[Resolved] No WPML menu loads in WordPress sidebar
This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.
Problem: The client was unable to see the WPML menu in the WordPress admin sidebar after installing and activating WPML plugins on a WordPress multisite staging environment. This issue persisted despite the client's attempts to reinstall and clear caches. Solution: 1. We recommended adding a code snippet to reset WPML capabilities in the theme's functions.php file:
function wpmlsupp_1706_reset_wpml_capabilities() {
if (function_exists('icl_enable_capabilities')) {
icl_enable_capabilities();
}
}
add_action('shutdown', 'wpmlsupp_1706_reset_wpml_capabilities');
After adding this snippet, the client needed to visit the front page and then remove the snippet. 2. We identified that the WPML plugin was not enabled at the network level for the multisite installation. We provided instructions to activate it for each subsite separately through the network admin panel. 3. For the issue of the admin interface language, we guided the client to set their user profile to English to keep the backend in English while using German and French for the site content.
If this solution does not resolve your issue, or if it seems outdated or irrelevant to your case, please check the related known issues and confirm that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. We highly recommend opening a new support ticket for further assistance. You can do so here: WPML support forum.
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<b>Background of the issue: </b>
I am trying to access WPML tools after installation and activation. The issue can be seen at hidden link. I expected to see the WPML menu visible on the WordPress admin sidebar after I install and activate the WPML plugins.
I know you're going to ask for debug info... THAT is the problem. I cannot see the WPML menu in the WordPress admin. I cannot give you debugging info because the problem is NO WPML menu is visible after I have installed and activated the WPML plugins. THAT is the problem I need help with guys. Please help me!
<b>Symptoms: </b>
NOTHING. After installing and activating WPML Multilingual CMS, WPML String Translation, WPML SEO, and WPML CMS Navigation, it is as if nothing was installed. The usual WPML link that appears in the WordPress sidebar is not there. I have no way to configure anything for translations.
<b>Questions: </b>
Why is the WPML menu not appearing in the WordPress admin sidebar after installation and activation?
How can I access and configure WPML tools if the menu is not visible?
I know you're going to ask for debug info... THAT is the problem. I cannot see the WPML menu in the WordPress admin. I cannot give you debugging info because the problem is NO WPML menu is visible after I have installed and activated the WPML plugins. THAT is the problem I have a massive deadline. I really need help with this... please help me!
Thanks for the instructions. I tried what you recommended, but still the same issue. Let me give you some additional context that might be helpful.
We had installed WPML a couple of years ago in the production site. It is built on a WordPress multisite installation with several localized sites. We only installed it in one of those local sites.
These are temporary exhibitions (6-9 months) and after it closed and moved to another city, we didn't need WPML anymore, so when it came time to renew, we didn't. I am not sure who in the team removed the plugin for the previous installation, but maybe they didn't do it properly?
Recently I purchased WPML again, for our Harry Potter experience website. Installed it and it is working as a charm (as it always does)
Now we need it again for this Jurassic World site (the same one we had WPML installed a couple of years ago). When we installed it last time it was in Production. This time I installed it in Staging because it was for a new market that needed a new local site built. When I first installed it using your OTGS installer, it kept telling me that my license had expired, even though WPML had been removed a couple of years prior, and I had already registered the new staging site in the WPML site admin panel.
Anyways, I don't know if there is something somewhere in the DB that is causing this issue. I have installed and tried several times. I have cleared caches at all levels in the servers, and on the front end.
This is super important and I am at an impass. I really need to get WPML up and running today. Please help.
What are your results if you create a new admin user and login with the new admin account?
I would like to request temporary access (wp-admin and FTP) to your site to test the issue.
(preferably to a test site where the problem has been replicated if possible)
**Before we proceed It is necessary to take FULL BACKUP of your database and your website. Providing us with access, you agree that a backup has been taken **
I often use the Duplicator plugin for this purpose: http://wordpress.org/plugins/duplicator/
You will find the needed fields for this below the comment area when you log in to leave your next reply.
The information you enter is private which means only you and I have access to it.
NOTE: If access to the live site is not possible and the staging site does not exist please provide me with a duplicator package created with the duplicator plugin.
I created a full backup of the staging environment yesterday as requested.
I created a new user and granted it super-admin privileges.
I tried reinstalling WPML again as the new user. Everything installs fine, but still, no WPML menu is visible.
You can log in as the new super-admin and do your thing. Let me know if you need anything else from me.
Any luck finding out what the issue is? I REALLY need to find a way to solve this installation issue. I have a zillion people banging at my door about getting translations enabled and published.
Is there anything else I can do to help you in the process?
Sorry for the delayed response. YES! It worked 🙂 Thank you for the support!
I do have one more problem that I did not expect. The site is in German and French because we ae opening in Basel, Switzerland. The problem is that I do not speak either one of those languages.
When I tell WPML that the primary language is German, and that I need French as the secondary to set up my translations, it also turns the WordPress CMS to German and I cannot do ANY of the setup.
I need the WordPress admin to still be in English, and I ONLY need German and French as the two languages on the site. Is there a way to have German as the base language of the content on the site, and then add French to the translations, but for me to still have the WordPress CMS in English?
I have never encountered this issue with WPML because English was always one of the languages. Help please? 🙂
