Language Translation Errors

This article explains how to fix language translation errors on your WordPress website.

Check Your Translation Plugin Settings

Most translation errors happen because plugins aren't set up correctly. Log into your WordPress admin dashboard and find your translation plugin (usually WPML, Polylang, or TranslatePress).

Go to the plugin's settings page. Check that:

• Your primary language is set correctly (usually English for Irish businesses)
• Secondary languages are active
• All pages are assigned to the correct language
• Translation method is set to "manual" if you want control over translations

Fix Missing Translation Files

Sometimes WordPress can't find the translation files it needs. Go to your WordPress admin area and click "Updates". Look for translation updates and install them.

If that doesn't work, go to "Settings" then "General". Change your site language to English, save it, then change it back to your preferred language. This forces WordPress to download fresh translation files.

Clear Translation Cache

Translation plugins store cached versions of your translated content. When you make changes, the cache might show old versions.

Look for a "Cache" or "Tools" section in your translation plugin. Click "Clear Cache" or "Regenerate". If you can't find this option, try deactivating and reactivating your translation plugin.

Check Theme Translation Support

Some WordPress themes don't support translations properly. Go to "Appearance" then "Themes". Check your active theme's description - it should mention "translation ready" or "multilingual support".

If your theme doesn't support translations, you'll need to switch to one that does or ask someone technical to add translation support.

Fix Plugin Conflicts

Translation errors often happen when plugins don't work well together. Try this test:

1. Go to "Plugins" in your WordPress admin
2. Deactivate all plugins except your translation plugin
3. Check if translations work correctly
4. Reactivate plugins one by one until the error returns
5. The last plugin you activated is causing the conflict

For more detailed help with plugin conflicts, see our guide on plugin conflicts and resolution.

Update Your Translation Plugin

Outdated translation plugins cause many errors. Go to "Plugins" and look for update notifications next to your translation plugin. Click "Update Now".

After updating, check your translation settings again as updates sometimes reset configurations.

Fix Database Translation Errors

If text appears in the wrong language randomly, your database might have mixed language entries. This happens when you change translation settings after adding content.

Go to your translation plugin's settings and look for "Tools" or "Maintenance". Run any "Fix database" or "Repair translations" tools available.

Test Your Translations

After making changes:

• Visit your website in different languages
• Check navigation menus translate correctly
• Verify contact forms work in all languages
• Test that URLs change properly between languages

If you're building a multilingual website from scratch, our guide to building multi-language websites covers the complete setup process.

If you're still stuck with translation errors after trying these steps, contact Web60 support with details about which specific text isn't translating correctly and what translation plugin you're using.

FAQ

Q: Why is only some of my website translating?

A: Your theme or plugins might not be translation-ready. Check that your theme supports translations and update any plugins that handle text display.

Q: My menus are showing in English when they should be in Irish

A: Go to your translation plugin settings and make sure menu translations are enabled. You might need to create separate menus for each language.

Q: Contact forms aren't translating - what's wrong?

A: Contact form plugins often need separate translation setup. Check your form plugin's language settings or create different forms for each language.

Q: Can I translate my website automatically?

A: Yes, but automatic translations are often poor quality. Manual translation gives better results for business websites where accuracy matters.

Q: Why do my URLs still show English when viewing the Irish version?

A: Your translation plugin needs to be set up for URL translation. Look for "slug translation" or "URL translation" in your plugin settings.

Q: Some text shows code instead of translations

A: This happens when translation files are corrupted. Try clearing your translation cache and updating your translation files through WordPress Updates.

Q: Do I need a separate domain for each language?

A: No, most translation plugins can handle multiple languages on one domain using subfolders (like /ga/ for Irish) or subdomains.