not allow me to add custom language

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

Problem:
The client is unable to add a custom language to their WordPress site using the WPML plugin. They are looking for a way to enable custom languages manually.
Solution:
We recommend manually adding the languages to the database. Here are the steps to follow:

INSERT INTO `wp_icl_languages` (`code`, `english_name`, `major`, `active`,  `default_locale`, `tag`, `encode_url`, `country`) VALUES ('es-pe2', 'English Name', '1', '0', 'es_PE', 'es-pe2', '0', NULL);

INSERT INTO `wp_icl_languages_translations` (`language_code`,  `display_language_code`, `name`) VALUES ('es-pe2', 'en', 'English name'), ('es-pe2', 'es-pe2', 'English name');

INSERT INTO `wp_icl_locale_map` (`code`, `locale`) VALUES ('es-pe2', 'es_pe');

INSERT INTO `wp_icl_flags` (`lang_code`, `flag`, `from_template`) VALUES ('es-pe2', 'es-pe2.png', '0');

Please replace 'es-pe2', 'es_PE', 'es_pe', and 'English Name' with your desired language code, locale, and language title. Ensure you have a backup before proceeding as this is a delicate process.
If this solution does not resolve your issue or seems outdated, we highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have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 further assistance is needed, please open a new support ticket at WPML support forum.

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Tagged: Bug

This topic contains 36 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Lucas Vidal de Andrade 4 months, 3 weeks ago.

Assisted by: Lucas Vidal de Andrade.

