What Causes 5xx Errors When Importing a Spexo Prebuilt Website?

Did you encounter an issue while importing prebuilt website using the Spexo?

Are you seeing a 5XX error, such as:

Error: 500 Allowed memory size of XXXXXXXX bytes exhausted (tried to allocate XXXXX bytes)

This error may appear in the Spexo “import process interrupted” notification popup or within the debug.log file.

Possible causes include:

• Plugin conflicts or PHP errors on your site
• Hosting-related issues, such as an outdated PHP version or insufficient resources

Let’s explore how to resolve this issue:

Step 1: Fix Plugin Conflicts #

First, deactivate all plugins except Spexo Addons to eliminate any potential conflicts. Then, try importing the prebuilt website again.

Did it work? Great!

If not, let’s move on to the next step.

Step 2: Check WP Debug Log #

Enable WordPress debugging mode by installing the WP Debugging plugin and attempt to import the prebuilt website again. This plugin generates log files that can help identify the root cause of the issue.

Still not working? Let’s proceed to the next step.

Step 3: Update PHP Version #

WordPress supports PHP versions as old as 5.6, but any version below 7.3 is no longer maintained and may expose your site to security risks.

Additionally, outdated PHP versions can slow down your website and cause unexpected issues.

This guide will show you how to check your site’s PHP version. We recommend upgrading to the latest PHP version or at least 7.3 for optimal performance and security.

Step 4: Adjust Hosting Resource Limits #

At times, importing a prebuilt website using Spexo Addons may fail due to restrictions imposed by your server’s PHP configuration.

For your website to function smoothly, it needs a sufficient allocation of resources. If your site is running multiple plugins or handling resource-intensive tasks, there may not be enough available memory and execution time for a successful import. To resolve this, we recommend updating your PHP settings to the following values (these are approximate suggestions):

memory_limit = 512M
max_execution_time = 900
max_input_time = 900
post_max_size = 256M
upload_max_filesize = 720M

By applying these configurations, your website will have the necessary resources, even when running demanding plugins. However, these values are not strict minimum requirements—Spexo Addons operates with minimal resources. If needed, you can gradually increase these limits and test whether the prebuilt website import completes successfully.

For non-technical users, checking log files can be challenging, and the process varies depending on the hosting provider. It’s best to have an expert handle it to avoid any complications.

If you’re unsure, simply reach out to your hosting provider—they’ll be happy to assist you.

Here’s a ready-to-use email template for your request:

If the issue persists, feel free to contact our support team, and we’ll be happy to assist you!