Skip to content Skip to sidebar

Home › Support › English Support › [Resolved] Display Translation Options for Website

[Resolved] Display Translation Options for Website

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

Problem:
The client was unable to see the language switcher options on their live site, although they were visible when logged into the CMS. The issue was identified as custom CSS hiding the language switcher.
Solution:
1. We confirmed that the hiding of the language switcher was due to custom CSS, which is not added by WPML by default. We suggested checking the site to identify where this CSS is coming from and remove it.
2. We recommended increasing the WP Memory Limit to at least 128MB for WPML to function properly, as the current setting was only 40MB. This involves adding the following lines to the wp-config.php file:

/* WP Memory Limit */<br />define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

Place it before the line: 

/* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */

3. We advised updating to the latest version of WPML (4.7.3) to ensure compatibility and functionality.
4. If the problem persists, we suggested providing temporary access to the site for further investigation and possibly needing permission to deactivate/reactivate plugins and themes for troubleshooting.

Please note that this solution might be outdated or not applicable to your specific case. 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 issue persists, please open a new support ticket at WPML support forum.

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: 

This topic contains 4 replies, has 1 voice.

Last updated by rachaelH 11 months, 1 week ago.

Assisted by: Noman.

Author Posts
April 3, 2025 at 4:00 pm #16893795

rachaelH

Background of the issue:
I am trying to display translation options on my website hidden link. We have completed all translations and can see the options to switch languages like French and German when logged into the CMS.

I made a Vidyard Video explaining: hidden link?

Symptoms:
When viewing the site live on another browser without being logged into the CMS, the options to switch languages are not available.

Questions:
Why are the language switcher options not visible on the live site?
How can I make the language switcher visible to all users?
April 3, 2025 at 7:40 pm #16894688

rachaelH

This was an update from one of our support staff:

So I was able to find the cause. Looks like it's some CSS that's removing it from being displayed.

I checked the settings for WPML and didn't notice anything that would add this. I also checked your theme settings and notice this set up anywhere there either. I think this may be a setting though in WPML since that snippet of CSS is added directly to the page instead of by JS or other elements. I would reach out back ou to WPML with this new info to see if they know.

In the mean time I've added some CSS to overwrite the styles above in the Customizer under additional CSS:

unnamed.png
unnamed (1).png
April 6, 2025 at 8:07 am #16900827

Noman

Hi,

Thank you for contacting WPML Support. Sorry for the delay due to high workload and the reply time will be shorter from now. Thanks for the details and the video.

It looks like the language switcher was being hidden by some custom CSS. This is not something WPML adds by default, I also tested it on a fresh WP site. Glad to hear your team added CSS to make it visible now.

If you'd like, I can help check the site further to find where that CSS is coming from and help remove it properly.

Please let me know if this resolves the issue or if you need further assistance with this issue.

Thank you
April 7, 2025 at 9:37 pm #16906451

rachaelH

If you could check the site further to see where that CSS is coming from so we can move it properly, that would be great. I can relay it to our dev team.
April 8, 2025 at 9:36 am #16908068

Noman

Okay sure, could you please try to follow the below steps:

1. Take a backup of your site first for safety reasons.
2. The current WP Memory Limit on your site is 40MB. The WP memory limit needs to be increased, it's different from PHP memory. PHP memory is fine but WordPress uses 40MB as default in your site. The minimum requirements for WPML are 128MB: https://wpml.org/home/minimum-requirements/

Please add this line to your wp-config.php file to increase WP memory, wp-config.php file is located in the root of your WP install:

/* WP Memory Limit */
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

You can add it anywhere in your file. I recommend placing it right before the following line:

/* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */

3. We have recently released WPML 4.7.3, please update it to the latest version. You can update it from Plugins >> Add New Plugin page, click the Commercial tab, and then click the “Check for updates” button. Here is the screenshot for more details: https://wpml.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/wpml-force-plugin-update-1.png

4. If the issue persists, please provide temporary access (WP-Admin and FTP Login info) to your site (preferably staging site), so that I can look into your setup and debug the issue.

Your next answer will be private, meaning only you and I can access it.

=== Please backup your database and website ===

✙ I would additionally need your permission to deactivate and reactivate Plugins and the Theme and to change configurations on the site. This is also a reason the backup is essential.

Thank you
April 11, 2025 at 2:41 pm #16923242

rachaelH

Thank you!