This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.
Problem: The client is experiencing an issue with WPML's Advanced Translation Editor not being activated due to an API authentication error related to an inactive access key. The client did not receive any email to confirm the access key and there have been no recent changes to the website. Solution: We recommend the following steps to resolve the issue: 1. Disable all other plugins to ensure they are not interfering with WPML's functionality. 2. Navigate to WPML → Translation Management to check for any prompts. 3. Unregister and re-register your site's key: - Go to Plugins → Add New, click the Commercial tab, and select Unregister WPML from this site. - After the page loads, click on Register WPML. Follow the prompts to get a new key for your site from your WPML account, setting it as a Production site. - Copy the new key and paste it in the Commercial tab. Delete the old site key in your WPML account. 4. If the error persists, please provide a screenshot of the WPML → Support → Advanced Translation Editor Error page. 5. If WPML was deactivated/reactivated, rest assured that translations and settings are preserved in the database, but ensure to back up your site beforehand. Additionally, if a translation job seems stuck, make a minor edit to the original page and save it to update the translation status, then reattempt the translation in the WPML Translation Editor.
If these steps do not resolve your issue, or if the solution seems outdated or irrelevant to your case, we highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. Please feel free to open a new support ticket for further assistance at WPML support forum.
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Background of the issue:
I have been using WPML on our website for many years without issues. Recently, it stopped working, and I encountered an error message related to WPML’s Advanced Translation Editor. I checked the error log and found an API authentication error regarding an inactive access key. I did not receive any email to confirm the access key, and we have not made any changes to the website recently.
Symptoms:
Error message: 'WPML’s Advanced Translation Editor is enabled but not activated'. Error log: 'Api authentication error access key not active: The access key is not active. Please confirm it using the link from the email'.
Questions:
How can I activate the access key? This was done when WPML was initially installed. How do I do this again?
What could have changed on the website recently to cause WPML to suddenly deactivate?
Could you please upload some screenshots showing the issue you’re experiencing?
Also, does the issue persist if you temporarily deactivate all non-WPML plugins, especially security plugins like WP 2FA – Two-Factor Authentication for WordPress?
Please make sure to back up your database before making any changes.
Hi, please find attached a screenshot of the issue. This occurs whenever I go to translate something. The error does not seem to be attached to the use of another plug-in. Thanks
I need to request temporary access (wp-admin and FTP) to your site—preferably to a test site where the problem has been replicated if possible—in order to be of better help. When you log in to leave your next reply, you will find the needed fields below the comment area. The information you will enter is private, meaning only you and I can see and access it.
Hi, unfortunately at this time it is not possible for us to create and share a test site. Therefore if there are any other suggestions for possible fixes we can try, please let me know.
Additionally, if we disable the WPML plug-in and reactivate it, do we lose all previous translations completed using the plugin? As we are not able to complete any new translations, this is an option we may need to explore. Thanks for your help.
I would still encourage you to test this with only WPML enabled and check the WPML → Translation Management dashboard; other plugins may likely hide any prompts.
Just in case, I would also suggest re-registering your site's key.
1. Go to Plugins → Add New and click the Commercial tab. Click Unregister WPML from this site.
2. Once the page loads, click on Register WPML. A message asking you to enter the site key will appear. Click on Get a key for this site.
3. In your WPML account, complete the site key wizard and set it to Production site.
4. Copy your new key and paste it in the Commercial tab. When done, you can delete your old site key in the WPML account.
If you still have this error, please share a screenshot of the WPML → Support → Advanced Translation Editor Error page.
If you deactivate/reactivate WPML, you won't lose translations or settings as they are stored in your database. But make sure to take backups before changing anything.
Hi, I have tested the use of WPML with all other plug-in disabled and the error message still shows and there is no means of resolving it. Additionally, following the steps above also does not resolve the problem. Therefore, I am still unable to translate any pages.
Please see attached screenshot from the advanced translator editor error log.
I assume that you have registered the site using a new site key.
Based on the screenshot you shared, it seems there might be an issue connecting to WPML’s server.
Please get in touch with your hosting provider and ask them to whitelist the following domains to ensure proper communication with WPML’s services:
• wpml.org
• cdn.wpml.org
• api.wpml.org
• api.toolset.com
• cloudfront.net
Additionally, please check WPML’s Installer Support Log:
Go to WPML → Support → Installer Support and click the Check now button to see if there are any related errors.
I have spoken with our hosting provider and they confirmed they do not block URLS on the hosting environment. I am also ran the installer support check, and this highlighted no issues. Therefore the original error still remains.
Please try the following steps:
1. Go to WPML → Support and click on the Troubleshooting link.
2. On the WPML Troubleshooting page, click the button labeled Force-enable WPML’s Advanced Translation Editor.
The button might not appear, but if it does, click on it.
Hi Andrey, unfortunately the button does not appear. I have now had permission to allow you temporary access to the website as the problem does not seem to be solvable. We do not have a test environment, therefore please advise me on the best and safest way to do this. Should I add you as a new user with admin rights? I will ensure a website back-up is made. Thank you.
Yes, please create a temporary new admin user so it can be deleted when we resolve the issue. When you log in to leave your next reply, you will find the needed fields below the comment area. The information you will enter is private, meaning only you and I can see and access it.
