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

Problem:
The client is experiencing issues with locked translations on DE pages of their bilingual website (EN and DE). They are unable to edit translations directly and the fallback to the default language is not functioning on the frontend.
Solution:
We recommend checking if the attributes are added locally (directly in the product editor) or globally (via Products > Attributes). For global attributes, they should be translated using WPML's Taxonomy Translation, accessible at WPML > Taxonomy Translation. If translating a product using the WordPress Editor, ensure it uses global attributes. This approach should unlock the translations and allow the fallback to default language to function correctly on the frontend.

If this solution does not resolve the issue or seems outdated, we highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have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 problems persist, please open a new support ticket.

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This topic contains 8 replies, has 1 voice.

Last updated by Lucas Vidal de Andrade 3 weeks, 5 days ago.

Assisted by: Lucas Vidal de Andrade.

Author Posts
April 11, 2025 at 12:50 pm #16922752

zakW

Background of the issue:
My website languages are EN and DE. On DE pages, some attributes on products do not have translations. I changed the options to translate the pa_size attribute as 'Translatable use translation if available or fallback to default language'.

Symptoms:
When trying to edit the translation on DE, it is locked and I can't edit it. I saw a warning that says 'This is a translation of Small Hand-Turned Wooden Vase – Japanese Burnt Wood Technique. Some of the fields are not editable. It's recommended that you translate products from the Translation Dashboard.' Fallback to default is not working when I check it on the frontend.

Questions:
Can you advise how I can solve the issue of locked translations on DE pages?
How can I edit translations from the Translation Dashboard?
Why is the fallback to default language not working on the frontend?

April 12, 2025 at 11:42 pm #16925862

Andreas W.
WPML Supporter since 12/2018

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch )

Timezone: America/Lima (GMT-05:00)

Hello,

It depends if you use global attributes that were created at Products > Attributes or custom attributes that are declared directly on each product.

If you are using global attributes, you can translate them at WPML > Taxonomy Translation. Those attributes also should be translatable when translating the product with the WPML Translation Editor.

If you are using custom attributes, you will be able to translate them when translating the product with the WPML Translation Editor.

In case you translate your products using the WordPress Editor, you should only use global attributes and translate them at WPML > Taxonomy Translation.

Best regards
Andreas

April 14, 2025 at 1:26 pm #16929746

zakW

Okay thank you.

This solved it. But can you let me know why this happened at all?

April 14, 2025 at 8:13 pm #16931195

Lucas Vidal de Andrade
WPML Supporter since 11/2023

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Portuguese (Brazil) (Português )

Timezone: America/Sao_Paulo (GMT-03:00)

Hey there,

By default, the direct editing of attributes via WP Editor is blocked by WooCommerce. That's why it needs to be translated as my colleague Andreas has advised. This way, WooCommerce ensures the structure is the same, and that only the name of the attributes will be translated. It's a WooCommerce requirement.

April 15, 2025 at 3:14 pm #16935047

zakW

Thank you for that.

Now I'm having a different issue.

I want to translate also the labels of the attribute. Like Size, Material, Colour. These attributes are from WooCommerce. I was able to translate this on String Translations. It works on the backend on the page where you edit a product but on the Frontend it only appears as English the original language.

Can you please advise?

April 15, 2025 at 7:28 pm #16935962

Lucas Vidal de Andrade
WPML Supporter since 11/2023

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Portuguese (Brazil) (Português )

Timezone: America/Sao_Paulo (GMT-03:00)

Hey there,

Please go to WPML > Translation Management and send the product for translation. Add the translation to the labels and values and save, inside the translation editor. Let me know if it works this way.

April 16, 2025 at 8:50 am #16937286

zakW

OK, thank you. We will do this today and see what happens.

Also question, do I only need to translate 1 product and should that translate all attributes across all the products?

April 16, 2025 at 12:29 pm #16938709

zakW

Hi Lucas,

Please can you advise. I've done sending the products to Translation and when I am translating the product I can't see anywhere how to translate the Attribute Labels.

As I said I want to translate the Labels highlighted on my screenshot attached.

need-to-translate-this-labels.jpg
cant-see-where-to-translate-the-labels-here.png
April 16, 2025 at 6:41 pm #16940890

Lucas Vidal de Andrade
WPML Supporter since 11/2023

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Portuguese (Brazil) (Português )

Timezone: America/Sao_Paulo (GMT-03:00)

Hey there,

I checked on your website and noticed that you use WordPress Editor to translate some of your products. I've should taken that into consideration.

Let me explain it in more detail. You can add attributes to products in two ways: locally (directly in the product editor) or globally (via Products > Attributes). When using local attributes, they need to be translated with WPML's translation editor. Global attributes can be translated in WPML > Taxonomy Translation. You can check more details here:

https://wpml.org/documentation/related-projects/woocommerce-multilingual/#translate-and-synchronize-global-attributes

Please, translate all attributes in WPML > Taxonomy Translation. If you are translating a product using the WordPress Editor, make sure it uses global attributes. I hope I made myself clear. Let me know if you have any questions.

Regarding your website, I checked some of your products, and they had the label translated in the Front End. Check the images attached. Were you able to solve the issue?

Kleine Handgedrechselte Holzvase _ Verbranntes Holz _ So Cosy.jpeg
Freya Kissen aus Merinowolle - Hellrosa mit Grauen Tupfen.jpeg