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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 homepage disappears after activating WPML, although other pages display normally. This problem is specifically occurring with custom Elementor elements on the homepage when the WPML String Translation plugin is active.
Solution:
1. Back up the site before making any changes.
2. Create a new test page in Elementor and set it temporarily as your homepage (go to Settings → Reading → Homepage and select your new page). Check if this new homepage appears correctly with WPML activated.
3. If the test homepage works, the problem likely lies with specific content or widgets on your original homepage. Begin copying your original homepage content, section by section, into the new test page. After adding each section, check if the homepage still displays. This will help identify if a particular widget or block is causing the issue.
4. If you discover a problematic section or widget, consider rebuilding that part using only standard Elementor elements, as custom or third-party widgets may cause compatibility issues with WPML.
5. Once you have a working homepage, set this new page as your official homepage under Settings → Reading.
6. Reactivate all other plugins one by one to confirm there’s no additional conflict.

If these steps do not resolve the issue or if the solution seems outdated, we highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have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 the problem persists, please open a new support ticket at WPML support forum for further assistance.

This is the technical support forum for WPML - the multilingual WordPress plugin.

Everyone can read, but only WPML clients can post here. WPML team is replying on the forum 6 days per week, 22 hours per day.

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This topic contains 37 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Carlos Rojas 7 months ago.

Assisted by: Carlos Rojas.

Author Posts
September 23, 2025 at 12:16 pm #17425055

jean-marcW

Yes, thanks ! If this plugin is the issue, then we could just replace it by another plugin that work with WPML ? Thanks

September 23, 2025 at 12:24 pm #17425064

Carlos Rojas
WPML Supporter since 03/2017

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

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

Hi,

String Translation is a WPML plugin, it cannot be replaced. That is the reason why I'm asking your authorization to create a copy of the site.

September 23, 2025 at 12:29 pm #17425111

jean-marcW

Go ahead with the copy, good for me. Thanks

September 23, 2025 at 1:13 pm #17425590

Carlos Rojas
WPML Supporter since 03/2017

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

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

Thank you for your authorization.

I have escalated this ticket to our 2nd tier already. I will get back to you as soon as I get more information.

Thank you very much for your patience and understanding!

September 25, 2025 at 12:38 pm #17432446

Carlos Rojas
WPML Supporter since 03/2017

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

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

Hi there,

Please apply this workaround:
- Create a full site backup
- Paste this code in the functions.php file:

ini_set('pcre.backtrack_limit', 2000000);
ini_set('pcre.recursion_limit', 200000);

- Double-check if the issue disappeared

September 30, 2025 at 9:43 am #17443543

jean-marcW

hi, any news ?

September 30, 2025 at 9:44 am #17443545

jean-marcW

oh sorry, did not see your reply. I'll try to see that with our IT and i'll get back to you. Thanks

September 30, 2025 at 12:38 pm #17444361

Carlos Rojas
WPML Supporter since 03/2017

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

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

Great. We will be waiting for your message

October 6, 2025 at 2:09 pm #17461101

jean-marcW

Hello Carlos,
Still waiting for my IT to do something.
Is there any chance that it could work by deleting and re-installing WPML ?
I don't mind doing the translations again.
Thanks

October 7, 2025 at 8:57 am #17462699

Carlos Rojas
WPML Supporter since 03/2017

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

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

Hi,

I don't think this will solve the issue, because the problem is related to a PHP configuration. As a test, you can ask your hosting providers to upgrade the PHP version to v8.1 or v8.2 and check again.

October 7, 2025 at 10:01 am #17462990

jean-marcW

Hi,
We already tried updating to 8.2 but didn't solve the problem.
Ans since it broke another of our websites, we had to go back to the old version.
I'm waiting for the IT to add the 2 lines of code to the PHP ; i'll com back to you as soon as its done. Please please don't close the ticket.
Thanks

October 7, 2025 at 12:06 pm #17463642

Carlos Rojas
WPML Supporter since 03/2017

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

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

Thank you for your message.

I will be waiting for your feedback.

October 9, 2025 at 9:26 am #17469987

jean-marcW

Well, IT will be adding the code soon.
But, in the meantime, the "string" plugin is activated and now the page seems to work.
The only problem I see : pages in english/italian, do not take in account the changes that were applied on the french page by "Modifying on elementor".
Is that normal ?
Thanks

October 9, 2025 at 11:45 am #17471047

Carlos Rojas
WPML Supporter since 03/2017

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

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

Hi,

I’m not entirely sure I understand your issue yet. If you’re referring to making changes to a page using Elementor in the original language and those changes aren’t showing up in the translated versions, then you’ll need to update the translations to reflect those changes.

However, if you meant something else, could you please provide a bit more detail? That will help us better understand the situation and assist you more effectively.

Looking forward to your reply!

October 9, 2025 at 12:27 pm #17471267

jean-marcW

Hi,
Almost that.
It's not about the content but about the design.
Some changes were made in the design, and those are not being applied in the foreign languages pages.
I can give you access if you wish.
Thanks