product category pages not found

This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.

Problem:
If you're experiencing 404 errors on product category pages after activating WPML, it might be due to incorrect translation settings.
Solution:
We recommend checking the translation of your product categories in WPML. Specifically, ensure that the product category slug is correctly translated to match the original language setting. You can do this by navigating to WPML → String Translation and verifying that the 'product-category' is translated appropriately. If it's not, update the translation accordingly.

If this solution does not resolve your issue, or if it seems outdated or not applicable to your case, we highly recommend opening a new support ticket. Additionally, please check related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verify the version of the permanent fix, and confirm that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. For further assistance, you can also visit our support forum at https://wpml.org/forums/.

This is the technical support forum for WPML - the multilingual WordPress plugin.

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Tagged: Exception, WCML

This topic contains 8 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Andrey 1 day, 22 hours ago.

Assisted by: Andrey.

Author	Posts
February 16, 2026 at 10:43 pm #17827088
olafsO	Everything works fine except product category pages throw out 404 error. I troubleshooted and it appears that problem occurs upon WPML activation, as otherwise everything works fine.
February 16, 2026 at 11:16 pm #17827113
olafsO	Also I am not sure why some things are not showing up in other language... Let me know, when I can cntact you directly, because we need to launch the shop soon and categories not working properly is a big pain now. - Olafs
February 16, 2026 at 11:21 pm #17827114
Andrey WPML Supporter since 06/2013 Languages: English (English ) Russian (Русский ) Timezone: Europe/Kyiv (GMT+02:00)	Thank you for contacting WPML support. Could you please share a few specific examples (URLs or screenshots) where the issue can be observed? This will help me better understand the exact behavior you’re experiencing. Also, does the issue still persist if you temporarily disable the WPML plugins and then visit the main category page? This test will help determine whether WPML is directly involved or if the issue may be caused by something else (for example, the theme or another plugin).
February 16, 2026 at 11:28 pm #17827116
olafsO	The issue goes away when WPML is disabled. I clicked through all plugins and "WPML" is at the end... heh. Also it's the same using stock theme, woo storefront theme, etc. I checked all this. Flushed the permalings, whatnot. Here's the main Shop page: hidden link There there's three small menus and the second one is for categories. Every of them should work, the URL shows up correct [for example: hidden link;
February 16, 2026 at 11:32 pm #17827118
Andrey WPML Supporter since 06/2013 Languages: English (English ) Russian (Русский ) Timezone: Europe/Kyiv (GMT+02:00)	Thank you for your feedback. 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.
February 17, 2026 at 12:00 am #17827127
Andrey WPML Supporter since 06/2013 Languages: English (English ) Russian (Русский ) Timezone: Europe/Kyiv (GMT+02:00)	Thank you for the updates. You have a lot of tasks 🙂 Can you please check now? I think the product-category slug was translated incorrectly. I have corrected its translations in WPML → String Translation. It looks to be working now. hidden link
February 17, 2026 at 5:25 am #17827481
olafsO	Yep, works! Could you guide where was the culprit? And why it did not work in original language version even?
February 17, 2026 at 5:39 am #17827559
olafsO	Also another thing - despite I am modifying colours, changes do not appear on the site. For example - the link to Active Language should be darker. New threads created by Andrey and linked to this one are listed below: https://wpml.org/forums/topic/split-modifying-colours-changes-do-not-appear-on-the-site/
February 17, 2026 at 8:51 am #17828252
Andrey WPML Supporter since 06/2013 Languages: English (English ) Russian (Русский ) Timezone: Europe/Kyiv (GMT+02:00)	It didn't work in the original language because the product category was translated into its native language. However, your site was still pointing to product-category. I have re-translated it to product-category in WPML → String Translation. I am attaching the screenshot to see how it was done. Also, I opened a separate ticket for your new question so everything stays organized and each issue gets proper attention. I’ll continue helping you here: https://wpml.org/forums/topic/split-modifying-colours-changes-do-not-appear-on-the-site/