After update WPML backend doesn't works

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

Problem:
After updating the WPML plugins, the backend of the WordPress site stops working, and the browser times out. Disabling the WPML main plugin resolves the issue temporarily, indicating a potential database-related problem.
Solution:

1. Edit wp-config.php and insert the following lines (just before /* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */ part)

define( 'WP_DEBUG', true);
define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define( 'WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);

2. Reproduce the issue

3. Locate the debug log in: /wp-content/debug.log

4. You should see the actual error that causes the issue.

For more details on debugging in WordPress, visit https://codex.wordpress.org/Debugging_in_WordPress.

If this solution does not resolve your issue or seems outdated, we highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have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

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Tagged: Exception

This topic contains 4 replies, has 1 voice.

Last updated by Antonio Molinari 1 day, 23 hours ago.

Assisted by: Andrey.

Author	Posts
April 10, 2025 at 8:00 am #16917033
Antonio Molinari	Background of the issue: I updated the WPML plugins today, and since then, the backend of my WordPress site at hidden link has stopped working. If I turn off the WPML main plugin, the problem is solved, but it reappears when I turn it back on. I tried previous versions of the plugin, but nothing changes. It seems to be a database-related issue because the same error occurs locally after downloading the database from the staging server. Symptoms: The backend of my WordPress site does not finish loading, and the browser times out after a few seconds. Questions: Can you help me resolve the issue with the WPML plugin causing the backend to stop working?
April 10, 2025 at 12:25 pm #16918501
Bruno Kos Supporter Languages: English (English ) German (Deutsch ) French (Français ) Timezone: Europe/Zagreb (GMT+02:00)	Hi, Can you do this? 1. Edit wp-config.php and insert the following lines (just before /* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */ part) define( 'WP_DEBUG', true); define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true); define( 'WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false); 2. Reproduce the issue 3. Locate the debug log in: /wp-content/debug.log 4. Paste the latest lines here. No need to paste the entire log file, just 10 lines or so will do. Please censor any sensitive information. https://codex.wordpress.org/Debugging_in_WordPress But also do this: - do the above reproducing (so from step 2) - get the latest server debug logs (you can ask hosting support if unsure how to locate them) Let us know how it goes or if you need further information! Regards, Bruno Kos
April 10, 2025 at 1:16 pm #16918823
Antonio Molinari	Hi Bruno, I activated the debug and re-activated the WPML plugin. Now backend is "blocked" again and I cannot access any pages without create a timeout error. I look for the debug.log but file is basically empty. I tried also in local, where I have the same issue, and in the log file (apache_log, php_log, mysql_log...) I don't have any lines about this project. I don't know what to do, backend is impossible to navigate through pages or settings, and logs are all empty so I have no clue to how to solve the error. Let me know if I can try any other way. Thanks
April 10, 2025 at 2:44 pm #16919284
Andrey Supporter Languages: English (English ) Russian (Русский ) Timezone: Europe/Kyiv (GMT+03:00)	This is Andrey here. I will be assisting you further. I hope this is okay. I need to request temporary access (wp-admin and FTP) to your site—preferably to a test site where the problem has been replicated if possible—in order to be of better help. When you log in to leave your next reply, you will find the needed fields below the comment area. The information you will enter is private, meaning only you and I can see and access it.
April 11, 2025 at 7:08 am #16921237
Antonio Molinari	Hello Andrey, thanks for your support and reply. Unfortunately I cannot provide you these informations and access because the server hosts also other projects for others customers, so we prefer not to give access to outsiders. I therefore preferred to restore a previous database backup, losing some data, but somehow solving the problem. Thanks anyway