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[Resolved] Product category images are missing in translation

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

Problem:
The client was experiencing an issue where the images for product categories were not appearing in the translated versions and were instead showing a WooCommerce placeholder image after using automatic translation.

Solution:
First, we recommended that the client update all outdated plugins and themes to ensure that all functionalities are up-to-date. If the issue persisted, we identified that the custom field for the category thumbnail and the media settings were not set up correctly. To fix this, we:
1. Went to WPML -> Settings -> Custom Term Meta Translation and set the 

'thumbnail_id'

to 

'Copy'

, then saved the changes.
2. Re-saved the permalinks at Settings -> Permalinks.
3. Ran the troubleshooting steps available in the WPML troubleshooting page.
4. Edited and saved a product category to update the translation.

We also suggested a workaround that involved creating a test product, adding all categories to it, translating the product, and checking if the categories were updated.

Please note that this solution might be irrelevant if it's outdated or not applicable to your case. If the issue persists, 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 you still need assistance, please open a new support ticket at our 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 14 replies, has 2 voices.

Last updated by Carlos Rojas 2 years, 9 months ago.

Assisted by: Carlos Rojas.

Author Posts
April 19, 2022 at 11:00 am #11044615

marjoleins

I used automatic translation for my product categories. In the translation the category image is a Woocommerce placeholder instead of the images used in the original language. I found this support item: https://wpml.org/forums/topic/my-translated-woocommerce-categories-are-missing-thumbnail-images/ but I don't have a troubleshooting tab? Can you please let me know how I can synchronize my product category images?

Productcategorieën-‹-Bentofan-—-WordPress.png
April 19, 2022 at 11:47 am #11045037

Carlos Rojas
Supporter

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+01:00)

Hello,
Thank you for contacting us.

Please provide the debug information of the site in the section that appears below this ticket.

In this link, you will find the steps to follow: https://wpml.org/faq/provide-debug-information-faster-support/

Please don't paste the debug information within the ticket

Regards,
Carlos
April 19, 2022 at 11:54 am #11045125

marjoleins

As you requested...
April 19, 2022 at 12:14 pm #11045311

Carlos Rojas
Supporter

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+01:00)

Hi there,
Thank you for sharing the debug information.

I would like to request temporary access (wp-admin and FTP) to your site to take a better look at the issue. You will find the needed fields for this below the comment area when you log in to leave your next reply. The information you will enter is private which means only you and I can see and have access to it.

Our Debugging Procedures

I will be checking various settings in the backend to see if the issue can be resolved. Although I won't be making changes that affect the live site, it is still good practice to back-up the site before providing us access. In the event that we do need to debug the site further, I will duplicate the site and work in a separate, local development environment to avoid affecting the live site.

Regards,
Carlos
April 20, 2022 at 11:06 am #11054613

Carlos Rojas
Supporter

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+01:00)

Hi there,
Thank you very much for sharing the access credentials.

Before we continue, I need to ask you to update all outdated plugins and themes that appear in this link: hidden link

Once all functionalities are up-to-date, double-check if the issue disappeared.

Regards,
Carlos
April 20, 2022 at 11:36 am #11055057

marjoleins

I updates all plugins and themes and the issue is still there. Can you please check what is happening?
April 20, 2022 at 12:03 pm #11055373

Carlos Rojas
Supporter

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+01:00)

Hi there,

I ran some troubleshooting steps and then updated the translation of this category: hidden link

Now I can see the thumbnail on the English category. Please update the translated product categories and confirm that the issue is solved.

Regards,
Carlos
April 20, 2022 at 12:21 pm #11055491

marjoleins

Hi Carlos,
Thanks for your reply, but this doesn't solve my issue. As I wrote in my earlier message the image reappears after saving a translated category. But we don't want to save all 160 categories one by one! You should expect that after automatic translation the category images are present in the translated category!

Regards,
Marjolein
April 20, 2022 at 1:03 pm #11055683

Carlos Rojas
Supporter

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+01:00)

Hi Marjolein,

I understand your concern, however, the custom field for the category thumbnail wasn't setup correctly and the media settings neither, that is the reason why the translated categories didn't get the image. So, the only way to add them the images is by updating the translation of all product categories.

A workaround to solve this might be to create a test product -> Add all the categories -> Translate the product and check if the categories were updated.

Regards,
Carlos
April 20, 2022 at 1:10 pm #11055789

marjoleins

Do you mean that our settings are not correct in WPML? Please let me know if I'm using incorrect settings.
I already used your workaround to translate all the categories. And the result was that we don't see the images....
April 20, 2022 at 1:16 pm #11055835

Carlos Rojas
Supporter

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+01:00)

Hi there,

The settings for the category's thumbnails were incorrect and I fixed them. Now the settings for this custom field are correct.

Regards,
Carlos
April 20, 2022 at 1:26 pm #11055875

marjoleins

Can you please let me know if you made changes to the settings because this is our staging website. I need to change this too in our online website
April 20, 2022 at 2:07 pm #11056487

Carlos Rojas
Supporter

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+01:00)

Hi there,

Yes, I followed these steps:
- WPML -> Settings -> Custom Term Meta Translation -> Set the 'thumbnail_id
' to 'Copy' -> Saved the changes
- Re-saved the permalinks in this link: hidden link
- Ran the troubleshooting steps in hidden link
- Edited the product category 'Nieuw binnen' -> Click on 'Save' -> Updated the translation

Regards,
Carlos
April 20, 2022 at 2:24 pm #11056563

Carlos Rojas
Supporter

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+01:00)

Hi there,

I'm glad to hear that the issue is solved 🙂

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need our help in the future with WPML. We will be more than happy to help.
Best regards,
Carlos