[Resolved] WPML Language Assignment Issue with WooCommerce Categories
This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.
Problem: The client is experiencing issues with language assignments on their WordPress site using WPML and WooCommerce. Initially, all content was created in English, but after adding Greek and mistakenly setting it as the default language, WPML assigned all existing content, including WooCommerce product categories, as Greek. Changing the default language back to English did not resolve the issue, as many product categories are still assigned to Greek. Solution: We recommend resetting WPML and reconfiguring it with the correct language settings if the client has no translations yet or only a few that can be redone. Here are the steps: 1. Go to WPML → Support and click the Troubleshooting link. 2. In the Reset section of the Troubleshooting page, select the 'I am about to reset all translation and language data' checkbox. Then, click the 'Reset and deactivate WPML' button. Documentation on doing a WPML reset Please ensure to back up your database before making any changes.
If this solution does not apply to your case, or if it seems outdated, we highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have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 issues persist, please open a new support ticket.
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I’m experiencing an issue with language assignments on my WordPress site using WPML and WooCommerce, and I’d appreciate your guidance.
Here’s what happened:
Initially, my website content (products, categories, pages) was created in English. After installing WPML, I added two languages: English and Greek, and I mistakenly set Greek as the default language.
As a result, WPML automatically assigned all existing content—including WooCommerce product categories—as Greek, even though the content itself is written in English.
To correct this, I changed the default language back to English. However, the issue persists:
Many product categories are still assigned to Greek
The category names themselves are in English, but WPML treats them as Greek
Running troubleshooting tools has not fully resolved the problem
At this point, I’m unsure of the safest way to proceed without breaking existing data or translations.
Could you please advise on:
How to properly reassign existing categories from Greek to English
Whether it’s better to fix language assignments or recreate/synchronize categories
The recommended steps to ensure WooCommerce categories and products are correctly aligned with the default language
If needed, I can provide screenshots or temporary access for further investigation.
If you have no translations yet, or only a few that you can afford to redo, the easiest way is to reset WPML and reconfigure it by choosing the correct languages for the content.
Here is an outline of the steps:
1. Go to WPML → Support and click the Troubleshooting link.
2. In the Reset section of the Troubleshooting page, select the I am about to reset all translation and language data checkbox. Then, click the Reset and deactivate WPML button.
But the thing is that all my content is assigned under Greek language. Right now i have switched the default to be the English, but all content is still under Greek.
Should I change back the default to be the Greek before the RESET?
Is it possible that reset will delete my existing data? Products, Product categories, Media, pages, etc, cause as I said, everything is now assigned as Greek.
Is there a way to totaly wipe out WPML and reinstall it and set again the laguages?
But the thing is that all my content is assigned under Greek language. Right now i have switched the default to be the English, but all content is still under Greek.
Should I change back the default to be the Greek before the RESET?
The site’s default language (that you set in WPML → Languages) and the language assigned to existing content are separate things. Changing the default language does not automatically update the language of your existing content.
To avoid manually reassigning content languages, it’s best to reset WPML and reconfigure it from scratch (since you have no translations yet). There is no need to switch the default language back before resetting.
Is it possible that reset will delete my existing data? Products, Product categories, Media, pages, etc, cause as I said, everything is now assigned as Greek.
Is there a way to totaly wipe out WPML and reinstall it and set again the laguages?
Resetting WPML will remove all WPML-related data (languages, translations, settings, etc.), but it will not delete your core content. Yes, performing a reset is the correct way to completely remove WPML configuration and start fresh.
However, make sure to create a full backup of your site (files + database) before proceeding, just to be safe.
