An error occurred while updating WPML SEO: Download failed. Method Not Allowed

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

Problem:
You are trying to update the WPML SEO plugin but encounter an error message: 'Download failed. Method Not Allowed.' This issue occurs across multiple websites.
Solution:
If you're experiencing this issue, we recommend checking the AWS CAPTCHA triggers. In this case, they were responsible for generating too many requests from the server's IP address, leading to HTTP 405 errors.

Please note that this solution might be outdated or not applicable to your specific case.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. If the problem persists, please open a new support ticket at WPML support forum.

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Tagged: Exception

This topic contains 24 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Bruno Kos 1 year ago.

Assisted by: Bruno Kos.

Author	Posts
July 9, 2025 at 2:27 pm #17219687
John-Pierre Cornelissen	Background of the issue: I am trying to update the WPML SEO plugin. The update process starts, and I see a message indicating that the process may take a while. The URL for the update is https://wpml.org/?download=3566177&version=2.2.1&site_key=lTOjAAK9Qv&site_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwpml.hrcws.nl&wpml_version=4.7.6. Symptoms: An error occurred while updating WPML SEO: Download failed. Method Not Allowed. Questions: Why did the download fail with a 'Method Not Allowed' error? How can I successfully update the WPML SEO plugin? Note, I tried multiple websites and this update fails on all of them
July 10, 2025 at 8:20 am #17222352
Bruno Kos WPML Supporter since 12/2018 Languages: English (English ) German (Deutsch ) French (Français ) Timezone: Europe/Zagreb (GMT+02:00)	Hi, The "Method Not Allowed" error during the plugin update may be related to an issue with the site key registered on WPML.org. As a next step, please try recreating the site key for the affected site. Instructions are available here: https://wpml.org/faq/how-to-remove-the-this-site-is-registered-on-wpml-org-as-a-development-site-notice/#what-if-the-notice-still-appears-after-moving-to-production As a quick workaround, you can also download and install the latest version of WPML SEO manually from this page: https://wpml.org/download/yoast-seo-multilingual/?section=changelog Let me know if the issue continues.
July 10, 2025 at 11:47 am #17223606
John-Pierre Cornelissen	Hi, Thanks but no, this can't be a site key issue. » In my first post I gave the download url. It lnk contains the site key and that same key is listed under my registered sites in my wpml account. » 9 out of 17 sites fail to update this plugin, while all these sites updated WPML Multilingual CMS from v4.7.4 to v4.7.5 on 28 May 25 without a problem. I don't see a difference between the 8 sites that do update and the 9 that don't. » It happens with development and production sites. » I unregistered and registered this site with a new key to be sure it's not the key. It didn't fix the issue. The server log doesn't show errors, there are also no errors when I enable WP debug mode and the developers console also doesn't show errors. I just tried to update the plugin on this site several times. You can probably see it on your end, including why it fails. Thanks JP
July 10, 2025 at 3:06 pm #17224670
Bruno Kos Supporter	Thanks for the details. I'm checking this with our systems team and will update you as soon as I hear back.
July 14, 2025 at 5:43 am #17231599
Bruno Kos Supporter	After testing the WPML SEO plugin version 2.2.1 in our own environment, we confirmed that the plugin update functions correctly. Based on this, we believe the issue on your site is likely due to an invalid or incorrect WPML registration key. To verify this, I would like to temporarily register a valid WPML key from our account on your website and attempt the update. This will help us confirm whether the registration key is the root cause of the issue. Would you be willing to provide me with WordPress admin credentials so I can investigate the issue directly? https://wpml.org/purchase/support-policy/privacy-and-security-when-providing-debug-information-for-support/ I’ve marked your next reply as private so you can safely share the login credentials with us.
July 14, 2025 at 12:20 pm #17233732
Bruno Kos Supporter	I registered my own key on hidden link, but the update has failed again. I’m currently following up with our 2nd tier team to investigate the issue further.
July 16, 2025 at 5:53 am #17240027
Bruno Kos Supporter	As a temporary workaround, we manually downloaded the WPML SEO package from the WPML account and uploaded it directly to the site. That said, the original error indicates that the resource exists, but the HTTP method used is not permitted. On LiteSpeed servers, this is typically due to security tools like ModSecurity or Imunify360 blocking certain request types (e.g., HEAD, OPTIONS, or large GET requests). Please check with your hosting provider on the following: 1. Review the ModSecurity/Imunify360 configuration to see if any rules may be blocking specific HTTP methods. Common rule sets to look out for include: * OWASP CRS: REQUEST-912-DOS-PROTECTION * Comodo/Imunify360: WordPress Brute Force rules 2. If such rules are in place, consider whitelisting the domain https://wpml.org 3. Also, check for any custom .htaccess rules that might be causing conflicts. Let us know once these items have been checked or if you need further assistance.
July 16, 2025 at 2:08 pm #17242422
John-Pierre Cornelissen	Thank you Bruno. Never though about this could be server related, but you are right. The sites that don't update are all on the same server. And those that do update are all on another server, but at the same hosting provider and the same hosting package. Now I am fighting with them get this sorted out. 😒 It's not modsecurity, it still fails with that disabled. Maybe Imunify360, but there is nothing in it's log and I can't disable that that. I will get back on it if I know more. Thanks! JP
July 16, 2025 at 2:59 pm #17242801
John-Pierre Cornelissen	Another update, my hosting provider says they don't see imunify360 firewall blocking the request, and I tested with modsecurity disables. They claim that it can't be something on their server, because all their servers follow the same rules. I also tested with all other plugins disabled and with the default htaccess. So there is nothing on the site blocking it either. Could it be a firewall rule or something on your end? Website winketendrinken.nl fails to update the plugin - s1153 on IP 45.152.250.24 // 2a12:5040:1:303:be24:11ff:fe24:ef6e Website pietdeleeuw.nl updates the plugin correctly - s1122 on IP 194.5.132.10 // 2a12:5040:1:301:348d:92ff:fede:27c6 Thanks JP
July 16, 2025 at 3:31 pm #17242926
John-Pierre Cornelissen	And another one Hosting provider tried to download with the terminal and that also fails, so that also looks like the issue is on the wpml side after all. --2025-07-16 16:16:47-- https://wpml.org/?download=3566177 Resolving wpml.org (wpml.org)... 52.0.143.252, 35.172.97.48 Connecting to wpml.org (wpml.org)\|52.0.143.252\|:443... connected. HTTP request sent, awaiting response... 405 Not Allowed 2025-07-16 16:16:48 ERROR 405: Not Allowed.
July 18, 2025 at 3:39 pm #17251435
Bruno Kos Supporter	Our systems team is still checking this, I will keep you posted.
July 21, 2025 at 12:57 pm #17255691
Bruno Kos Supporter	Our systems support team has looked into this further and confirmed that the issue appears to be on your server. There are no blocks or restrictions from our side. As for the terminal test using https://wpml.org/?download=3566177, the failure is expected, as this is not a valid URL for direct download. To investigate this more thoroughly and pinpoint the exact cause, we would need access to your server environment. Would it be possible to arrange that?
July 21, 2025 at 1:32 pm #17255872
John-Pierre Cornelissen	Hi Bruno, thank you for getting back to me. Do you mean cPanel access? Yes I can provide that if you enable a secure reply.
July 21, 2025 at 1:45 pm #17256015
johannS-13	I have the same issue with newest WPML SEO release on multiple client websites. This was never a problem until this update. if it is a server problem, quite a few seem to be affected. Are there any news on this?
July 22, 2025 at 6:59 pm #17260957
Pablo	Also running into this problem today.