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[Resolved] transferring multi language plugin

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

Problem:
The client is experiencing issues with mixed language posts when transferring blogs between two sites using WP Import Export Lite and WPML Export and Import.
Solution:
If you're experiencing this issue, we recommend following these steps:
1. Ensure that the WPML add-on is installed on both websites and that you have followed our guide on WPML Export and Import.
2. When exporting, include related WPML data for posts. Use the following custom fields:
- 

_wpml_import_translation_group

: A unique value associating the default language content with its translations.
- 

_wpml_import_language_code

: The language code for each item.
- 

_wpml_import_source_language_code

: The original language code of the content (only necessary for translations).
3. Disable all non-WPML plugins and switch to the default WordPress theme. Trash and delete all existing posts on the target site, then import again with the correct settings.
4. If issues persist, consider exporting and importing images and taxonomies separately, ensuring all necessary fields are included and correctly mapped.

If this solution does not resolve your issue or seems outdated, we highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have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 further assistance is needed, please open a new support ticket at WPML support forum.

This is the technical support forum for WPML - the multilingual WordPress plugin.

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This topic contains 5 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Dražen 2 months, 1 week ago.

Assisted by: Dražen.

Author Posts
November 18, 2025 at 10:42 am

Sam

Background of the issue:
I'm trying to transfer the posts from hidden link to hidden link using WP Import Export Lite and have also installed WPML Export and Import.

Symptoms:
When I transfer the blogs, they do transfer successfully, but all the English and French blogs are mixed.

Questions:
How can I ensure that the English and French blogs are not mixed during the transfer?
November 18, 2025 at 12:18 pm #17587927

Dražen
Supporter

Languages: English (English )

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

Hello,

I just have tried and it works fine in the new test site. So, seems something is wrong with your setup or causing this issue.

Can you please disable all plugins leave active only WPML plugins, and use WP default theme. Trash and delete all existing posts, and then import again with correct settings.

Let me know how it goes, or I can also try it just need permission for above actions.

Regards,
Drazen
November 19, 2025 at 6:01 am #17589963

Sam

Hi,
I have trashed all existing posts. Feel free to disable plugins and change the theme and import again.
Regards,
Sam
November 19, 2025 at 10:00 am #17591036

Dražen
Supporter

Languages: English (English )

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

Hello,

thanks, I have disabled all other plugins and run the import and now it works fine.

Please check.

Regards,
Drazen
November 19, 2025 at 12:44 pm #17591734

Sam

thank you so much for your help.
The categories and the featured images are not transferred. Can you help with this?
Sam
November 19, 2025 at 2:26 pm #17592288

Dražen
Supporter

Languages: English (English )

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

Hello Sam,

thanks, sure so the process is a bit different in this case. First, you’ll need to move all existing posts to the trash and then permanently delete them / empty trash, ensuring that no posts remain in staging site.

Next, you’ll need to export and import the images from your website. I’m not sure whether WP Import Lite supports image handling, but if it does, the process is the same. Otherwise, you can simply upload the post-related images directly into your media library.

After that, export and import your taxonomies, and then export and import the posts themselves. Make sure the export includes the image filenames, taxonomies, and any other necessary fields. When importing, verify that these fields are correctly mapped. Essentially, the process is the same as without WPML — the only important part on our side is ensuring the WPML custom field values are included and imported so we can connect them as translation.

Once everything is imported, you can enable WPML import/export and run the synchronization process. I would recommend importing everything in current minimal environment, since it’s likely that some custom plugin or code is causing the issue.

Let me know how it goes and if you have any troubles.

Best regards,
Drazen