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

Problem:
Updating an old WPML plugin to the latest version

Solution:

1. Different versions of WPML can be downloaded from this link here, under your WPML.org account - https://wpml.org/download/wpml-multilingual-cms/?section=changelog

2. Please make sure that you first create a full website backup so that you are safe no matter what happens.

3. The oldest version you are able to download from that link is "3.8.3". After that, I recommend that you update to each new major version (3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3).

You can also try to create a full website backup first and then update to the latest version and see what happens - it there's gonna be serious errors and not simple notifications, then please update gradually.

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.

Our next available supporter will start replying to tickets in about 1.03 hours from now. Thank you for your understanding.

This topic contains 5 replies, has 2 voices.

Last updated by Mihai Apetrei 4 years, 11 months ago.

Assisted by: Mihai Apetrei.

Author Posts
November 27, 2019 at 4:18 pm #5030979

manuP

A customer wants me to figure out what's wrong with their website and it looks like they have version 2.9.3 of WPML installed and I'm suspecting some of the problems are related to it. What would be a safe way to start updating this?

Thank you,
Manu Pärssinen

PS. Installer plugin link on their WPML Support is "hidden link" which doesn't lead to anywhere...

November 27, 2019 at 8:23 pm #5032155

Mihai Apetrei
Supporter

Languages: English (English )

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

Hi Manu and thank you for contacting WPML Support!

I will be happy to help you with this.

We do not have a special procedure for such updates, we treat them as "normal" updates.

The WPML Settings shouldn't be lost because they are saved into the database, however, please make a backup before proceeding.

They should be able to update the plugins from WordPress dashboard > Plugins > Add new > Commercial, if they ever bought a license from us.

Here is more info about this:
https://wpml.org/faq/install-wpml/#automated-updates

Please let me know how that goes.

Kind regards,
Mihai Apetrei

November 28, 2019 at 8:37 am #5033843

manuP

Hello Mihai,

thanks for the quick answer. However when I tried to do this, it just gave me an error message saying the folder /public_html/wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/ already exists and canceled the installation. On the plugins page the current WPML installation looks like in the attached screengrab.

I guess I could just copy the new files there via FTP (gotta ask the client for the login info though)...

Manu

WPML.jpg
November 28, 2019 at 4:45 pm #5038319

Mihai Apetrei
Supporter

Languages: English (English )

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

Hi.

Yes, that thing is happening because WPML is already installed so you would need to first deactivate+delete it from the backend. This will also delete the "sitepress-multilingual-cms" folder on the server.

Here are some steps to do that:
hidden link

However, I don't know if your WordPress user account has those rights so you have to check that with the client of course if that's the case.

After that, you could simply get back to the plugins page and upload the new WPML version, install it and activate it.

Please let me know how that goes.

Kind regards,
Mihai

November 29, 2019 at 10:51 am #5041927

manuP

And deleting the old plug-in won't delete WPML settings then?

Thanks.
Manu

November 29, 2019 at 4:01 pm #5044785

Mihai Apetrei
Supporter

Languages: English (English )

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

Hi Manu.

Nop, it won't as the WPML settings are saved in the WordPress database.

However, please don't forget to do a full website backup first, just for safety reasons.

PS: Just a note that I won't be working on the weekend so I will be able to get back to you at the beginning of next week in case you write me tonight or this weekend.

Kind regards,
Mihai