[Resolved] Integrate WPLM language switcher in Groovy Menu
This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.
Problem: The client was unable to save the language switcher settings in the Groovy Menu on their Bellevue theme website. Despite enabling the 'Show WPML language switcher' option and deactivating all other plugins, the settings would not persist, and the language switcher did not appear in the menu. Solution: We recommended the client to ensure that the menu was translated by following the steps in our guide: Translating Menus. After confirming the issue persisted, we requested access to a staging site to conduct tests without affecting the live site. Upon investigation, we updated the outdated theme and plugins, flushed the cache, deactivated and then reactivated the WPML plugins, and finally added the language switcher in WPML -> Languages. This resolved the issue, and the language switcher remained in the menu.
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Background of the issue:
I am trying to add a language switcher to my Groovy Menu on my site hidden link. My theme (Bellevue) allows for two menu locations, and my menu is configured as 'Groovy Menu primary location' under Appearance/Menus/Manage Locations. Under WPML/Languages, when I try to add a language switcher to my menu, it says 'setting saved' but the settings disappear when I leave the page and return. Widget and footer language switchers work fine. The 'Show WPML language switcher' option is enabled in Groovy Menu/General settings. I have deactivated all plugins except Groovy Menu and WPML, but there is no improvement. Bellevue Theme and Groovy Menu should be 100% compatible with WPML according to the documentation.
Symptoms:
The language switcher settings in the menu do not save properly and disappear after leaving the page. The language switcher does not appear in the top menu when previewing the page.
Questions:
How can I successfully add a language switcher to my Groovy Menu?
Why do the language switcher settings disappear after saving?
Is there a known issue with integrating a language switcher in a header menu with my setup?
As a matter of fact, the main menu I am using has been translated in all 03 languages I am using with the WPML translate and Sync functionality.
With the language switcher included in the footer and widget, I am able to switch between the different translations of the pages and corresponding menus are looking fine in every language. The only functionality I am missing is having the language switcher included in my (sticky) header menu so that my visitors can swap easily between languages.
In this case, I would like to take a closer look at the site to check the configuration and reproduce the issue. I have set your next message private so you can securely share the access credentials.
Please, don't forget to create a full backup of the site before sharing the access credentials.
Hi David,
Thank you very much for sharing these credentials.
I was able to reproduce the issue and now I need to run some tests on the site to isolate the cause of the problem. Could you create a staging site with a copy of the production site so I can run the tests without affecting the published site?
You can ask your hosting providers to create a staging site for you, or you could use a plugin like WP Staging.
I have set your next message private so you can securely share the access credentials to the staging site.
I have desactivated the Groovy Menu plugin which was giving a fatal error, my site is now working again with no menu.
My understanding is that you have modified some of the plugin files, correct ?
Can I continue developing my website or do I need to wait for your go ?
Is is better to restart from a clean installation (...backup mode, in such case I might lose the most recent work...) or will you 'repair' the Groovy Menu plugin at the end of troubleshooting (...which will allow me to continue website development...) ?
Hi David,
Thank you very much for creating the staging site.
I'm currently working on the staging site. The fatal error on the production site comes from the Groovy Menu plugin, so I recommend contacting their support service and ask them how to solve it.
I have followed these steps on the staging site and the issue disappeared:
- Updated the outdated theme and plugin
- Flushed the cache memory
- Deactivated all plugins, including the WPML ones
- Activated the WPML plugins
- Added the language switcher in WPML -> Languages
- Activated the plugins again
- Now the language switcher stays in the menu
Could you confirm that the issue is solved on the staging site?
Hi Carlos,
Many thanks for your feedback - Staging site is now indeed working properly, exactly as I wanted.
I am a little bit worried that you mentioned an update of the Bellevue theme.
I thought I was working with the latest version. Using a child theme though, it can be that some plugins -like woocomerce- are still pointing out outdated files in the child theme, but a priori the main Bellevue theme should at least be ok - unless they released a new version in the last couple of days...
How to get the same results on my published site now - using the same methodology as you did ?
One again, many thanks for the great support !
Cheers,
David
