure you have the latest versions of:

• Elementor
• Elementor Pro
• WordPress core
• Theme
• PHP version (PHP 8.1 or newer recommended)

How to Prevent Elementor 500 Errors in the Future

Once the error is resolved, you can prevent it from returning by making a few simple adjustments.

1. Limit the Number of Post Revisions

Add this line to your wp-config.php file to keep WordPress from storing unlimited revisions:

define('WP_POST_REVISIONS', 5);

define('WP_POST_REVISIONS', 5);

You can adjust the number to your preference.

2. Perform Regular Database Cleanups

Use WP-Optimize or WP Sweep once a month to keep your database lean.

3. Keep Elementor Pages Efficient

• Reduce excessive nested sections and column structures
• Remove unused widgets
• Use lightweight plugins
• Optimise images

A well-structured Elementor page uses fewer server resources and reduces the chance of errors.

Final Thoughts

The Elementor 500 error when saving a page is frustrating but usually easy to fix. Cleaning up post revisions resolves most cases, but adjusting PHP limits, checking for conflicts, and keeping your website optimised will help prevent the issue from returning.

If you follow the steps in this guide, you should be able to identify the exact cause and fix the problem quickly.