Fatal error when using WPML

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

Problem:
You are experiencing a fatal error after installing WPML on your site running PHP 8.1, WordPress, and Bricks with the latest update.
Solution:
If you're encountering this issue, we recommend you try the following steps:
1. Navigate to the file located at:

wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/classes/ICL-20-migration/ui/class-wpml-tm-icl20-migration-notices.php

and go to line 169.
2. Open the

class-wpml-tm-icl20-migration-notices.php

file and change "private" to "public" on line 169. It should read:

public function build_migration_required() {

3. Log in to your site, activate the WPML plugin, and complete the setup process.
4. Go to WPML → Translation Management → Translators and deactivate the old translation service.
5. Then, navigate to WPML → Support → Troubleshooting and perform the following actions:
- Select "Reset professional translation state."
- If there are no translations available, choose "Reset and deactivate WPML."
After completing these steps, you should be able to activate WPML and set it up without encountering any errors in the future.

Please note that this solution might be irrelevant if it’s outdated or not applicable to your case.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 the issue persists, please open a new support ticket at WPML support forum.

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

Everyone can read, but only WPML clients can post here. WPML team is replying on the forum 6 days per week, 22 hours per day.

Tagged: Exception

This topic contains 2 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Andrey 3 months, 1 week ago.

Assisted by: Andrey.

Author	Posts
April 29, 2025 at 4:19 am #16977076
Cristian Manzur	Background of the issue: I am trying to use WPML on my site hidden link, which is running PHP 8.1, WordPress, Bricks, and WPML with the latest update. After installing WPML, I encountered an error. Symptoms: Fatal error when using WPML. Here's the screenshot: hidden link Questions: How can I fix the fatal error after installing WPML?
April 29, 2025 at 1:47 pm #16979633
Andrey WPML Supporter since 06/2013 Languages: English (English ) Russian (Русский ) Timezone: Europe/Kyiv (GMT+03:00)	Thank you for contacting WPML support. If you have just activated WPML but have no translations yet, I suggest resetting WPML and reconfiguring it. 1. Go to WPML → Support and click the Troubleshooting link. 2. In the Reset section of the Troubleshooting page, select the I am about to reset all translation and language data checkbox. Then, click the Reset and deactivate WPML button. https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/language-setup/deleting-languages-and-plugin-data-by-doing-a-wpml-reset-on-your-site/#step-3-do-the-wpml-reset But before doing this, go to WPML → Translation Management → Translators and deactivate the old translation service (if activated). Then, navigate to WPML → Support → Troubleshooting and perform the following actions: Select "Reset professional translation state." Before making any changes, please ensure that you back up your database first.
April 29, 2025 at 2:04 pm #16979667
Cristian Manzur	There's nothing I can do, just activate and get that fatal error. Can I send you login (other site, same server) so that you can try to activate by yourself to see what happens?
April 29, 2025 at 2:10 pm #16979712
Andrey WPML Supporter since 06/2013 Languages: English (English ) Russian (Русский ) Timezone: Europe/Kyiv (GMT+03:00)	Thank you for your feedback. I need to request temporary access (wp-admin and FTP) to your site—preferably to a test site where the problem has been replicated if possible—in order to be of better help. When you log in to leave your next reply, you will find the needed fields below the comment area. The information you will enter is private, meaning only you and I can see and access it.
April 29, 2025 at 3:50 pm #16980187
Andrey WPML Supporter since 06/2013 Languages: English (English ) Russian (Русский ) Timezone: Europe/Kyiv (GMT+03:00)	Thank you for the details. It should be fine now. Basically, I followed the same steps as explained here: https://wpml.org/forums/topic/fatal-error-when-activating-wpml-13/#post-16622530
April 29, 2025 at 4:23 pm #16980259
Cristian Manzur	Could you please share the public link with me? it's private and I can't read it. hidden link
April 29, 2025 at 7:54 pm #16980959
Andrey WPML Supporter since 06/2013 Languages: English (English ) Russian (Русский ) Timezone: Europe/Kyiv (GMT+03:00)	Yes, sure. I will post it here. Here’s a step-by-step outline to resolve this issue: 1. Navigate to the file located at: `wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms/classes/ICL-20-migration/ui/class-wpml-tm-icl20-migration-notices.php` and go to line 169. 2. Open the `class-wpml-tm-icl20-migration-notices.php` file and change "private" to "public" on line 169. It should read: public function build_migration_required() { 3. Log in to your site, activate the WPML plugin, and complete the setup process. 4. Go to WPML → Translation Management → Translators and deactivate the old translation service. 5. Then, navigate to WPML → Support → Troubleshooting and perform the following actions: - Select "Reset professional translation state." - If there are no translations available, choose "Reset and deactivate WPML." After completing these steps, you should be able to activate WPML and set it up without encountering any errors in the future.