This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.
Problem: The client is experiencing a persistent database error related to a missing table 'wp_icl_background_task' while using WPML on their website. Despite attempting to resolve the issue through the WPML troubleshooting page and reinstalling WPML, the error persists, causing white screens (fatal errors). Solution: We recommend the following steps to resolve the issue: 1. If WPML was just activated and there are no translations yet, consider resetting WPML and reconfiguring it. This can often resolve table-related issues. - Go to WPML → Support and click the Troubleshooting link. - In the Reset section, select the 'I am about to reset all translation and language data' checkbox, then click the 'Reset and deactivate WPML' button. Ensure you take a backup first. More details can be found here: WPML Reset Documentation. 2. If the issue persists, check for any custom code in the wp-config file that might be affecting WPML's functionality. Removing problematic lines of code can resolve the issue. 3. Additionally, refer to the WPML errata page for known issues related to missing database tables: Missing WPML Tables Errata.
If these solutions do not resolve the problem or if they seem outdated or irrelevant to your specific case, we highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the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 for further assistance.
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Background of the issue:
I am trying to resolve a persistent database error related to a missing table while using WPML on PHP 8.0+. I have checked the WPML → Support → Troubleshooting page but did not find an option to 'Install missing WPML tables' or recreate the wp_icl_background_task table manually. I am running PHP 7.4 and using the Avada theme. I deleted and reinstalled WPML from scratch, but the issue persists. My website is hidden link.
Symptoms:
WordPress database error: Table 'wp_icl_background_task' doesn't exist. This issue causes white screens (fatal errors) when using WPML. The error persists even after disabling all plugins.
Questions:
How can I resolve the missing table error for wp_icl_background_task?
Why is the option to recreate WPML tables missing in the troubleshooting panel?
If you have just activated WPML but have no translations yet, I suggest resetting WPML and reconfiguring it, as this should resolve the problem.
1. Go to WPML → Support and click the Troubleshooting link.
2. In the Reset section of the Troubleshooting page, select the I am about to reset all translation and language data checkbox. Then, click the Reset and deactivate WPML button.
So I did that and it deleted all the english side. In the admin i dont see the english pages anymore. How can i reccuperate these pages and associate them to the original french ones?
Thank you
I read your instructions too fast... I rebuilt the translations. But still get an error.
Basically when i update to PHP 8.0 or higher the site doesnt load I get a white page in my browser... when i roll back to 7.4 everything work. Im not sure what is happening.
Here's the bug log
[05-Aug-2025 19:29:11 UTC] WordPress database error Table 'bailapr_baila.wp_icl_background_task' doesn't exist for query SELECT * FROM wp_icl_background_task WHERE task_status IN ('1','0','2') AND 1=1 made by require_once('wp-load.php'), require_once('wp-config.php'), require_once('wp-settings.php'), do_action('wp_loaded'), WP_Hook->do_action, WP_Hook->apply_filters, WPML\LIB\WP\Hooks::WPML\LIB\WP\{closure}, WPML\FP\Promise->resolve, WPML\FP\Right->chain, WPML\FP\Right->map, WPML\BackgroundTask\BackgroundTaskLoader->WPML\BackgroundTask\{closure}, WPML\BackgroundTask\BackgroundTaskLoader->getSerializedTasks, WPML\Core\BackgroundTask\Repository\BackgroundTaskRepository->getAllRunnableTasks, WPML\Core\BackgroundTask\Repository\BackgroundTaskRepository->getAllByTaskStatus
All good... found the problem... a line of custom code in the wp-config file was the culprit... it was making wpml go nuts... delete the line and all is well. Thanks for taking the time to help me.
