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[Closed] Fatal error on translators

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This topic is split from https://wpml.org/forums/topic/not-a-valid-json-response/

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This topic contains 9 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Paola Mendiburu 1 month, 1 week ago.

Assisted by: Paola Mendiburu.

Author Posts
February 2, 2026 at 1:57 pm #17784117

andreasH-18

Am really happy dealing direct with you. On a different website: hidden link...

I go to the Translation Dashboard in the WPML menu, when I click on the Translators tab the site goes to the fatal error warning. Everything else in WPML is working okay.
February 2, 2026 at 1:58 pm #17784119

Paola Mendiburu
WPML Supporter since 11/2020

Languages: Italian (Italiano )

Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+02:00)

Hi there!

To find out the details of the error you are getting, could you do the following?
- Access the wp-config.php file (located in the WordPress root).
- Insert these lines just before /* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */

define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);

Please go to WPML--> Translation dashboard --> Translators, then access the debug log here: /wp-content/debug.log and copy and paste the information into your next reply.
More info: https://wordpress.org/support/article/debugging-in-wordpress/

Having this report will help us find the root of the problem.
February 3, 2026 at 11:09 am #17787082

andreasH-18

here it is:

[03-Feb-2026 11:04:21 UTC] register meta
[03-Feb-2026 11:04:21 UTC] PHP Fatal error: Uncaught TypeError: WPML_WP_Roles::get_highest_level(): Argument #1 ($capabilities) must be of type array, string given, called in /var/www/vhosts/connect.kwsoft.com/connect.kwsoft.com/wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/classes/wpml-wp/class-wpml-wp-roles.php on line 94 and defined in /var/www/vhosts/connect.kwsoft.com/connect.kwsoft.com/wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/classes/wpml-wp/class-wpml-wp-roles.php:56
Stack trace:
#0 /var/www/vhosts/connect.kwsoft.com/connect.kwsoft.com/wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/classes/wpml-wp/class-wpml-wp-roles.php(94): WPML_WP_Roles::get_highest_level()
#1 [internal function]: WPML_WP_Roles::{closure}()
#2 /var/www/vhosts/connect.kwsoft.com/connect.kwsoft.com/wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/vendor/wpml/collect/src/Illuminate/Support/Arr.php(504): array_filter()
#3 /var/www/vhosts/connect.kwsoft.com/connect.kwsoft.com/wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/vendor/wpml/collect/src/Illuminate/Support/Collection.php(282): WPML\Collect\Support\Arr::where()
#4 /var/www/vhosts/connect.kwsoft.com/connect.kwsoft.com/wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/classes/wpml-wp/class-wpml-wp-roles.php(98): WPML\Collect\Support\Collection->filter()
#5 /var/www/vhosts/connect.kwsoft.com/connect.kwsoft.com/wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/classes/wpml-wp/class-wpml-wp-roles.php(44): WPML_WP_Roles::get_roles_with_max_level()
#6 /var/www/vhosts/connect.kwsoft.com/connect.kwsoft.com/wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/classes/translation-roles/UI/Initializer.php(77): WPML_WP_Roles::get_roles_up_to_user_level()
#7 /var/www/vhosts/connect.kwsoft.com/connect.kwsoft.com/wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/classes/translation-roles/UI/Initializer.php(45): WPML\TranslationRoles\UI\Initializer::getTranslationData()
#8 /var/www/vhosts/connect.kwsoft.com/connect.kwsoft.com/wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/classes/translation-roles/UI/Initializer.php(33): WPML\TranslationRoles\UI\Initializer::getData()
#9 /var/www/vhosts/connect.kwsoft.com/connect.kwsoft.com/wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/classes/menu/translation-roles/class-wpml-tm-translation-
February 4, 2026 at 10:57 am #17790896

Paola Mendiburu
WPML Supporter since 11/2020

Languages: Italian (Italiano )

Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+02:00)

The error you are seeing (WPML_WP_Roles::get_highest_level()) is caused by custom roles that do not have valid capabilities assigned. In this situation, WPML receives an invalid value, which results in a white screen / 500 error.

To fix this:

1. Install the plugin:
https://wordpress.org/plugins/user-roles-and-capabilities/

2. Go to Users → Roles & Capabilities

3. Identify the roles without capabilities and either delete them or assign at least one capability

4. Go back to WPML → Translation Management and complete the configuration
February 9, 2026 at 10:16 am #17804418

andreasH-18

Am not sure if I can do that. The site uses Advanced Access Manager as they have over 1,000 users. All seem to have roles assigned.

I checked the capabilities of the admins in this plugin, which I will upload. Do admins need a capability assigning here so they can access the translator tab?

Screenshot 2026-02-09 at 17-15-04 AAM ‹ kwconnect — WordPress.png
February 9, 2026 at 3:28 pm #17805947

Paola Mendiburu
WPML Supporter since 11/2020

Languages: Italian (Italiano )

Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+02:00)

Please let me know how I can reproduce the issue.

I would like to request temporary access (wp-admin and FTP) to your site to take a better look at the issue. You will find the needed fields for this below the comment area when you log in to leave your next reply. The information you will enter is private which means only you and I can see and have access to it.

Privacy and Security Policy
We have strict policies regarding privacy and access to your information. Please see:
https://wpml.org/purchase/support-policy/privacy-and-security-when-providing-debug-information-for-support/

**IMPORTANT**
- Please make a backup of the site files and database before providing us access.
- If you do not see the wp-admin/FTP fields this means your post & website login details will be made PUBLIC. DO NOT post your website details unless you see the required wp-admin/FTP fields. If you do not, please ask me to enable the private box.
The private box looks like this: hidden link
February 10, 2026 at 2:05 pm #17809493

Paola Mendiburu
WPML Supporter since 11/2020

Languages: Italian (Italiano )

Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+02:00)

Hi there!

I’m getting an “Invalid username or password” error when trying to log in.

Is this a staging site? If so, could you please try deactivating all plugins and then check whether the issue still persists?

Let me know how it goes, and we’ll take it from there
February 11, 2026 at 1:56 pm #17812952

Paola Mendiburu
WPML Supporter since 11/2020

Languages: Italian (Italiano )

Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+02:00)

I get the same error.

On that case, is it posible to have access to a staging site? That way I can investigate the issue without affecting your site.

Thank you!
February 18, 2026 at 3:39 am #17830671

andreasH-18

Hi, sorry for the delay for sorting things with the customer. They can make a staging site but they do not allow external employees access to their sites. Do you think there's another way?
February 18, 2026 at 1:01 pm #17832483

Paola Mendiburu
WPML Supporter since 11/2020

Languages: Italian (Italiano )

Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+02:00)

As the problem is related to roles permission, I recommend you to create a new user.

If the problem persists with new user, deactivate all plugin and leave only WPML ones and see if the problem persists. It seems related to User Role Editor.

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