Problem with string translations

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

Problem:
You are managing a large number of string translations (over 29,000 records) on your site and are unsure how to handle or reduce them. You are also concerned about the effects of deleting strings that are fully or partly translated.
Solution:
To manage or reduce the number of string translation records, we recommend the following steps:
1. Turn off auto-registration of strings in WPML -> String Translation -> Utilities to prevent unnecessary accumulation of new strings.
2. Use the "Cleanup and optimize string tables" and "Clear invalid strings" options in WPML -> Troubleshooting to clean up your database.
3. Manually check for unnecessary strings in the String Translation section and delete them, especially those that are not translated. You can filter strings by text-domain and remove them in bulk if they are not needed.

Please ensure you have a full backup of your website and database before making any changes. It is highly advised to perform these actions on a staging or development site first.

If you decide to delete strings, be aware that this action will also remove their translations. This will affect only the translations of the specific strings you delete.

If the solution provided here does not resolve your issue or seems outdated, we highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have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 needed, please do not hesitate to open a new support ticket at WPML support forum for further assistance.

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Tagged: Documentation request, Exception

This topic contains 5 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Waqas Bin Hasan 1 week, 3 days ago.

Assisted by: Waqas Bin Hasan.

Author	Posts
August 28, 2025 at 11:51 am #17354888
rolfv	Background of the issue: I am trying to manage string translations on my site hidden link using WPML. There are more than 29,000 records in the string translation. Symptoms: I am unsure how to handle the large number of string translation records. Questions: What can I do to manage or reduce the number of string translation records?
August 28, 2025 at 1:30 pm #17355374
Waqas Bin Hasan WPML Supporter since 05/2014 Languages: English (English ) Timezone: Asia/Karachi (GMT+05:00)	Hi, Thank you for contacting the support. This may happen when you've lot of plugins and themes (switched frequently), which may add strings for translation. On the other hand if you've activated auto-register strings in WPML -> String Translation -> Utilities, which registers new strings as they appear on frontend (and backend, based on selected option). Apparently you can try the following: - Turn off auto-registration of strings. - Try "Cleanup and optimize string tables" and "Clear invalid strings" options in WPML -> Troubleshooting. - In String Translation, manually check for the strings which may not be needed (specially which are not translated) and delete those. You can also check by text-domain to filter the strings and can remove by selecting in bulk, if not needed. IMPORTANT: Please take full backup of your website and database beforehand. It is highly advised to try this on a staging/dev site first, so your live website isn't compromised. Regards.
August 29, 2025 at 8:02 am #17357026
rolfv	Hi, I've done everything, but there are still a lot of records left. 1. What can I do about this? 2. I notice that the base language for strings is English, when it should be Dutch. How do I change this? 3. How and where can i change that string are auto translated? Regards, Rolf
August 29, 2025 at 12:46 pm #17358139
Waqas Bin Hasan WPML Supporter since 05/2014 Languages: English (English ) Timezone: Asia/Karachi (GMT+05:00)	Please consider followings details to your questions: 1. What can I do about this? You can try removing strings by domain which removes untranslated strings. Please try following steps: 1. Ensure you have a full site backup before making changes. 2. Navigate to WPML → String Translation. 3. Scroll down to the 'Remove strings by domain' section. 4. Click 'Remove strings'. 5. Select the domains you want to delete and click 'Remove'. Alternatively if you'd like to delete all strings directly from database, which is not recommended and should only be tried if above mentioned does not work. And of course with great care. Please see this discussion in our forums. 2. I notice that the base language for strings is English, when it should be Dutch. How do I change this? Please see https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/string-translation/how-to-change-the-source-language-of-strings/ for details. 3. How and where can i change that string are auto translated? - Go to WPML -> String Translation -> Utilities. - Find "Auto register untranslated strings" and "Track where strings appear on the site" sections (see attached). - Expand the sections and turn off the options.
September 1, 2025 at 2:57 pm #17363301
rolfv	Hi, Thank you for your feedback. One more quetsion: if i delete existing strings which are full or partly translated what will happen to the translation itself? Are they also deleted?
September 2, 2025 at 4:41 am #17364289
Waqas Bin Hasan WPML Supporter since 05/2014 Languages: English (English ) Timezone: Asia/Karachi (GMT+05:00)	When you remove a string, it is deleted along its translations. This only affects the translations of that particular string. For example, you deleted a string "Read more" which was used in some places in the website. So on those places, the string 'll not appear as translated after you've deleted it.