Translation status stuck at "Processing translation (could take a few minutes)"

Overview of the issue

In some cases, you may see that your translations are stuck at Processing translation (could take a few minutes) status, even if they are translated to 100%.

If you go to WPML → Support → Advanced Translation Editor Error Logs, you will see an error such as:

The uploaded xliff file does not seem to be properly formed. Missing or wrong data: target.

And if you check the XLIFF file, you will see the target is empty: <![CDATA[]]>.

      <trans-unit extradata="et_pb_blurb: link_option_url" resname="package-string-148-5750" restype="string" datatype="html" id="package-string-148-5750">
        <source>
          <![CDATA[#]]>
        </source>
        <target state="needs-review-translation" state-qualifier="tm-suggestion">
          <![CDATA[]]>
        </target>
      </trans-unit>

Workaround

To solve this:

1. Open your stuck translation in the Advanced Translation Editor.
2. Search for # using the Search source box.
3. Copy # to the missing translations and mark your translation as complete.