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[Resolved] WPML setup stuck on Step 8 (“Finished”) → Internal Server Error. Wizard can’t be re-run
This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.
Problem: During the final step of the WPML onboarding wizard, the client encounters a critical error displaying an 'Internal Server Error' message. The wizard cannot be rerun or reverted to previous steps, and reinstalling WPML does not resolve the issue.
Solution: 1. Ensure to create a full backup of your site or set up a staging environment. 2. Update any outdated plugins or themes to their latest versions. 3. Clear all types of cache on your site. 4. Deactivate all plugins, including WPML, and switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty. 5. Enable WordPress debug mode by following this guide: https://developer.wordpress.org/advanced-administration/debug/debug-wordpress/ 6. Reactivate the WPML plugins and attempt to run the setup wizard again. 7. If the problem persists, check for fatal errors in the debug.log file within the wp-content folder. 8. If the error is resolved, reactivate your theme and other plugins one by one to identify the problematic component.
If these steps do not resolve your issue or if the solution seems outdated, we recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have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. Should the problem persist, please do not hesitate to open a new support ticket with us for further assistance.
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I’m unable to complete the WPML onboarding wizard on a client site. The wizard runs through Languages → URL format → Register → AI Translation → Human Translation → Support → Plugins, and at Step 8 – Finished it shows a red notice:
There was a critical error setting up WPML… (Internal Server Error).
From there I can’t go back to previous steps or re-run the wizard. Reinstalling the plugin leaves me stuck on Step 8 with the same error.
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What I expect vs. what happens
• Expected: Wizard finishes and I can access the Translation Dashboard.
• Actual: At the “Finished” step I immediately get Internal Server Error and the flow is locked.
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What I already tried
• Full remove/reinstall of WPML several times.
• Cleared cache (WP Rocket + browser), regenerated Permalinks, flushed any server/CDN cache.
• Disabled security/cache plugins temporarily (Wordfence, WP Rocket) and repeated setup.
• Followed the WPML forum article about RewriteBase / subdirectory home vs. siteurl (no change).
• Checked DB in phpMyAdmin: wp_options.option_id is auto-increment; DB collation currently latin1_swedish_ci (aware utf8mb4 is preferred, but WP runs fine otherwise).
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Environment
• WordPress: 6.6.3
• Theme: Medizin (ThemeMove) + Elementor
• Notable plugins: Elementor, WP Rocket, Slider Revolution, Wordfence, Yoast SEO, WPML
• Hosting: cPanel; phpMyAdmin available
• Languages: Site currently in Bosnian; target Bosnian + English
• Permalinks: Pretty permalinks enabled
• Screenshot of the error is attached.
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What I need from support
1. Is there a known cause for this Internal Server Error specifically at the finalize step?
2. How can I fully reset WPML’s onboarding state so I can re-run the wizard from Step 1?
(Exact tables/options to clear, or a built-in tool path if available.)
3. Which logs would help you most? I can provide:
• WP debug log (WP_DEBUG/LOG),
• Server error log (Apache/NGINX/PHP-FPM, ModSecurity),
• Site Health → Info export,
• Current .htaccess content.
Happy to share temporary admin access privately via your secure form if needed.
Thanks in advance for your guidance!
Symptoms:
At Step 8 ('Finished') of the WPML onboarding wizard, I encounter a critical error with an Internal Server Error message. I cannot go back to previous steps or re-run the wizard. Reinstalling the plugin does not resolve the issue.
Questions:
Is there a known cause for this Internal Server Error specifically at the finalize step?
How can I fully reset WPML’s onboarding state so I can re-run the wizard from Step 1?
Please follow these steps to isolate the cause of the issue and get more information:
- Create a full site backup or create a staging site with a copy of the live site (you can use WP Staging plugin for free)
- Update any outdated plugins or themes
- Flush any cache memory that might exist
- Deactivate all plugins, including the WPML ones
- Activate a default WordPress theme, like Twenty Twenty
- Activate the WordPress debug mode as described in this guide: https://developer.wordpress.org/advanced-administration/debug/debug-wordpress/
- Activate the WPML plugins
- Run the setup wizard again
- If the issue persists, check if there is any fatal error message in the debug.log file located within the wp-content folder
- If the issue disappeared, start by activating theme, and then the rest of the plugins, one by one, until the issue appears again and you find the culprit
Can you tell me the results of the steps described above?
