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[Resolved] Problem with WPML plug in

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

Problem:
The client was unable to manually translate pages using WPML, encountering a permission error that prevented access to the 'Pages' section.
Solution:
We recommended the following troubleshooting steps:
1. Ensure the website is backed up.
2. Test the issue on a minimal installation or a staging site to avoid affecting the live site. This involves:
- Switching to a default theme like 'TwentyTwenty'.
- Deactivating all plugins except WPML and its add-ons.
- Checking if the issue persists. If not, reactivate plugins one by one to identify the problematic plugin.
3. Enable WordPress debug mode by adding the following code to the 'wp-config.php' file:

define('WP_DEBUG', true);<br />define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);<br />define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', true);

Place this code above the line: /* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */
For more information on debugging WPML, visit https://wpml.org/documentation/support/debugging-wpml/
If these steps do not resolve the issue or if the solution seems outdated or irrelevant to your specific case, we highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the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 problem persists, please open a new support ticket at WPML support forum.

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.

Tagged: 

This topic contains 13 replies, has 1 voice.

Last updated by Carlos Rojas 3 weeks, 6 days ago.

Assisted by: Carlos Rojas.

Author Posts
June 8, 2025 at 9:19 pm #17116686

lauraK-16

Background of the issue:
I am trying to work with WPML to translate all the pages manually, but I am encountering issues. The problem can be seen on this page: hidden link.
See this video: hidden link

Symptoms:
WPML is not allowing me to open the 'Pages' and translate them manually. It keeps saying that I don't have permission to open them.

Questions:
Why am I unable to open and translate pages manually with WPML?
How can I resolve the permission issue with WPML?
June 9, 2025 at 8:11 am #17117336

Christopher Amirian
WPML Supporter since 07/2020

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: Asia/Yerevan (GMT+04:00)

Hi,

Welcome to WPML support. I will answer this question before the ticket is assigned to one of my colleagues.

Would you please test if the same thing happens on a minimal installation?

- IMPORTANT STEP! Create a backup of your website. Or better approach will be to test this on a copy/staging version of the website to avoid any disruption of a live website.
- Switch to the default theme such as "TwentyTwenty" by going to "WordPress Dashboard > Appearance > themes".
- Go to "WordPress Dashboard > Plugins" and deactivate all plugins except WPML and its add-ons.
- Check if you can still recreate the issue.
- If not, re-activate your plugins one by one and check the issue each time to find out the plugin that causes the problem.

Also please enable WordPress debug mode so you can see the error under the hood and share with us:

Would you please access your website files and edit the "wp-config.php" file on the root folder of your WordPress installation and add the code below into the file:

define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', true );

Please add the code above the line below:

/* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */

For more information:
https://wpml.org/documentation/support/debugging-wpml/

Thanks.
June 9, 2025 at 8:28 am #17117425

lauraK-16

Can I give you my credentials so you can see it because I am not very familiar and I am afraid I will do smth wrong and destroy the website?
June 9, 2025 at 8:39 am #17117485

Carlos Rojas
WPML Supporter since 03/2017

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

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

Hello again,
My name is Carlos, and I will continue working on this ticket

Please share the access credentials to the site in your next message, which I have set private.

Confirm you created a full site backup that you can restore if necessary.

Looking forward to your message.
June 9, 2025 at 8:52 am #17117633

Carlos Rojas
WPML Supporter since 03/2017

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

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

Hi,
Thank you for sharing the credentials requested.

Unfortunately, I can't create a backup for you. To create a backup of the site, you can use one of these plugins:
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/all-in-one-wp-migration/
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/duplicator/

Both plugins are easy to use and will allow you to have a backup of the site.

As an alternative, you can contact your hosting providers and ask them to create a backup for you.

Please let me know when the backup is done so we can continue.
June 9, 2025 at 11:53 am #17118283

lauraK-16

I just did the back up. You can proceed and please if it is not necessary to not touch the website. 🙂
June 9, 2025 at 12:08 pm #17118346

Carlos Rojas
WPML Supporter since 03/2017

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

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

Hi,

I will need to run some troubleshooting steps and check the site configuration, which is the reason why I asked to create a full site backup.

If you create a staging site (you can use WP Staging plugin for free) and share the credentials, I can run all the tests necessary without affecting the production site.

I have set your next message private so you can share the access credentials to the staging site securely 🙂
June 9, 2025 at 1:55 pm #17118702

lauraK-16

I have used the Updraft Backup plug in. Is this okay?
June 9, 2025 at 4:57 pm #17119156

lauraK-16

Is everything okay?
June 10, 2025 at 6:50 am #17120320

Carlos Rojas
WPML Supporter since 03/2017

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

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

Hi there,

Yes, Updraft Backup plugin is also good.

The issue disappeared after flushing the cache memory, and the URL you were taken to was the one to set up the Woocommerce Multilingual & Multicurrency plugin. I recommend activating the Woocommerce Multilingual & Multicurrency plugin and finishing the installation according to our documentation: https://wpml.org/documentation/related-projects/woocommerce-multilingual/
June 10, 2025 at 7:42 am #17120548

lauraK-16

But I dont want anything with the woocommerce because this is not an online store is a spa center website, which is just an presentative website. Do I really need to do this?
June 10, 2025 at 7:47 am #17120588

Carlos Rojas
WPML Supporter since 03/2017

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

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

If you are not going to have an online store, then you don't need WooCommerce or WooCommerce Multilingual & Multicurrency plugins.
June 10, 2025 at 7:55 am #17120626
lauraK-16

I still have a problem because I did the WordPress Editor translate, overwrite and then translate independently and the English version is not in the same design as the Albanian one. Can you please help me?

New threads created by Carlos Rojas and linked to this one are listed below:

https://wpml.org/forums/topic/split-problem-with-wpml-plug-in/

albanian version-min.png
english version-min.png
June 10, 2025 at 8:10 am #17120690

Carlos Rojas
WPML Supporter since 03/2017

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

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

Hi,

As the original issue is solved I have splited this ticket so we can continue independently in https://wpml.org/forums/topic/split-problem-with-wpml-plug-in/
That way, we will be following our support policy of solving one issue per ticket.

Please set this ticket as resolved and let's continue in the split one 🙂