Translations not showing in checkout
In short
Usually the translation was never saved with Save Translation, or the checkout isn't actually in that language. Open the block, pick the language tab and check it doesn't show No translation or Unsaved. Then open checkout in that language: buyers in an untranslated language see the default.
✓ Applies to
- Advanced and Deluxe plans
- Stores with more than one published language
✕ Doesn't apply to
- Shopify's own checkout text, which Shopify translates
- Blocks that don't show at all in any language
Work through these causes in order. They’re sorted from most to least common.
The translation wasn’t saved
Translations have their own Save Translation button above the builder. The page’s Save doesn’t save translations.
Check: open the block, click the language tab and look at the badges next to the tabs. No translation means nothing is saved for that language. Unsaved means there are edits you haven’t saved.
Fix: make your edits in that tab and click Save Translation. If the language has no translation yet, start with Copy from Default.
The checkout isn’t in that language
The block shows the translation for the checkout’s language, not the buyer’s country or market.
Check: open checkout and look at Shopify’s own labels, such as the email and address fields. If they’re in the default language, the checkout is too.
Fix: open checkout through the store’s language selector or the language’s domain or subfolder, then test again.
The default-language block changed after you translated it
Each language stores its own full copy of the block’s content. Changes to the default language, such as a new block type, new text or a new product, don’t reach existing translations.
Check: compare the language tab with the default tab block by block.
Fix: make the same changes in each language tab and click Save Translation for each.
A block type is Inactive in that language
You can hide block types per language. A block type marked Inactive in a language tab doesn’t show for that language, even if it’s Active in the default.
Check: in the language tab, look at each block type’s Active / Inactive badge.
Fix: turn the block type back on with its visibility toggle and click Save Translation.
The language isn’t published, or there’s only one
Language tabs only show when your store has more than one published language. A language that isn’t published has no tab to translate.
Check: Settings > Languages in your Shopify admin. The link “To add more languages, go to Settings > Languages” above the tabs takes you there.
Fix: publish the language, reload the block, and translate it.
Translations aren’t in your plan
Without Multi-Language Translation in your plan, the tabs are replaced by a locked Multi-Language Translation card with Upgrade to Unlock.
Check: look for that card above the builder.
Fix: upgrade from Billing. See plans and features.
Your language is a regional variant
At checkout, Checkout Ninja looks up the block translation by the base language code. A buyer in fr-CA gets the fr translation. If a language is published in Shopify only as a regional variant, such as Portuguese (Brazil), its translation may not be found, and buyers see the default language.
Check: the language’s code in Settings > Languages.
Fix: contact Checkout Ninja support with the language code.
Upsell blocks with Manage translations on individual fields work differently. Those fields fall back to the base language, then to English, when the buyer’s language has no text.
Frequently asked
Do I need to save the whole block after translating? +
No. Save Translation saves that language on its own. The page's Save only saves the default language.
Buyers in Canada see English, not my French translation. Why? +
The block follows the checkout's language, not the country. A buyer checking out in fr-CA sees your fr translation. A buyer in Canada checking out in English sees English.
Why is my translation missing a block type I added? +
Each language keeps its own copy of the block's content. Block types you add to the default language later aren't added to translations. Add them in each language tab.