.htaccess causes a 500 Internal Server Error
Last reviewed 2026-09-19
Apache reads .htaccess on every request, so a single mistake in it can take the whole site down with a 500 error. The server's error log names the exact line and directive that failed.
Messages you might see
- “500 Internal Server Error”
- “Invalid command 'X', perhaps misspelled or defined by a module not included in the server configuration”
- “<IfModule> directive missing closing tag”
Why it happens
- A misspelled directive or one whose module is not enabled on the server.
- A block such as <IfModule> or <Directory> that was opened but not closed.
- A rewrite rule with a missing argument or a bad regular expression.
- Pasted code with a stray character or the wrong line endings.
Try this first (free, no tool needed)
- Read the Apache error log (often error_log in your hosting panel): it says which line failed and why.
- Rename .htaccess to something else for a moment. If the site returns, the file is the cause.
- Restore from the last working version, then re-add rules one at a time.
- Check that the module a directive needs (mod_rewrite, mod_headers, ...) is enabled on your host.
If that didn't work
These tools run in your browser. Your file is read and repaired on your own device and is never uploaded.
Broken .htaccess Fixer
Adds missing closing tags for IfModule, Directory, Files and other blocks, removes stray closing tags, flags misspelled or unknown directives (optionally auto-correcting the unambiguous ones) and rewrite rules missing arguments. It cannot know whether a module is enabled on your server.
Open Broken .htaccess FixerCommon questions
Will it check my rewrite logic?
It catches structural mistakes and rules with missing arguments. Whether a rule does what you intend still needs testing on your site.
Is my file uploaded anywhere?
No. The tool runs as a program inside your own browser, so the file is read and repaired on your device and never sent to a server.