This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.
Problem: You are trying to export translations to XLIFF using WPML and encountering an 'export to .xliif failed' error, a 500 AJAX error, and an 'invalid site key' message, despite the site key being valid. Solution: We found a fatal error in your logs indicating issues with sending a file during the export process. This might be due to conflicts with your child theme. Here are the steps we recommend: 1. On your staging site, switch to the parent theme. 2. Try to download the XLIFF file again. 3. If the problem resolves, it suggests that your child theme's code is causing the conflict. You will need to identify and adjust the problematic code.
If this solution does not resolve your issue or seems outdated, please check for related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verify the version of the permanent fix, and ensure you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. If problems persist, we highly recommend opening a new support ticket at WPML support forum.
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Background of the issue:
I am trying to export my translations to XLIFF using WPML on my site hidden link.
Symptoms:
I get the 'export to .xliif failed' error, a 500 AJAX error in the console, and an 'invalid site key' message in my settings, even though the site key is valid. Most other WPML functions are working.
Questions:
Why am I getting an 'export to .xliif failed' error?
What causes a 500 AJAX error during export?
Why does the site key show as invalid even though it is valid?
Languages: English (English )Spanish (Español )Italian (Italiano )
Timezone: Europe/Rome (GMT+02:00)
Hello,
Could you allow us access to your site and also permission to install a plugin called "File Manager" so we can try to trigger the 500 error and check for error logs and ultimately try to find a solution to the problem?
I checked the website and encountered a 500 error during export. To investigate this further, I’ll need to install the File Manager plugin. This will allow me to enable WordPress debugging and review the logs once I replicate the issue. Am I allowed to do so?
[09-Sep-2025 10:30:54 UTC] PHP Fatal error: Uncaught Exception: Unable to send file 'The World Can Be Yours-translation-job-25.zip'. Output buffer contains the following text (typically warnings or errors):
in /wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/inc/wpml_zip.php:501
Stack trace:
#0 /wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/classes/xliff/class-wpml-tm-xliff-frontend.php(393): wpml_zip->sendZip('The World Can B...')
#1 /wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/classes/xliff/class-wpml-tm-xliff-frontend.php(196): WPML_TM_Xliff_Frontend->stream_xliff_archive(Object(wpml_zip))
#2 /wp-includes/class-wp-hook.php(324): WPML_TM_Xliff_Frontend->init('')
#3 /wp-includes/class-wp-hook.php(348): WP_Hook->apply_filters(NULL, Array)
#4 /wp-includes/plugin.php(517): WP_Hook->do_action(Array)
#5 /wp-settings.php(727): do_action('init')
#6 /wp-config.php(107): require_once('/home/thewor17/...')
#7 /wp-load.php(50): require_once('/home/thewor17/...')
#8 /wp-admin/admin.php(35): require_once('/home/thewor17/...')
#9 {main}
thrown in /wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/inc/wpml_zip.php on line 501
However, I can also see several warnings and notices related to your child theme, which mention some language codes and word 'translations'. I suspect that part of your custom code is interfering with the process of downloading the XLIFF files.
Here’s what I recommend:
1. On your staging site, temporarily activate the parent theme.
2. Attempt to download the XLIFF file again.
3. If the issue no longer occurs, it means that some part of your child theme’s code is causing the conflict. You’ll then need to identify which specific part of the code is responsible and adjust it or comment it out.
