This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.
Problem: The client transferred a website to a new server and needs to update the WPML key for the new domain, concerned about whether translations will be lost after changing the key. Solution: We advised the client that translations are stored in the website's database, so updating the WPML key will not affect the existing translations. To update the key, the client should: 1. Log in to their WPML account. 2. Navigate to the Sites page. 3. Remove the old site/domain. 4. Add the new site and generate a new key. 5. Enter the new key in the WordPress backend under Plugins > Add New > Commercial. Additionally, if the site was duplicated or moved, it's important to inform WPML by setting the site status appropriately as either a copy or a change of address. For more detailed guidance on using WPML after moving a site, visit this documentation page.
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Background of the issue:
I recently transferred a website from my server to the customer's server with a WPML key registered for the test version. The WPML plugin stopped working, and I need to replace the WPML key with a new one registered for the client's domain name. It's impossible to change the domain name after the website received the 'Published' status.
Symptoms:
The WPML plugin stopped working after transferring the website.
Questions:
What will happen after replacing the WPML key? Will all the translations be gone and need to be redone from scratch?
Is there any way to update the domain name for the existing key without losing translations?
Before this ticket gets assigned to one of my colleagues, I will try to help.
For a new/separate WordPress setup and different domain, you will always need to go here (https://wpml.org/account/sites) and generate a new site key for that new domain. While in the process of creating the key, you can also set the key as "Production" or "Development."
Here is a small tutorial on how to use Duplicator: hidden link
This plugin should also easily take care of the URL-replacing process.
After migration, register WPML in your new site and enter the new key:
Please Login to your WPML account >> go to the "Sites" page (https://wpml.org/account/sites/) >> Remove your old site/domain from there >> and add your new site >> it will give you a new key which you can add back in your site in Plugins > Add new > Commercial.
You might want to take a look at this page, too, as it contains essential information that you might need when WPML sees that the current site has been copied over a different domain. You must set that new site to "this is a copy of the main site" or, if it was migrated from a staging site to a live site, then you have to set it up as: "I changed the address of the site to this new one".
Translations are saved into the database, so you shouldn't lose them.
I hope that you will find this information helpful.
Hi Mihai,
Thank you for the quick reply! Actually, everything is already done, and the website is already running on the customer's server. I got this issue a couple of weeks later after the transfer.
It's clear that I can't use the old key for this website. The question is: What will happen if I'll replace the old key with a new one? Will be the translation for all the pages (about 40) gone or everything will be left as before and working correctly?
I'm not sure, if the translations are hosted on the customer's server or on WPML servers. That's why I am reluctant to simply replace the key with a newly created one because losing all the translations would be fatal for my client.
Thanks a lot, Mihai, for your help!
Much appreciated! 🙂
– Alex
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