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

Problem:
The client needs help configuring WPML so that automatic translations run continuously in the background, without requiring them to log into the WordPress admin. Currently, translations only process when logged into the WordPress admin.
Solution:
1. Disable WordPress's built-in

wp_cron

: Add the following line to your

wp-config.php

file, ideally just above the

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

line:

define('DISABLE_WP_CRON', true);

This stops

wp_cron

from being triggered by regular site visits.
2. Set up a server-side cron job: Access your hosting control panel to create a new cron job. The command to run

wp-cron.php

typically looks like this:

wget -q -O - https://your-domain.com/wp-cron.php?doing_wp_cron >/dev/null 2>&1

Replace

https://your-domain.com

with your actual website's URL. Set this cron job to run frequently, for example, every 5 or 10 minutes.
Note: There are no specific WPML hooks or WP-CLI commands designed to directly trigger or force automatic translation processing independently of the general

wp_cron

system. The server-side cron job approach is the most reliable method for ensuring all WordPress and WPML background tasks, including automatic translations, run consistently.

If this solution does not resolve your issue, or if it seems outdated or not applicable to your case, we highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent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 further assistance is needed, please open a new support ticket at WPML support forum.

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

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This topic contains 2 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Carlos Rojas 1 week, 2 days ago.

Assisted by: Carlos Rojas.

Author Posts
January 8, 2026 at 1:26 pm #17713024

arleyM-2

I need help configuring WPML so that automatic translations run continuously in the background, without requiring me to log into the WordPress admin.

Currently, even with automatic translation enabled, translations are only processed when I log into the WordPress admin with my account.

I would like to know:

Whether this is expected WPML behavior

If there is any additional configuration needed to allow automatic translations to run properly (via wp_cron, server cron, or WP-CLI)

And whether there is any WPML hook/action that can be used to trigger or force automatic translations to run without depending on admin access

January 8, 2026 at 1:52 pm #17713143

Carlos Rojas
WPML Supporter since 03/2017

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+01:00)

Hi again,

I have escalated this ticket as a featured request. I will keep you updated on the evolution of this ticket.

Thank you very much for your patience and understanding!

January 9, 2026 at 10:11 am #17715502

Carlos Rojas
WPML Supporter since 03/2017

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+01:00)

Hi there,

After consulting our specialists in the 2nd tier of support, they confirmed that this is the expected behavior of WPML, and in the next version, they will include a warning to make it clear that the user must be logged in so the automatic translation can work.