Skip Navigation

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

Problem:
You want to stop receiving updates for the de_DE language, which you uninstalled years ago, but updates for plugins in this language continue.
Solution:
The issue is not directly related to WPML but to WordPress core, which manages translation files independently. Even if de_DE is uninstalled, WordPress might still download updates for it if old .po or .mo files exist on your server. To resolve this, manually remove de_DE translation files from the following directories:

  • /wp-content/languages/
  • /wp-content/languages/plugins/

Look for files like

woocommerce-de_DE.mo

and

jetpack-de_DE.po

and delete them.

If this solution does not apply to your case, or if it seems outdated, we recommend opening a new support ticket. Also, check the related known issues and ensure you have the latest versions of themes and plugins installed.

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.

This topic contains 1 reply, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Bruno Kos 1 week, 4 days ago.

Assisted by: Bruno Kos.

Author Posts
June 30, 2025 at 4:19 am #17181199

helenS-4

Background of the issue:
I want the 'Updating translations for' actions for the (de_DE) language to stop because the language is no longer in use and has been uninstalled years ago. I have many translations (noine in (de_DE of course), so deleting them is not an option.

Symptoms:
I expected no more updates for (de_DE), but I am still receiving constant updates for my plugins in this language (de_DE)

Questions:
How can I stop the updates for the (de_DE) language?
Why am I still receiving updates for a language that is uninstalled?

June 30, 2025 at 6:19 am #17181326

Bruno Kos
WPML Supporter since 12/2018

Languages: English (English ) German (Deutsch ) French (Français )

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

Hi,

This is not related to WPML directly. Instead, this behavior stems from WordPress core itself, which manages translation files independently of WPML.

Even though the de\_DE language has been uninstalled as a site language, WordPress may still attempt to download and update translation files for it. This often happens if old `.po` or `.mo` files for that language still exist on the server—particularly those related to plugins like Jetpack or WooCommerce.

To permanently stop these updates, you can remove de\_DE translation files from folders such as

* `/wp-content/languages/`
* `/wp-content/languages/plugins/`

Common examples include `woocommerce-de_DE.mo`, `jetpack-de_DE.po`, etc.