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

Problem:
If you're experiencing an error when updating WPML plugins with the message 'PCLZIP_ERR_BAD_FORMAT (-10) : Unable to find End of Central Dir Record signature', this indicates a possible issue with server resources or a corrupted zip file.
Solution:
First, we recommend searching for existing solutions by using a custom Google search URL: WPML support forum search for PCLZIP_ERR_BAD_FORMAT.
If you don't find a solution, it's possible that your server is reaching its resource limits during the update process, or there is a firewall blocking our API. In this case, we may need to request temporary access to your site to investigate further. Before providing access, please ensure you back up your site. For more information on our privacy and security policies, please visit: WPML Privacy and Security Policy.
If the issue persists and you're unable to resolve it with the provided resources, we suggest opening a new support ticket. We also highly recommend checking related known issues at WPML Known Issues, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins.

If the solution provided here is not relevant to your case, either because it's outdated or not applicable, please do not hesitate to open a new support ticket for further assistance. You can reach our support forum here: 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.

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This topic contains 5 replies, has 2 voices.

Last updated by Mihai Apetrei 1 year, 1 month ago.

Assisted by: Mihai Apetrei.

Author Posts
April 10, 2024 at 4:04 pm #15505738

helderL-2
Site owner

Hello,

I can't update the WPML plugins, because is giving us error:

Update failed: The package could not be installed. PCLZIP_ERR_BAD_FORMAT (-10) : Unable to find End of Central Dir Record signature

Please let us know how to solve this.

Thanks
Best Regards
Helder

April 10, 2024 at 4:20 pm #15505758

Mihai Apetrei
WPML Supporter since 03/2018

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: Europe/Bucharest (GMT+03:00)

Hi there, Helder.

I created a custom search URL for you so that you can quickly find the existing support tickets that are based on the same topics and that already contain solutions shared by my colleagues:
hidden link

This way, you might find the solution faster and we might spend less time on this ticket.

Please take a look over the first results and let me know if you managed to get this resolved by following the steps shared by my colleagues.

I will be waiting for your response.

Mihai Apetrei

April 10, 2024 at 4:39 pm #15505918

helderL-2
Site owner

Dear Sir,

Before creating the ticket, I made an extensive search regarding this issue!! Please note I'm working with WPML already for few years and I know how things works.

I dont know where I can find the solution in Google for this problem, because sincerely after checking several posts I didn't find any solution... can you check and let me know if you find it?

I need to know how to solve this issue.

Thanks
Regards
Helder

April 10, 2024 at 7:03 pm #15506302

Mihai Apetrei
WPML Supporter since 03/2018

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: Europe/Bucharest (GMT+03:00)

Thank you for the update.

I am happy to hear that you were able to take the time to investigate a bit on this matter before opening the ticket. This happens pretty rarely in support tickets so that is great news! 🙂

I checked on a deeper level and it seems that this issue was usually happening because the site was either using a firewall blocking our API or when something happened that made our system block the IP.

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 backup 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.

Privacy and Security Policy

We have strict policies regarding privacy and access to your information. Please see:
https://wpml.org/purchase/support-policy/privacy-and-security-when-providing-debug-information-for-support/

**IMPORTANT**

- Please make a backup of the site files and database before providing us access.

- If you do not see the wp-admin/FTP fields this means your post & website login details will be made PUBLIC. DO NOT post your website details unless you see the required wp-admin/FTP fields. If you do not, please ask me to enable the private box.

The private box looks like this: hidden link

I will be waiting for your response.

Mihai

April 11, 2024 at 10:02 am #15508272

Mihai Apetrei
WPML Supporter since 03/2018

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: Europe/Bucharest (GMT+03:00)

Hi and thank you for the credentials.

I can confirm that I was able to log in successfully.

I am spending more time on this and I will get back to you as soon as I have more feedback.

I will leave the ticket assigned to myself for the moment.

Kind regards,
Mihai

April 13, 2024 at 10:34 pm #15515236

Mihai Apetrei
WPML Supporter since 03/2018

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: Europe/Bucharest (GMT+03:00)

Hi Helder.

Thank you so much for your patience.

The WPML plugins are now all up to date so everything is good on the site.

But I have a strong guess that this issue might happen due to the server resources limit being reached while the update procedure.

I did not afford to make a change/test like this on your site but I'm curious about what would happen if you would try to update one of the other existing plugins that have an available update from here:
hidden link

Because the same thing might happen. This type of issue usually happens if the server resources limit is being reached or if a zip file is corrupted in some way.

Maybe you have the chance to try this at some point but it is not something urgent.

Have an amazing rest of the weekend.

April 18, 2024 at 3:20 pm #15539985

helderL-2
Site owner

Hello Mihai,

I have tested with others plugin as well and it worked fine.

Don't know why happens only with WPML plugins.

Thanks for the help.

Best Regards
Helder