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[Resolved] Updating older version (4.3.15) of WPML + WooCommerce Multilingual safely.
This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.
Problem: The client is attempting to update an older version of WPML (4.3.15) on a large WooCommerce site and is concerned about potential issues such as site crashes during the update process. They are also inquiring about the best approach to update WPML and its related add-ons like WooCommerce Multilingual, WPML String Translation, and WPML Translation Management.
Solution: We recommend a gradual update process to minimize risks: 1. Temporarily deactivate all WPML add-ons. 2. Deactivate and delete the main WPML plugin. 3. Gradually update WPML by downloading and installing intermediate versions in this order: 4.3.15, 4.4.7, 4.5.0, 4.6.0, and finally 4.7.3. You can find these versions in the WPML changelog at WPML Changelog. 4. Once updated to WPML 4.7.3, delete the outdated add-ons and download the necessary ones from the Plugins->Add new->Commercial tab. 5. Note that WPML Translation Management is no longer required and won't be available for download.
If you encounter issues or this solution does not apply due to updates or specific circumstances, please check related known issues at WPML Known Issues, verify the version of the permanent fix, and ensure you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. If problems persist, we highly recommend opening a new support ticket at WPML Support Forum for further assistance.
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I am trying to update older version of WPML (4.3.15) on a large WooCommerce site, where other components are up-to-date (I CAN roll them back about a 6-12 months, if needed, though, but not much older).
The VPS/hosting is in very good technical state, CPU and RAM being stronger than needed to handle traffic spikes etc.
The website is in good technical shape as well, other than the older WPML version.
Symptoms:
I presume there will be issues if I just try to jump update this and that it will crash the site, as I have tried in the past.
Questions:
1)
Is there any recommended solution to "gradually update"?
Eg. to download just closest major version to our, update that, let WPML update database, then update to next major version, and so on?
Shall I first update WPML (and TURN OFF other WPML plugins (see below please))?
2)
I have also WooCommerce Multilingual (4.9.0) + WPML String Translation (3.0.11) and WPML Translation Management (2.9.8). I know that in recent WPML versions, String Translation/Translation Management have been integrated into WPML.
Should I delete them after/before updating the main WPML?
Will they get overwritten by themselves?
SUMMARY:
I would very much prefer "safe and slow" update route, the website is around 60+ GB in size, has 7K+ products, 3 languages etc. - of course we have staging copy of the website, with backups, ready for this.
Please let me know if I have forgotten to mention anything important.
And thank you for your time assisting with this - I realize this is duplicate to an extent with existing threads (which I DID read).
But sadly some of the older threads (I have read them a year ago) are not visible anymore (404 pages)...
thank you for thorough step-by-step and kind attitude, I really appreciate your help!
I will try the steps tomorrow and let you know the results.
It is also reassuring to hear that the past problems are probably solved now when "jumping" versions.
Does that mean I should even try to jump update?
If so, shall I turn off all add-ons (WooCommerce Multilingual etc.) except WPML, update the main WPML plugin and then the rest would be as you proposed, aka:
"delete the add-ons and go to Plugins->Add new->Commercial tab and download the ones you need from there."
?
Anyway, thank you again for your time and help, I am actually looking forward to what I was dreading before. 🙂
You can try if you want to do a "jump" upgrade, worst case scenario is that you will need to access the file manager (typically via FTP) and delete the WPML plugin folder in wp-content/plugins/sitepress-multilingual-cms
OR you can do a slight jump.
4.50 -> 4.7.3
Also, do note that WPML has changed it's UI since 4.3.15.
I'd still deactivate all add-ons until the main is updated and then either trying to do them after.
NOTE: Deleting the plugins does not cause your work to be lost but we do highly recommend having a backup in place to always be safe.
your solution was excellent! It seems it all works, which is just superb. In the past, we just could not get past those updates without a crash. So, kudos to you - thanks!
However, sadly, new issue occured - in the past our product translations worked correctly, and now they do not, giving "Too many redirects" error.
I have troubleshooted this for 5+ hours today to not waste support time. The issue is totally similar, word for word to this one:
Again, I understand cross-topic tickets are not best for anyone, but I thought I would ask anyway, since we have already built rapport together and you helped us.
Thank you for your help and please let me know how to proceed.
New threads created by Bobby and linked to this one are listed below:
Thank you for updating me and I am glad to hear that the update worked well.
Regarding the issue you are experiencing with WCML, are you positive it is the same issue as listed on that ticket?
If yes, that is a known issue that has been escalated to our dev team -- we are still working on a permanent solution and at the moment there is the workaround, which sounds like you used already?
Would it be possible for me to take a closer look in the backend? I will split the ticket into it's own and open a private reply.
thank you for your help! I am also super glad the updates went well! This is a big development level-up you guys have made. 🙂
Regarding the issue, of course, I might be wrong. Waqas (your colleague from the ticket) told me that each site is unique and configs might vary, which I agree with.
I have used the workaround just like you have said, to no avail.
***
However, I have discovered that duplicating the product via eg. Translation Management does the trick - it stops giving "Too Many Redirects" on products I have "translated" by copying them. However, duplicating, in our case, almost 9000 products, even if in batches of 100 products (WPML/Translation Management lets me clone 100-200 products in one go - though the 200 is clunky to "checklist" and really does not save much time due to that), is painfully slow and not good for production (lot of customers will see the error before we plow through the whole 9K products).
So if there would be some way to batch "duplicate" thousands of products, that would solve our issue as well. However, I have tried DIY scripts, DB queries, everything... and it seems WPML does not like that and simply refuses to clone the products programatically like that. But of course - I might simply be writing a wrong script.
***
Of course, I would gladly provide you with access - please let me know if I shall create you a user (admin privileges, right?) to investigate.
Thank you again for your help and time, Bobby!
Miro
