500 Internal Server Error After domain transfer
by Hui Wang
After transferring my domain from byethost to my new web host, I got a 500 internal server error when trying to browser my site. The problem was resolved “itself” after almost 48 hours during which none of my efforts have taken effect. After this pain, there are some gains. Here is the cause I’ve figured out.
What is a 500 Internal Server Error ?
The 500 Internal Server Error is a very general HTTP status code that means something has gone wrong on the web site’s server but the server could not be more specific on what the exact problem is. One thing is certain that the problem is not with your PC or Internet connection but instead is a problem with the web site’s server.
What is the cause ?
In fact, to browser a site from its domain name, a DNS query will be sent to the DNS server to get the IP address associated with the domain name. Usually, the server keeps a cache for domain name resolving. As a result, when I type the domain name in my browser, the HTTP request is still sent to the former web host. As you can see in the message captured by wireshark, the nameserver is always the one of byethost.
DNS Query (click to view details)
Conclusion
To resolve this kind of 500 error, you’d better firstly clear the DNS cache in your own PC and then wait until your DNS server updates its cache. Be patient.
Comments
This has nothing to do with DNS, so why do you associate HTTP500 with DNS? They are not related and the last step you describe is utterly pointless. More useless junk filling the internets!!
My dear Huhh, I’m sorry about the confusion.
You’d better read again the the cause and look at the DNS query captured by Wireshark.
Because of the DNS cache in the server side of my internet service provider, my domain name could not be associated with my new web host. This point could be proved by the capture. So when a http request is sent to the former sever who can’t recognize the domain name any more, a 500 internal server error is returned.
I appreciate a lot your different ideas but not at all your manners.