Problem: The client was unable to buy credits for translating their website due to an error with VAT validation, specifically receiving the message: "Error communicating with the VAT validation server - please try again." Despite trying to log out and log back in, and re-entering the VAT number, the issue persisted. Solution: We identified that the issue was related to the VIES API, which occasionally becomes unresponsive, typically for short periods. We recommended the client to ensure that their VAT number is VIES enabled, which they confirmed. The VIES service resumed shortly after, allowing the client to successfully complete the transaction and purchase credits.
If you're experiencing a similar issue, we recommend checking if your VAT number is VIES enabled and attempting the transaction again after a short wait. If the problem persists, please visit our support forum for further assistance. We also 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.
