Title: Customize causes Internal Server error
Last modified: August 21, 2016

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# Customize causes Internal Server error

 *  Resolved [sjmullock](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sjmullock/)
 * (@sjmullock)
 * [12 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/customize-causes-internal-server-error/)
 * I am trying to get a WordPress site going for a friend. I was originally trying
   to get multisite working, but when I ran into this problem I deleted everything
   and installed from scratch into the home directory of the webspace. After an 
   install the dashboard comes up ok when I log in and everything else seems to 
   work, but if I try and customize the theme, I get an error “Internal Server Error”.
   I have tried installing WP using Softaculous (under cPanel) and also by hand (
   WP vs 3.8.2), either way I get the same result. I have not installed any themes;
   I am trying with the default theme. The site is hosted at eUKhost; I have another
   WP site with them which has been working fine, though I haven’t tried the “customize”
   option. I have Googled and not found anyone else with the same problem. I used
   phpinfo() to tell me that the PHP version is 5.2.17. Please can anyone suggest
   what to look at next. I don’t want to invest a load of time building this site
   if a fundemental problem is lurking.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

 *  [kjodle](https://wordpress.org/support/users/kjodle/)
 * (@kjodle)
 * [12 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/customize-causes-internal-server-error/#post-4796306)
 * > but if I try and customize the theme, I get an error “Internal Server Error”
 * Which theme file are you trying to edit? It sounds like you’re editing PHP, doing
   it wrong, and the server gives you the 500 error.
 * You really shouldn’t edit themes directly. Use a child theme, and customise that.
   It reduces the chances of getting these errors.
 * > I used phpinfo() to tell me that the PHP version is 5.2.17.
 * PHP 5.2 is terribly out of date and not even supported anymore. You should ask
   your host to update you to at least 5.3. If they won’t, it’s time to find a new
   host.
 *  Thread Starter [sjmullock](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sjmullock/)
 * (@sjmullock)
 * [12 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/customize-causes-internal-server-error/#post-4796355)
 * The default theme is TwentyFourteen. That’s straight after the install. I was
   not editing the theme directly. When you first fire up the dashbboard on the 
   first page it says:
 * Welcome to WordPress!
 * We’ve assembled some links to get you started:
    Get Started Customize Your Site
 * Where “Customize Your Site” is a button. This is what causes the crash. However,
   the same effect can be achived by selecting ‘Appearance’, ‘Themes’ and then hitting
   the Customize button there. Surely this is the way it was intended to be used.
 * The PHP version is compatble with the requirements listed for WordPress; I checked.
   It would be nice to have some clue as to what the problem is before trying to
   pester the hosting company to upgrade, or find another one. Any ideas?
 *  Thread Starter [sjmullock](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sjmullock/)
 * (@sjmullock)
 * [12 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/customize-causes-internal-server-error/#post-4796498)
 * Well just in case anyone else finds themselves here, the problem is now solved.
   I put in a support ticket with eUKhost and they said that the problem was with
   the PHP eaccelerator function. They say they disabled it and now the problem 
   has disappeared.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

The topic ‘Customize causes Internal Server error’ is closed to new replies.

## Tags

 * [server-error](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/server-error/)

 * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/)
 * 3 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [sjmullock](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sjmullock/)
 * Last activity: [12 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/customize-causes-internal-server-error/#post-4796498)
 * Status: resolved

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