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[Resolved] WPML translations not showing on frontend (Elementor section 'content switcher' & WooCommerce Chec...

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

Problem:
You are experiencing issues where content translated in WPML does not appear on the frontend, despite being visible in edit/preview mode. This includes Elementor sections/templates not showing translated content on the frontend and the WooCommerce Checkout page not displaying translations correctly.
Solution:
First, ensure that all content within Elementor is saved in the 

_elementor_data

custom field. This is crucial for the translations to apply correctly on the frontend. If you've confirmed this and the issue persists, follow these steps:
1. Use Elementor's Tools to Regenerate Files & Data.
2. Utilize WPML's Troubleshooting options to clear cache and sync content.
3. Verify that all Elementor Templates are set as Translatable.
4. Confirm the correct language URLs are in use (e.g., /nl/ for Dutch).
5. Check that all buttons, links, and widgets are translated and saved.
6. Clear both site and browser cache.
If these steps do not resolve the issues, the problem might be outdated or specific to your setup. We recommend visiting related known issues, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and ensuring you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. If the problem persists, please open a new support ticket.

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This topic contains 6 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Marcel 3 months, 2 weeks ago.

Assisted by: Marcel.

Author Posts
January 12, 2026 at 11:32 pm #17723348

fouadE-4

Hello WPML Support Team,

I am experiencing two related translation issues where content is correctly translated in WPML but does not appear on the frontend, even though it is visible in edit/preview mode.

Context

Website built with WordPress + Elementor

Using WPML Multilingual CMS and WPML Multilingual & Multicurrency for WooCommerce

Languages: English (default) → Dutch (NL)

Pages and templates built with Elementor

Checkout page built using Elementor WooCommerce Checkout widget

Issue 1 – Elementor sections / templates not translated on frontend

Description

Pricing sections (device-based tabs: 1 device, 2 devices, 3 devices, etc.) are built using Elementor sections/templates and displayed via a Content Switcher.

In the WPML Translation Editor, all content (titles, buttons, icon lists, links) is fully translated into Dutch.

WPML shows the translation as Completed (100%).

However, on the frontend preview and live page, some of these sections still display the original English content.

The issue only happens on the frontend; translations are correct in the backend editor.

Observation
It seems that the frontend is still loading the original (EN) Elementor template instead of the translated one, even though the translation exists.

Issue 2 – WooCommerce Checkout page translation not showing on frontend

Description

The Checkout page is translated in WPML and opens correctly in edit mode (Elementor + WPML).

All checkout-related texts appear translated in the editor.

However, on the frontend, the translated checkout page does not display correctly or still shows the original language.

This happens despite the translation being completed and saved.

Important note
The translated Checkout page is visible in edit mode, but not applied on the live frontend, which suggests a rendering or template-loading issue.

What I already tried

Elementor → Tools → Regenerate Files & Data

WPML → Support → Troubleshooting (clear cache, sync content)

Verified that all Elementor Templates are set as Translatable

Confirmed correct language URLs (/nl/)

Checked that buttons, links, and widgets are translated and saved

Cleared site and browser cache

The issues persist.

Temporary access

I have provided temporary WordPress admin access using a temporary access plugin so your team can inspect the site directly.
January 13, 2026 at 3:12 pm #17726353

Marcel
Supporter

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch )

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

Hi,

Let’s first focus on the initial issue you reported. If needed, we can split the ticket and handle the second issue separately. This will help keep the ticket clean and focused.

Is the Content Switcher widget native to Elementor, or is it added by a third-party plugin? I can’t find a native implementation in Elementor itself, so there may be additional configuration involved. Please let me know.

If it's handled by 3rd party Add-Ons, it can be made translatable as described here: https://wpml.org/documentation/support/multilingual-tools/registering-custom-elementor-widgets-for-translation/.

Best regards,
Marcel
January 13, 2026 at 7:46 pm #17727241

fouadE-4

Hi Marcel,

Thanks for the clarification.

Yes, the Content Switcher widget is not native to Elementor. It comes from a third-party plugin:
Addon Elements for Elementor (formerly “Elementor Addon Elements”).

The issue is that the content inside the switcher (device sections) is translated and marked 100% complete in WPML’s Translation Editor, but on the frontend it still displays the original language for those switcher panels.

I understand this likely requires registering the custom widget fields for translation (via WPML custom XML configuration / Multilingual Tools plugin).

Could you please advise the best approach for a non-developer?

Should I install the Multilingual Tools plugin and generate the XML for this widget, then paste it under WPML → Settings → Custom XML Configuration?

If yes, is there anything specific I should watch for with this Addon Elements Content Switcher widget (e.g., templates/repeater fields)?

If you need it, I can send you the exact widget name/slug as it appears in Elementor, and screenshots of the widget settings panel.

Temporary WP admin access is already available (as shared earlier), so you can also inspect directly.

Best regards,
January 14, 2026 at 2:46 pm #17729804

Marcel
Supporter

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch )

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

Hi,

yes, the Multilingual plugin will actually generate the configuration for you. Once it is activated, you can simply copy and paste the required config from there. This also covers repeater fields and similar setups.

Let’s try this approach first. If anything does not work as expected, just let me know.

Also, please do not forget to re-edit the default language after making the change so the translation editor receives the update.

Best regards,
Marcel
January 14, 2026 at 2:46 pm #17729805

Marcel
Supporter

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch )

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

Hi,

yes, the Multilingual plugin will actually generate the configuration for you. Once it is activated, you can simply copy and paste the required config from there. This also covers repeater fields and similar setups.

Let’s try this approach first. If anything does not work as expected, just let me know.

Also, please do not forget to re-edit the default language after making the change so the translation editor receives the update.

Best regards,
Marcel
January 16, 2026 at 12:45 am #17735517

fouadE-4

Hello Marcel,

Thank you for your reply.

I followed all the steps exactly as described in the documentation and your previous instructions:

Installed and activated WPML Multilingual CMS and WPML String Translation

Installed and activated the Multilingual Tools plugin

Created a new test page in the default language (English)

Edited the page with Elementor

Added the Content Switcher widget (from Addon Elements for Elementor)

Configured it fully (titles, tabs, buttons, text, links — no empty or hidden fields)

Updated / published the page

Returned to the WordPress editor (not Elementor)

However, I do not see the “WPML: Elementor Widgets” section at the bottom of the page where the XML configuration should be generated.

Because of this:

No XML is generated automatically

There is nothing to copy into WPML → Settings → Custom XML Configuration

The widget fields never appear correctly on the frontend, even though they are translated in the WPML editor

This happens consistently, even after:

Re-saving the page

Editing the default language again

Clearing cache

Regenerating Elementor files

Based on this, it seems that WPML is not detecting or extracting the Content Switcher widget at all, which prevents the XML from being generated.

I have attached screenshots showing:

The absence of the WPML XML generator section

Looking forward to your guidance on how to proceed.

Best regards,
January 16, 2026 at 10:52 am #17736540

Marcel
Supporter

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch )

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

Hi,

it seems like you missed that important step:

When you create a page using the Elementor page builder, all the content gets saved in the _elementor_data custom field.

Can you please check that?

Best Regards,
Marcel