[Resolved] Cannot change translation in one taxonomy (category)
This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.
Problem: The client was experiencing issues with taxonomy translation in WPML, specifically with two categories ('oponki' and 'pączki') both translated to 'Donuts' causing conflicts. The client suspected a strange character in the translation fields or a possible duplicate category issue. Solution: 1. We suggested checking the WPML settings to ensure that the 'Copy taxonomy to translations' option is disabled under WPML > Settings > Synchronization of Posts and Pages. 2. We recommended creating a staging environment to isolate the issue by deactivating unrelated plugins and switching to a default theme if necessary. 3. To address the specific issue of duplicate categories, the client can delete the problematic category translations by navigating to Posts > Categories, using the language filter to access translated categories, and deleting them. This action should also remove the translations in WPML > Taxonomy Translation.
If this solution does not resolve your issue or seems outdated, we highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have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 the problem persists, please open a new support ticket.
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.
Hi.
I have a problem with one taxonomy translations. It was saved, but now i cannot make any change to it.
Window with translation is not closing and after save, all previous entries are back. Even If I try to remove all of them, they reappear.
Languages: English (English )Spanish (Español )German (Deutsch )
Timezone: America/Lima (GMT-05:00)
Hello,
By default, it is expected that translated posts use the same categories as the original posts.
You can disable the synchronization for post taxonomies at WPML > Settings > Synchronization of Posts and Pages by disabling the option "Copy taxonomy to translations".
Languages: English (English )Spanish (Español )German (Deutsch )
Timezone: America/Lima (GMT-05:00)
This might be a JavaScript issue between WPML and another plugin, or code inside the Child Theme or Custom Snippets plugin.
Could you please create a copy or staging environment of the website and try running it with a minimal setup to determine if the problem persists?
1) Deactivate all additional plugins that are not related to WPML and our add-ons. Now test again.
2) If the problem disappears, start reactivating the plugins one by one, or activate them in small groups. This way, check where the problem reappears to identify the culprit plugin.
3) If this doesn't resolve the issue, please switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One to see if the problem might be theme-related.
Once we've identified the cause, we can try to replicate the problem and then escalate it internally. I'll provide a test site with WPML for this purpose.
---
If you are unable to set up a copy of your website, please let me know and I will be happy to assist you.
As I wrote in the chat with AI this is a production site and I cannot just disable plugins. This is the LAST resort, not the first way of troubleshooting. All other categories are working fine.
On the copy of that page the same category is working (copy was done before it break)
I do suspect some strange character in the translation somewhere in the fields.
Is there a way to clear out translation for the selected taxonomy?
Where in the database I can search for those entries?
Ok I think i know what might be the issue. In Poland we have two categories "oponki" and "pączki" both of them are translated to "Donuts" and that one is cousing issue. We have two categories "the same" - how can I fix that ?
Just a confirmation - It was that case. I change name of the second translation and the one that was not working is saved now. You can add that to you KB for the future. Ticket can be closed.
Kind Regards
Bartosz
Languages: English (English )Spanish (Español )German (Deutsch )
Timezone: America/Lima (GMT-05:00)
I am glad to hear that you found a solution to the issue!
You can delete categories by going to Posts > Categories and using the language filter to access translated categories and delete them.
This should also remove the translations at WPML > Taxonomy Translation.
It sounds like there was a corrupted database entry on your site, which might have occurred due to a bug on the site in the past, that no longer exists.
In WordPress, it is possible to declare various Taxonomy Terms with the same name, but what programmatically controls them usually is the slug, and it is not possible to use the same slug more than once. If you try to do this, WordPress will add a number, like for example "-2" to the slug. See screenshot.
