2 mistakes when using their free translation service

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

Problem:
You are using WPML's automatic translation service for your website, but encountering issues where Yoast SEO settings and theme headers are not automatically activated in translations, requiring manual intervention.

Solution:
1. Ensure Yoast SEO Custom Fields are set to Translate:
- Navigate to WPML → Settings in your WordPress dashboard.
- In the Custom Fields Translation section, find fields starting with

_yoast_wpseo_

(e.g.,

_yoast_wpseo_title

_yoast_wpseo_metadesc

).
- Set these fields to Translate and save your changes.

2. Verify and Update WPML SEO Add-on:
- Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins.
- Check if WPML SEO is active. If not, activate it or install it from the Commercial tab under Plugins → Add New Plugin.
- Update all relevant plugins including WPML, WPML String Translation, WPML SEO, and Yoast SEO.

3. Verify Yoast SEO fields in Advanced Translation Editor:
- Create a new page/post/product and set up Yoast SEO meta details.
- Send it for translation via WPML → Translation Dashboard and use the Advanced Translation Editor.
- Ensure Yoast SEO fields like SEO Title and Meta Description are visible and translatable.

If these steps do not resolve your issue or the solution becomes outdated, please check related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verify the version of the permanent fix, and confirm that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. If necessary, we recommend opening a new support ticket for personalized assistance. For further support, please visit our support forum at https://wpml.org/forums/forum/english-support/.

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.

Tagged: Documentation request

This topic contains 4 replies, has 1 voice.

Last updated by Carlos Rojas 2 weeks, 4 days ago.

Assisted by: Carlos Rojas.

Author	Posts
March 24, 2026 at 8:33 pm #17924023
ramonY	Hello, I'm using your automatic translation service to translate my website. It's translating almost everything correctly, but there are two parts where it's not working and I have to do it manually. The first error in the translation of their service is that after translating the page, WooCommerce product or post, to activate the SEO by Yoast plugin service I have to manually enter each translation and activate it manually. The second error is that it doesn't activate my theme's header; I have to do it manually. Here is a video explaining the problem so there is no doubt about my issue: hidden link I look forward to your comments to resolve this issue.
March 24, 2026 at 8:54 pm #17924038
ramonY	Hello, I'm using your automatic translation service to translate my website. It's translating almost everything correctly, but there are two parts where it's not working and I have to do it manually. The first error in the translation of their service is that after translating the page, WooCommerce product or post, to activate the SEO by Yoast plugin service I have to manually enter each translation and activate it manually. The second error is that it doesn't activate my theme's header; I have to do it manually. Here is a video explaining the problem so there is no doubt about my issue: hidden link I look forward to your comments to resolve this issue.
March 26, 2026 at 8:58 am #17928137
Carlos Rojas WPML Supporter since 03/2017 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+02:00)	Hello, Thank you for contacting us This issue is caused by an incorrect configuration of the custom field that handles the header and the banner. Please set the correct configuration of this custom field by following the steps described in this guide: https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/translating-custom-fields/ Let me know if you need further assistance. We are more than happy to help 🙂 Regards, Carlos
March 28, 2026 at 1:59 am #17933402
ramonY	Hi, thank you so much for your reply. I've already located the section where I configure the custom fields. There are quite a few fields, and I'm not sure which ones to select. I've taken a screenshot so you can tell me which fields I need to modify and avoid making any mistakes. I look forward to your instructions.
March 30, 2026 at 7:53 am #17935349
Carlos Rojas WPML Supporter since 03/2017 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+02:00)	Hi there, In this case, you need to search for the Yoast fields and set the ones you desire to translate to translatable. You can also take a look at this guide: https://wpml.org/documentation/plugins-compatibility/using-wordpress-seo-with-wpml/, which explains step-by-step how to correctly translate Yoast. Please let me know if you need further assistance.