Translations Don't Appear in WordPress
⏱ 2 minLast updated: —
Checklist
- 1Both .po AND .mo files are uploaded
- 2Files are in the correct directory (/languages/plugins/ or /languages/themes/)
- 3File naming matches: {text-domain}-{locale}.po
- 4WordPress site language is set correctly (Settings → General)
- 5Cache cleared (if using a caching plugin)
⚠️Warning: File Name MUST Match Your Text-Domain
my-plugin-de_DE.po is correct. my-plugin-de.po will NOT work.
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Missing .mo file | WordPress reads .mo, not .po — compile or download .mo |
| Wrong file name | Use {text-domain}-{locale}.po exactly |
| Wrong directory | Plugins in /languages/plugins/, themes in /languages/themes/ |
| Cache not cleared | Purge all caches including object cache |
How to Verify
Install the "Loco Translate" plugin to inspect loaded translations, or check the WordPress debug log.
Was this article helpful?