Can't update past version 4.2.7 without getting an INTERNAL SERVER ERROR

[Robert]

Hello,

I have recently updated my license for Event Calendar PRO, but when I try to update the plugin on my site, I get a 500 INTERNAL SERVER ERROR. This is extremely frustrating. I’ve been unable to update this plugin for months, I was hoping that with the latest releases, I would be able to finally get this plugin updated, but to no avail.

I need to know what to do (besides disabling all plugins and going back to the default themes becuase it’s worked fine before the updates) in order to get this updated to the latest version…

I am currently restoring the site to the previous version… and hopefully it works. In the meantime, I need a solution for upgrading.

Thanks,

Rob

[Robert]

Just a note: It was working fine when it was version 4.2.7 (EVENT CALENDAR)

[Geoff B.]

Good evening Robert and welcome back!

Thank you for reaching out to us.

We are sorry to hear about the issues you have been facing while attempting to upgrade.
I would love to help you with this topic.

As a first troubleshooting step, could you please provide us with your complete system information in a private reply using the instructions found in the following link?

https://theeventscalendar.com/knowledgebase/sharing-sys-info/

With that in hand, I will be able to counsel you on the best upgrade solution for you.

Secondly, can you tell me if the error happens with matching versions of the Events Calendar and the Events Calendar Pro (e.g.: they are both at 4.3.3) ?

Finally, error 500 messages are typically caused by issues with the .htaccess file being corrupted somehow. If that ever happens again (regardless of the cause), I would highly recommend taking a look at that file’s content and permissions.

Hang in there!

Best regards,

Geoff B.

[Robert]

Correction, the last working version was 4.1.4. for the Events Calendar and 4.1.3 for the Event Calendar PRO. So I don’t have the option that was linked previously. This plugin has always given me issues, but normally after trying it multiple times, it will eventually work.

It’s not an .htaccess file issue as we’re on a Windows machine and don’t use .htaccess.

Where would I find the system information to send you privately? Let me know and I’ll forward it along.

It seems as though the PRO version installs fine, but then tells me that its unusable with the standard version I have installed. When I try to update the Standard version, the 500 error appears. I’ve tried installed it through the WordPress interface as well as manually uploading via FTP and I get the same error.

Please let me know what I need to do in order to get this properly updated.

Thanks,

Rob

[Geoff B.]

Good afternoon Rob,

Thank you for writing back and providing some more explanations.

I see what you mean, this is a pretty big upgrade. Hopefully, once we settle this issue, your experience with the plugins will be much smoother moving forward.

Where would I find the system information to send you privately? Let me know and I’ll forward it along.

In version 4.1.4, the help tab was found under Events -> Settings -> Help

Please let me know what I need to do in order to get this properly updated.

That’s a good question. As a rule of thumb, you absolutely need to upgrade the free plugin first.

Here is my recommended action plan:

1. Please make a database backup
2. Deactivate and delete both the Events Calendar and the Events Calendar Pro
3. Download the latest version of both plugins https://theeventscalendar.com/my-account/downloads/
4. Install them manually via WordPress’ built-in Add plugin interface (upload zip file)
5. Activate the free plugin and then the Pro plugin.

You should be all set.

Let me know how that goes.

Best regards,
Geoff B.

[Robert]

This reply is private.

[Geoff B.]

Good afternoon Rob,

Thank you for writing back.

Upon looking at your system information, I am noticing a couple of things:

1. Please deactivate Event Rocket. This plugin is known to break since the Events Calendar 4. Many of its functionalities are now part of our plugin’s code.
2. I am noticing that you are using an older version of PHP. I would highly recommend upgrading to at least 5.4+ (in fact WordPress recommends 5.6+ – but 5.4 will do the trick for now).

The issue is that if I install the new version and it doesn’t work, it destroys the database and then it take my IT company 4-6 hours to rebuild the database from old backups.

I see your point. Actually, the new version will not destroy or delete the database.
If it does not work, you can simply revert back to the old version of the plugin: https://theeventscalendar.com/knowledgebase/downgrading-plugin-past-version/

In other words, it is quick to fix if anything (without going back to a previous database Backup).

As a precaution, I recommend you turn on a “Maintenance Page” plugin while doing that.

