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

Problem:
The client is experiencing an issue where the 'en-eu' hreflang tag is missing, and an incorrect 'en-nl' hreflang tag is appearing on their technical SEO page, even though they do not have a Dutch (nl) language set up on their website.
Solution:
1. Confirm that the 'en-us' translation page exists and is correctly linked. Also, ensure that 'x-default' correctly points to the default language page.
2. Perform a backup of your site.
3. Disable all plugins except for WPML plugins and switch to the WordPress default theme to check if the issue persists.
4. If the problem continues under these minimal conditions, provide wp-admin access for further investigation.
5. It was discovered that the 'en-nl' hreflang was incorrectly set for Basque language in the WPML language settings. Correcting this setting should resolve the issue.

Please note that this solution might be outdated or not applicable to your specific case.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 issue persists, please open a new support ticket.

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This topic contains 2 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Dražen 3 months, 3 weeks ago.

Assisted by: Dražen.

Author Posts
February 12, 2025 at 5:59 am #16694083

Andy

Background of the issue:
I am trying to fix an issue with hreflang on the page hidden link. Both hreflang="en-us" and hreflang="x-default" are incorrectly pointing to the European version of the page instead of the American one. I have tried deleting and restoring the language version and unlinking the translation, but it didn’t help.

Symptoms:
hreflang="en-us" and hreflang="x-default" point to the wrong language version of the page.

Questions:
Is there a way to fix the hreflang issue without recreating all language versions of the page from scratch?

February 12, 2025 at 8:41 am #16694629

Dražen
Supporter

Languages: English (English )

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

Hello,

Does the en-us translation page exist and is it backed? If yes, then it should point correctly.

Note. x-default points to the default language page.

If this is all correct for you, but it still shows wrong in the frontend please check:

- Make sure you have a backup.
- Disable all other plugins and leave active only WPML plugins
- Switch to WP default theme
- Check if the issue still happens.

Let me know how it goes.

Regards,
Drazen

February 12, 2025 at 1:22 pm #16696649

Andy

After deactivating the Custom Permalinks Plugin, I see that hreflang="en-us" and hreflang="x-default" are correct. However, the en-eu hreflang is now missing, and a en-nl hreflang has appeared—even though we don't even have a nl language on our website.

Screenshot_18.png
February 12, 2025 at 1:37 pm #16696885

Dražen
Supporter

Languages: English (English )

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

Hello,

thanks for getting back.

If possible, I would advise checking in minimal condtions, as suggested in my last reply to confirm the issue is not caused by some other plugin/code.

If the issue still happens in those conditions, please provide wp-admin access so I can take a look at what could be wrong.

Regards,
Drazen

February 13, 2025 at 1:45 pm #16702796

Dražen
Supporter

Languages: English (English )

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

Hello,

thanks, note I have installed the WPML String translation addon which is required to translate strings, page builders and etc.

As for your issue with en-nl hreflang, that is correct, you have set that one when editing language, for Basque you have en-nl set, image attached.

- hidden link

Regards,
Drazen

Languages ‹ epiic.com — WordPress.jpg