hreflang Code Failing with WPML and Elementor Pro

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

Problem:
The client is trying to implement hreflang tags on a multilingual WordPress site using WPML and Elementor Pro. Despite manually adding hreflang code to the English page header via Elementor Pro, the setup fails to reflect on translated pages. The WPML configuration is set to update hreflang automatically, but the hreflang Validator Tool shows errors for missing self-referential hreflang tags for languages other than English.
Solution:
We recommend the following steps to ensure proper hreflang tag implementation:
1. Create a backup of your website, or better yet, test this on a staging version of the site.
2. Navigate to

WordPress Dashboard > Plugins > Add new > Commercial (tab)

.
3. Click the "Check for Updates" button.
4. Update WPML and its addons.
5. Install the WPML SEO plugin, which is necessary for correct hreflang generation.
For more information on installing WPML, visit https://wpml.org/faq/install-wpml/#automated-updates
For more details on adding hreflang tags, see https://wpml.org/documentation/support/adding-hreflang-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If this solution does not resolve your issue or seems outdated, we highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have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 further assistance is needed, please open a new support ticket at https://wpml.org/forums/forum/english-support/.

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

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Tagged: Documentation request

This topic contains 5 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Christopher Amirian 3 months ago.

Assisted by: Christopher Amirian.

Author	Posts
March 9, 2025 at 3:33 pm #16793253
marcoM-185	Background of the issue: I am trying to implement hreflang tags on my multilingual WordPress site using WPML and Elementor Pro. Despite adding the hreflang code manually to the English page header via Elementor Pro, the setup fails to reflect on translated pages. The WPML configuration is set to update hreflang automatically with the option set to immediate. Here is the code I added: <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="hidden link" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="it" href="hidden link" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="de" href="hidden link" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="fr" href="hidden link" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="x-default" href="hidden link" />. Symptoms: On the Italian page (hidden link), no hreflang tags appear. The hreflang Validator Tool shows errors for missing self-referential hreflang tags for languages other than English. Manual edits to the Elementor Pro header do not reflect on translated pages. WPML fails to propagate hreflang code to translated headers. Questions: Why are hreflang tags not appearing on translated pages? How can I ensure WPML propagates hreflang tags to all language headers? Why does the hreflang Validator Tool show errors for missing self-referential hreflang tags? What steps can I take to resolve conflicts between WPML and Elementor Pro regarding hreflang implementation?
March 10, 2025 at 6:58 am #16794499
Christopher Amirian WPML Supporter since 07/2020 Languages: English (English ) Timezone: Asia/Yerevan (GMT+04:00)	Hi, Welcome to WPML support. The manual addition of HREFLANG code is not supported in WPML as WPML handles that automatically and generates the proper code. Please do as follows: - IMPORTANT STEP! Create a backup of your website. Or better approach will be to test this on a copy/staging version of the website to avoid any disruption of a live website. - Go to "WordPress Dashboard > Plugins > Add new > Commercial (tab)". - Click the "Check for Updates" button. - Update WPML and its addons there. - Make sure that you install the WPML SEO plugin from there too as it is necessary for correct hreflang generation. For more information: https://wpml.org/faq/install-wpml/#automated-updates For more information about HREFLANG: https://wpml.org/documentation/support/adding-hreflang-wordpress/ Thanks.
March 10, 2025 at 9:29 am #16795259
marcoM-185	Hello As requested the plugin is updated and the SEO plugin installed i have forced the language code and save the settings The header seemed to be translated but I do not see the Hreflang Code on IT DE FR LU languages, the option set Display alternative languages in the HEAD section. to as early possible action It is still reporting errors Is there a setting that needs to be set to force the automation hreflang to setup tx rgds
March 11, 2025 at 5:22 pm #16803179
Christopher Amirian WPML Supporter since 07/2020 Languages: English (English ) Timezone: Asia/Yerevan (GMT+04:00)	Hi, Thank you, I tried to acces sthe website to see what is the HTML code generated but the website is not loading. Is there any sort of IP restriction going on to access the website? Or maybe I use a wrong URL? What I want to do is to check the HTML generated and the hreflang code
March 11, 2025 at 6:23 pm #16803584
marcoM-185	Sorry typo hidden link Is the correct address Then you have hidden link hidden link hidden link hidden link
March 12, 2025 at 1:52 pm #16807508
Christopher Amirian WPML Supporter since 07/2020 Languages: English (English ) Timezone: Asia/Yerevan (GMT+04:00)	Hi, Thank you for the URL. I explained details here: hidden link Video Summary: In the video, I reviewed the website’s WPML-generated code and confirmed that everything is set up correctly. The English version is designated as the default language, while the Italian version is properly configured with the correct hflang attributes. Although some validation tools might raise concerns, this behavior is standard HTML code, and the final interpretation of the code lies with Google. Overall, the WPML setup is functioning as expected.