---
title: Error 500 · Cloudflare Support docs
description: This error indicates a problem with your origin web server, preventing it from fulfilling the request.
lastUpdated: 2025-04-29T14:48:33.000Z
source_url:
  html: https://zt-dark-mode-changelog.preview.developers.cloudflare.com/support/troubleshooting/http-status-codes/cloudflare-5xx-errors/error-500/index.md
  md: https://zt-dark-mode-changelog.preview.developers.cloudflare.com/support/troubleshooting/http-status-codes/cloudflare-5xx-errors/error-500/
---

## Error 500: internal server error

This error indicates a problem with your origin web server, preventing it from fulfilling the request.

### Common causes

The `Error establishing database connection message` is a common HTTP `500` error, typically indicating an origin web server issue. If you encounter this error, contact your hosting provider for assistance.

### Resolution

When dealing with most `5XX` errors, the first step is to reach out to your hosting provider or site administrator to help troubleshoot the issue. Share the necessary [error details](https://developers.cloudflare.com/support/troubleshooting/http-status-codes/cloudflare-5xx-errors/#required-error-details-for-hosting-provider) to your hosting provider to assist troubleshooting the issue.

However, if the `500` error contains `cloudflare` or `cloudflare-nginx` in the HTML response body, contact [Cloudflare support](https://developers.cloudflare.com/support/contacting-cloudflare-support/) and provide the following details:

* Your domain name
* The time and timezone of the `500` error occurrence
* The output of `www.example.com/cdn-cgi/trace` from the browser where the `500` error was observed (replace `www.example.com` with your actual domain and hostname)

Note

If you observe blank or white pages when visiting your website, confirm whether the issue occurs when [temporarily pausing Cloudflare](https://developers.cloudflare.com/fundamentals/setup/manage-domains/pause-cloudflare/) and contact your hosting provider for assistance.
