Troubleshoot software translations

Use this guide when Translations → Software translations cannot load a catalog, an edit disappears, or WordPress continues to show the source message.

The tab is unavailable

Software catalog management is restricted to site administrators with manage_options, or to super administrators on multisite. Also confirm that POM Translate has at least one additional language to use as the target locale.

No strings can be loaded

If POM Translate reports that no POT, PO, or MO file could be found:

1. Confirm the exact Text domain. Use default only for WordPress core.
2. Activate the relevant theme or plugin so WordPress loads its domain and base path.
3. Check that the product actually ships a POT, PO, or MO catalog.
4. Try the domain even if it is absent from the suggestions; suggestions reflect domains loaded in the current administration request.
5. Confirm that the selected locale is valid and enabled.

POM Translate does not scan source code. A gettext call in PHP is not enough without discoverable catalog data.

An invalid PO or MO file must be repaired or replaced before its entries can be loaded.

Existing translations are missing

Review the Translation file summary. POM Translate overlays an exact target-locale catalog on the source entries and prefers PO over MO when both are found. Entries match by source text, plural text, and gettext context; changed source copy or context creates a different entry.

Edits disappeared

Software edits are not stored in the POM Translate database. Manual changes and POM AI results live in the current page until you select Download PO or Download MO.

Reloading, changing the locale or domain, closing the tab, or navigating away can discard unexported work.

WordPress still shows the original

Check all of the following:

• the MO file, not only the PO file, is installed;
• its full basename matches the recommended destination;
• it is in the correct plugin, theme, or core language directory;
• the request uses the target WordPress locale;
• the relevant product loads that text domain on the tested request;
• the message's gettext context and plural form match the translated entry;
• page, object, opcode, and translation caches have been refreshed.

Plugin or theme updates can replace files stored inside the product. Prefer a displayed global WordPress language path when suitable.

A POM AI result is incomplete

Batch translation fills only empty fields and does not overwrite existing text. Stop affects future batches, not necessarily the request already running. Translate any remaining plural form manually and review placeholders such as %s, %1$s, %d, {name}, and allowed HTML before exporting.

For settings or other database-backed values, troubleshoot under registered strings, not this file-backed workflow.