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

Problem:
If you're experiencing issues where the language switcher does not work for a specific language, such as German, and navigating from the Dutch homepage to the German homepage results in a 404 'nothing found' error, while the direct URL (e.g., https://hpstaal.nl/de/home) loads fine, the problem might be related to your WordPress reading settings.
Solution:
We recommend checking your WordPress reading settings. Specifically, ensure that 'Your homepage displays' is set to show a static page instead of 'Your latest posts'. You can find this setting under WordPress Reading Settings. Set it to display the 'Home' page as the static page.

If this solution does not resolve your issue, or if it seems outdated or not applicable to your case, we highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent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. Additionally, you can open a new support ticket for further assistance at WPML Support Forum.

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This topic contains 3 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Sietse 3 weeks, 3 days ago.

Assisted by: Bruno Kos.

Author Posts
December 3, 2024 at 2:05 pm #16472246

Sietse

Background of the issue:
I am trying to resolve a translation issue on my website, which supports Dutch, English, and German. The language switcher works for Dutch and English, but not for German. I need assistance to fix this. The issue can be seen at: hidden link

Symptoms:
The German homepage (so from Dutch home > German home) gives a 404 'nothing found' error, while hidden link loads fine.

Questions:
Why is the German language switcher not working on the homepage?
What settings might be missing or incorrect for the German translation?

December 3, 2024 at 3:27 pm #16472744

Bruno Kos
Supporter

Languages: English (English ) German (Deutsch ) French (Français )

Timezone: Europe/Zagreb (GMT+01:00)

Hi,

Thank you for contacting WPML support!

If you open original home page in the backend and switch to German through the top bar, is there a page, does this German translation exist? If so, is it published?

Regards,
Bruno Kos

switch.jpg
December 3, 2024 at 3:35 pm #16472794

Sietse

Hi Bruno,

When I go to the original homepage, the page is published and existing.

Kind regards,
Joost

Scherm­afbeelding 2024-12-03 om 16.35.04.jpeg
December 3, 2024 at 3:54 pm #16472880

Bruno Kos
Supporter

Languages: English (English ) German (Deutsch ) French (Français )

Timezone: Europe/Zagreb (GMT+01:00)

Would you be willing to provide me with WordPress credentials so I could investigate the issue directly?

https://wpml.org/purchase/support-policy/privacy-and-security-when-providing-debug-information-for-support/

I marked your next reply as private so that you can safely add credentials.

December 4, 2024 at 9:39 am #16475472

Bruno Kos
Supporter

Languages: English (English ) German (Deutsch ) French (Français )

Timezone: Europe/Zagreb (GMT+01:00)

Can you check now? hidden link seems to be working now.

I think the issue was that "Your homepage displays" was set to "Your latest posts"
hidden link

I set it to show static page "Home".

December 4, 2024 at 9:44 am #16475489

Sietse

Hi Bruno, thanks that fixed the issue. Weird that those settings did not go through with the german translation. Do you have any idea how we can 'sync' these settings?

Thank you for your assistance.

Kind regards,
Joost

December 4, 2024 at 12:35 pm #16476596

Bruno Kos
Supporter

Languages: English (English ) German (Deutsch ) French (Français )

Timezone: Europe/Zagreb (GMT+01:00)

This only needs to be done on the original language and then WPML synchronizes this setting across other languages.

December 4, 2024 at 12:39 pm #16476630

Sietse

Thanks Bruno! Will take a look into it. Thanks for the support!