Author	Posts
November 24, 2025 at 12:41 pm #17604858
florianF-18	And we need to solve this problem of language mapping because we want automatic translation.
November 24, 2025 at 1:17 pm #17604998
florianF-18	also adding on what the developer just sent you I spoke to the hoster and the confirmed there is server side caching but only if the litespeed plugin is activated. If its disabled there is no server side caching. He asked if you can provide any error message that he can look into. I just check both sites (staging + live site) both dont have it enabled currently. Even though we need to have it enabled in the future as its our optimization plugin. Thanks for your help!
November 24, 2025 at 2:20 pm #17605215
Lucas Vidal de Andrade WPML Supporter since 11/2023 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Portuguese (Brazil) (Português ) Timezone: Europe/Vienna (GMT+02:00)	Thank you for sharing. P.S.: please do not share access credentials directly as messages, since this Forum might become public in the future. I've tried accessing your live website, but none of the credentials I have work. Can you please share access to it again? Please use the proper form and don't send it as messages. This way, I can manually create the languages. If I can't, I'll tell you how you can do it yourself.
November 25, 2025 at 8:11 am #17606821
Lucas Vidal de Andrade WPML Supporter since 11/2023 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Portuguese (Brazil) (Português ) Timezone: Europe/Vienna (GMT+02:00)	Unfortunately, again you shared your credentials publicly on your last message. Please change or delete this user, as the access to your website has been made public at least 2 times on this ticket, and your website might be compromised. I'm looking into the website and will get back shortly about the issue.
November 25, 2025 at 11:09 am #17607570
florianF-18	how can i enter private data? i dont have the option right now. Its really confusing your ticket system. Also I just received another critical error via email. Can we get this fixed now? i am waiting for weeks now. If we dont get this moving i want to request a refund and we switch to translatepress. Thank you for your understanding!
November 25, 2025 at 1:56 pm #17608356
Lucas Vidal de Andrade WPML Supporter since 11/2023 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Portuguese (Brazil) (Português ) Timezone: Europe/Vienna (GMT+02:00)	I've enabled the fields, let me know if it worked this time. I understand your frustration. I'm pushing on second tier as hard as I can, but I haven't received a working-workaround from them. The steps they gave me to add the languages via DB didn't work, and now I'm currently waiting for their feedback. I'll update you ASAP. Regarding the fatal error, I've created a new ticket for it. This way, we can keep things organized and work the issues in parallel. I'll answer you there: https://wpml.org/forums/topic/split-fatal-error-3/ Thank you for your patience.
November 27, 2025 at 12:08 pm #17614787
Lucas Vidal de Andrade WPML Supporter since 11/2023 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Portuguese (Brazil) (Português ) Timezone: Europe/Vienna (GMT+02:00)	Hello there, Here are the instructions to manually add the languages to the DB: hidden link Here's the command I ran: INSERT INTO `wp_icl_languages` (`code`, `english_name`, `major`, `active`, `default_locale`, `tag`, `encode_url`, `country`) VALUES ('es-pe2', 'English Name', '1', '0', 'es_PE', 'es-pe2', '0', NULL); INSERT INTO `wp_icl_languages_translations` (`language_code`, `display_language_code`, `name`) VALUES ('es-pe2', 'en', 'English name'), ('es-pe2', 'es-pe2', 'English name'); INSERT INTO `wp_icl_locale_map` (`code`, `locale`) VALUES ('es-pe2', 'es_pe'); INSERT INTO `wp_icl_flags` (`lang_code`, `flag`, `from_template`) VALUES ('es-pe2', 'es-pe2.png', '0'); You can substitute the language code "es-pe2", the default locale "es_PE" and "es_pe", and the "English name", which is the title of the language. Please ensure to have a backup before proceeding, as this is a delicate process. Let me know if you have any questions. I'm still checking for a permanent solution with 2nd tier. Thank you for your patience.
November 28, 2025 at 4:32 am #17617098
florianF-18	This is my PHP My Admin folder. You didn't show in the video which folder I should put the code inside.There are many databases here. Do I have to select the database for the website I am working on?
November 28, 2025 at 4:49 am #17617116
florianF-18	And should I place the code you gave in the SQL folder?
November 28, 2025 at 10:57 am #17617817
Lucas Vidal de Andrade WPML Supporter since 11/2023 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Portuguese (Brazil) (Português ) Timezone: Europe/Vienna (GMT+02:00)	Hey there, I apologize, I was not aware of your DB structure. You need to run the command inside the brokercheck.co's DB. One easier way to follow the steps, is that you use the WP Adminer plugin, which is the one I used. Install it on your website, and it should look a lot more like the video, and will be easier to follow the steps. It's accessible from the Tools tab, once active. I'm not sure where this can be run from the PhpMyAdmin interface. You can reach out to your hosting support as well, they can indicate the best way to apply the solution on your server. Let me know if you still have any questions.
November 28, 2025 at 2:20 pm #17618366
florianF-18	I need to run the command inside the brokercheck.co's DB also I know PhpMyAdmin interface but But there is a specific folder or file in which I can place the custom codes you gave me.I need to know the name of that folder or file.Can you tell me this? I am able to find the database of my desired website but after selecting the database I need to confirm in which folder or file I will write the codes you have given. It needs to be written for WPML so can my hosting providers also tell me in which folder I have to write the codes?
November 30, 2025 at 3:28 pm #17620605
florianF-18	Can you solve this problem if I provide you hosting access or an FTP account for the main website?
December 1, 2025 at 7:13 am #17621396
Lucas Vidal de Andrade WPML Supporter since 11/2023 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Portuguese (Brazil) (Português ) Timezone: Europe/Vienna (GMT+02:00)	Hey there, Honestly, I don't totally understand the questions about the folder. The commands need to be run for specific tables, which are specified in the command itself already. Just run the command on the DB (of course it's necessary to adjust the prefix). I can do that for you, sure. The fields are enabled for you to share access privately.
December 1, 2025 at 3:32 pm #17623179
Lucas Vidal de Andrade WPML Supporter since 11/2023 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Portuguese (Brazil) (Português ) Timezone: Europe/Vienna (GMT+02:00)	Hello there, I was able to access. Thank you. Just one last thing: what's the DB's name of the website you want to add the languages to? If you don't know it, please send me access to the website, again. Fields are enabled.
December 1, 2025 at 4:17 pm #17623357
florianF-18	Send me a private message form to send login details.