Background of the issue:
I am trying to manage the WPML plugin on my Singapura.de site. WPML is registered on this site, and I have a Lifetime account that should provide updates for life. However, I am facing issues with updates and media management. Link to a page where the issue can be seen: hidden link.
Symptoms:
WordPress database error: Could not perform query because it contains invalid data. Connection failed when trying to download updates, with a message that the site key does not match for hidden link. Unable to unregister WPML from Singapura.de. All media disappeared and it's not possible to upload new media, with an error message about a problem with some tables in the database.
Questions:
Why am I unable to download updates for WPML despite having a Lifetime account?
How can I unregister WPML from Singapura.de to resolve the site key mismatch?
What is causing the media to disappear and prevent new uploads?
How can I fix the database error related to WPML?
1.- The site key doesn't match the URL of the site. In this case, you must follow these steps:
- Create a full site backup
- Unregister the site in Plugins -> Add new -> Commercial tab
- Remove the site from https://wpml.org/account/sites/
- Go back to Plugins -> Add new -> Commercial tab -> Click on the option to register the site and then click on the link that appears right below the field to enter the site key
- Generate a new site key and register the site with this new site key
- Then you should be able to update the WPML plugins in Plugins -> Add new -> Commercial tab
2.- The error in the database indicates that the emojis are not supported by the collation used in the database. Here you have two options (which are basically the same):
- Find the string in the database and remove the emojis
- Find the string on the site and remove the emojis
Once the emojis are removed and the string saved again the error from the database will disappear.
Please let me know if you need further assistance.
Regards,
Carlos
Hello Carlos,
Thank you for the reply.
I deleted all emojis, but the error is still there.
I don't konw how to save the string again.
Shall I maybe disable the "String Translation" plugin?
I just want to create a post or page and save it, then duplicate it and then translate manually the duplicated page. That's it.
WPML seem far too complicated, because I want to do nothing else.
Is it possible to change the collation of the database to enable emojis for future editings?
The un-/registration also sounds too complicated by far.
I might look into that, when I can dedicate much more time to it.
Thank you & best regards,
Rico
1.- To resolve the problem of the mismatching sitekey, you must follow the steps I described in the first point of my previous message. It is very straightforward, and you shouldn't have any difficulties.
2.- Please share the access credentials to your site in your next message, which I have set private. This will allow me to reproduce the error and try to solve it.
Confirm you created a full site backup that you can restore if necessary.
Hi Rico,
Thank you for sharing the access credentials to the site
I tried to access the database using a plugin, but it throws a fatal error not recorded in the debug.log file, so I don't have information to know where the error originates.
In this scenario, I'd recommend contacting your hosting providers and asking them to remove the emojis from the entry in the database, as well as asking them to change the collation. Unfortunately, I don't have access to your database and therefore cannot make the changes.
Hello Carlos,
can you please assist with the DB at Webgo.de?
I didn't recognize earlier, but we have HUGE trouble now, as our business page is also affected from this error: hidden link
Would be also great that WPML integates a check and in case there are emojis, it's stopps any translation or whatever instead breaking the full multisite.
Thank you & best regards,
Rico
Hello Paola,
YES, please install adminer.
Do you have the (Super-User) credentials from Carlos?
With that you will be able to access our website singapura.de as well as the multiblog network w724.com.
Thank you & best regards,
Rico
Hello Paola,
I installed and activated the plugin. It shows the DB tables.
Please take note that you also have access as super admin.
Looking forward for the fix of this bug, because also my business site is broken.
Back-up has been created.
Thank you & best regards,
Rico
Hello Paola,
it seems that either you or Webgo has fixed the issue with the database.
Can you please help with the following?
1. Change collation of database to support emojis AND to be the same for all WPML sites?
2. Reassign or at least delete the WPML key of Singapura.de (Multisite ID=19)? I tried, but can't delete it, so it's not possible to assign a new/correct key.
Thank you & best regards,
Rico
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Hi there!
It was fixed by changing icl_strings table to utf8mb4_unicode_520_ci.
You should do that for all the icl_strings table.
Regarding the key, please go to plugins, and on WPML MUltilingual CMS click on registered, then click on Unregister and you will be able to register the new key.
Hello Paola,
as I said, IT'S NOT POSSIBLE TO UNREGISTER.
I would really apreciate that you unregister the site and then I try to register with correct key. It's obviously a WPML BUG so I can't do nothing.
Thank you for fixing that!