Let me know how that goes.

Best regards,
Geoff B.

[Robert]

I’ve tried your suggestions. I’ve updated to PHP v. 5.4. I deactivated and
deleted Event Rocket, I deactivated and deleted the Event Calendar and Event
Calendar Pro. I reinstalled the newest versions and as soon as I try to
active the BASE version of the Event Calendar, the site breaks. 500 Internal
Server Error again!

I need to be able to update this plugin, please let me know what the next
steps are in order to get this working. This is very frustrating. This is
the only plugin that gives me issues.

I can’t get past v 4.1.4 for the Base version and v 4.1.3 for the PRO
version. Once I try v 4.2.xxx or greater for either, Bam! It breaks.

PLEASE HELP!

[Geoff B.]

Good evening Rob,

Thank you for writing back.

I am sorry to hear that the recommended tweaks did not fix your issue. Yikes!

I totally understand how frustrating that must be!

Please know that I want nothing more than to help you update and get rid of these nasty error messages as quickly as possible.

With that in mind, I believe we need to pull out the big guns and leave no stone unturned.

1. I would recommend reading the following: http://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-fix-the-internal-server-error-in-wordpress/ . I realize you are using a Window server, but we need to make sure your memory settings (PHP and all) are sufficient.
2. While doing the upgrade, can you deactivate the Events Calendar Pro completely and only upgrade the Events Calendar free to 4.3.4.2 . and see if that still generates the error ?
3. If step 2, proved successful, can you then separately upgrade the Events Calendar Pro manually  and see how that goes after activation of the plugin ?
4. If in any of the previous steps, there is an issue, can you temporarily revert back to Divi (not your child theme and see if that helps) ?

Let me know if that helps.

Have a great day!

Geoff B.

[Robert]

The issue is with Event Calendar, not the PRO version. Whenever I try to update the the FREE version to anything past 4.1, it breaks the site. I’ve tried removing the PRO and Event Rocket and just activating the NEW version and it doesn’t work.

I reverted back to Divi, and that didn’t help either. Nothing has changed on site Child Theme since it was created over a year ago, so that shouldn’t be affecting it, as 4.1 is working fine with the Child Theme.

Should I try incremental updates? I’m at a loss here.

[Geoff B.]

Good evening Rob,

Thank you once again for sticking with us on this one.
I would like to see this through with you.

Incremental backups are absolutely worth a try.

However, before you do, I would like to recommend a more drastic approach to things:

1. Deactivate and delete ALL of our plugins
2. Reinstall them from scratch to the very latest versions of the plugins, starting with the Events Calendar free.

That should not impact anything in the database.
But, it is always advised to do a Database backup first.

I would also advise having the regular Divi theme on while doing so.

I totally believe you when you say that the child theme has worked fine up to now.
However, sometimes, certain customizations found in Child themes need updating to work with the latest versions of our plugins (e.g.: deprecated functions).

Hang in there!

Geoff B.

[Robert]

OK. So I have another site, that’s using a completely different theme and it’s also unable to update past 4.1.4. So that would tell me that it has nothing to do with the Child Theme, especially because the Child Theme is only updating CSS, we’re not using it to add any custom functions.

I’ve already tried deleting Event Calendar, Event Calendar PRO, and Event Rocket and reinstalling all of them from scratch (via FTP) with the latest versions. As soon as I activate Event Calendar. BAM! 500 Internal Server Error! I am running WordPress on a Windows Server, I don’t know if that has anything to do with it.

I will try, one more time, with the main Divi Site activated. I will let you know how it goes. I’m not hopeful though.

[Robert]

I took the steps above and still got the same error!

[Geoff B.]

Good evening Robert,

I must say, I am really taken aback that none of these things have worked.
I really hoped they did.

Out of curiosity, was the other website on the same server ? (in case this could be server related)
Could you also tell me what your PHP memory limit and max execution times are ?

Since I am running out of solutions for you, I will escalate this issue that we both wish to be resolved badly.

Let me get another pair of expert eyes on this one.

Best regards,

Geoff B.

[Robert]

Yes, they are on the same server. The limits are set to the server default. I can customize them as necessary. Is there a minimum that each should be set to? If so, let me know and I will update and try again.

Thanks,

Rob

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