I tried to translate a menu point with string translations but it doesn`t work

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

Problem:
The client was unable to translate a single menu point using WPML's string translations feature. Despite translating the string "About us", it still displayed in English on the Dutch version of the website.
Solution:
We advised the client to create separate menus for each language as per our guide on translating menus. Additionally, we recommended increasing the WordPress memory limit to at least 128MB, which can be done by adding the following line to the wp-config.php file:

/* Memory Limit */<br />define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '512M');

After these adjustments, the entire menu needed to be translated, not just the single menu item. Once the menu was fully translated, the issue was resolved.

If this solution does not resolve your issue, or if it seems outdated or irrelevant to your case, please check related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verify the version of the permanent fix, and confirm that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. We highly recommend opening a new support ticket at WPML support forum for further assistance.

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Tagged: Documentation request

This topic contains 7 replies, has 1 voice.

Last updated by Carlos Rojas 1 month, 3 weeks ago.

Assisted by: Carlos Rojas.

Author	Posts
July 28, 2025 at 8:16 am #17274043
Thomas Maier	Background of the issue: I am trying to translate a menu point on my website using WPML's string translations feature. Symptoms: The translation of the menu point does not work. Questions:
July 28, 2025 at 11:57 am #17274809
Dražen Supporter Languages: English (English ) Timezone: Europe/Zagreb (GMT+02:00)	Hello, Thanks for contacting us. While you wait for my colleague to take over the ticket, let me try to help you with the issue quickly. Can you please try alternative method and create a separate menu for your 2nd language, please check next guide: - https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/translating-menus/#translate-menus-different-per-language Regards, Drazen
July 28, 2025 at 9:12 pm #17276730
Thomas Maier	I first wanted to do that, but i would prefer to only change this text with the string translations as otherwise i have to maintain the menu in all 3 languages, but it is only this 1 menu point which needs to be translated.
July 29, 2025 at 11:09 am #17278480
Carlos Rojas WPML Supporter since 03/2017 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+02:00)	Hello, My name is Carlos, and I will continue working on this ticket Please increase the WP memory Limit. Minimum requirements are 128Mb: https://wpml.org/home/minimum-requirements/ You can add this to wp-config.php to increase WP memory:` /* Memory Limit / define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '512M'); - Add it above the line / That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */ You can double-check the WordPress memory limit in WPML -> Support Once the WordPress memory limit is increased, translate the custom menu item in String Translation and double-check if the issue has disappeared.
July 30, 2025 at 4:40 pm #17282930
Thomas Maier	Hello Carlos, Hmm i did that, but the issue still persists. It shows me that the string "About us" is translated but it still shows the english text on the dutch website. hidden link. Memory limit is increased as you told me (you can see that in the screenshot). Any idea how to fix this issue and not translate the whole menu? Thank you, Thomas
July 31, 2025 at 7:32 am #17283933
Carlos Rojas WPML Supporter since 03/2017 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+02:00)	Thank you for your message. The whole menu needs to be translated. However, I would like to take a closer look at the site and the issue. Please share the access credentials to the site in your next message, which I have set private.
July 31, 2025 at 7:57 am #17283996
Carlos Rojas WPML Supporter since 03/2017 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+02:00)	Thank you for sharing the credentials requested. The cause of the issue was that the menu itself wasn't translated. I translated it, and now you can see it correctly translated in the frontend. Can you confirm that the issue is solved?
July 31, 2025 at 8:00 am #17283998
Thomas Maier	Yeah alright. But now once i add a menu point i have to do it also in NL and DE. I wanted to translate it without copying the menu. Anyway, let`s see the issue as resolved. Thank you.
July 31, 2025 at 8:15 am #17284015
Carlos Rojas WPML Supporter since 03/2017 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+02:00)	Hi, It is mandatory to translate the menu as described in our documentation: https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/translating-menus/ Translating only one menu item doesn't translate the whole menu; therefore, WPML doesn't have a menu to display in the secondary language. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need our help in the future with WPML. Have an excellent day!