Why Are All Flags Showing in GTranslate? Troubleshooting Common Display Issues

If you're using the 'Translate WordPress with GTranslate' plugin and suddenly see a vertical list of all country flags instead of just the ones you selected, you're not alone. This is a common issue reported by many users. This guide will explain why it happens and walk you through the most effective solutions to fix it.

What is the "All Flags" Display Problem?

This issue typically manifests in one of two ways:

• Brief Flash on Load: A vertical stack of every flag appears for a split second as the page loads before the correct widget renders.
• Persistent Display: The full list of flags remains visible on the page, often overlapping other content and breaking the site's layout.

Why Does This Happen?

Based on extensive community reports, the root cause is almost always the same: a conflict with an optimization or caching plugin. The 'Translate WordPress with GTranslate' plugin relies on specific JavaScript code to function correctly. When other plugins "optimize" this code—by minifying it, delaying its loading, or altering its attributes—the script can break. This prevents it from correctly hiding the unused flags and displaying only your chosen languages.

Common plugins known to cause this conflict include:

• LiteSpeed Cache
• Cloudways Breeze
• WP Rocket
• Other caching and asset optimization tools

How to Troubleshoot and Fix the Issue

Follow these steps to identify and resolve the conflict.

Step 1: Disable Caching/Optimization Plugins

The first and most critical step is to test if a caching plugin is the culprit.

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins.
3. Temporarily deactivate your caching or optimization plugin (e.g., LiteSpeed Cache, W3 Total Cache, Autoptimize).
4. Clear your browser cache and then view your site in an incognito/private window.

Result: If the flags now display correctly, you have confirmed the issue is with your caching plugin. Proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Configure Your Caching Plugin

You don't necessarily have to leave your caching plugin off. Instead, configure it to exclude the GTranslate scripts from its optimization processes. The exact setting names vary by plugin, but look for options like:

• Exclude JavaScript: Add the GTranslate script to an exclusion list. You may need to enter a string like gtranslate or gt_widget.
• Delay JavaScript Execution: If using this feature, ensure GTranslate scripts are not delayed.
• CDN Option: The GTranslate team has suggested that turning on the CDN option within the GTranslate settings can sometimes help bypass these conflicts.

If you are unsure how to configure these settings, you will need to contact the support team for your specific caching plugin, as they can provide exact instructions.

Step 3: Check for Theme Builder Conflicts

Some users, particularly those using page builders like Oxygen or Divi, have reported this issue appearing within the builder's editing interface. This is usually a separate problem from the public-facing site.

• If the problem only occurs while editing and not on the live frontend, it may be a known compatibility issue that requires an update from the GTranslate team or the page builder developers.

Step 4: Clear All Caches

After making any changes, it is crucial to clear all relevant caches:

• Your caching plugin's cache
• Your browser cache
• Any server-level or CDN caches (e.g., Cloudflare)

Summary

The frustrating appearance of all flags is almost always a JavaScript conflict caused by an over-zealous caching plugin. The solution is not to remove GTranslate or your cache plugin, but to properly configure them to work together by excluding the GTranslate scripts from specific optimizations.