Machine Translation (MT)
Common issues and solutions when using machine translation services in VNTranslator.
How do I quickly test if machine translation is working?
The easiest way to test if machine translation is working is by using the Clipboard feature. This feature automatically translates any text you copy to your clipboard.
To test:
Copy any text to your clipboard
The translation will appear instantly in the Extra Window
If you see the translation appear, machine translation is working correctly.
What is a translation timeout?
A translation timeout occurs when VNTranslator cannot retrieve a translation within the specified time limit. This is most common when using web-based translation services.
How it works:
VNTranslator opens a virtual browser window and navigates to the translation website
The text is submitted either by:
Entering it directly into the translation input field, or
Including it in the URL
VNTranslator continuously searches for the translated text in the page's HTML elements
If the translation is not found within the timeout period (default: 10 seconds), a timeout error occurs
What causes translation timeouts?
Translation timeouts can occur due to several reasons:
Service-related issues:
Website structure has changed (translation service updated their layout)
Website is under maintenance or temporarily unavailable
CAPTCHA verification is required
Cookie consent banner is blocking content
Free usage limit reached
Connection issues:
Unstable or slow internet connection
Your IP address has been blocked or rate-limited by the service
Too many translation requests sent in a short time
Browser issues:
Virtual browser fails to load the page correctly
JavaScript elements not loading properly
How do I fix translation timeout errors for web-based services?
Quick fixes to try first:
Check your internet connection - Ensure you have a stable connection
Switch translation services - Try a different service (e.g., from DeepL Web to Google Web)
Increase timeout duration - Go to Settings -> Translation -> Advanced Settings
Use a VPN - This can help if your IP is rate-limited or blocked
Clear cookies & site data
For detailed troubleshooting steps, please refer to Web Scraping Timeout.
How do I fix API errors?
API errors are usually easier to diagnose because they provide specific error codes.
Common API issues:
Invalid or expired API key
Insufficient API credits or quota exceeded
Incorrect API endpoint or configuration
Network or authentication issues
Quick fixes:
Verify your API key - Check if it's entered correctly in Service Settings
Check API credits - Log in to your API provider's dashboard to verify remaining credits
Test the connection - Use the Clipboard feature to test if the API is responding
Review the error code - Check the specific error code documentation for your service
Translation service error code references:
Why does my translation stop working after a while?
For web-based services:
This usually happens due to rate limiting or reaching free usage limits.
Solutions:
Clear cookies and restart the translation
Wait for 15-30 minutes before trying again
Use a VPN to get a different IP address
Switch to a different translation service
Consider upgrading to an API-based service
For API-based services:
Check your API usage dashboard:
You may have reached your daily/monthly quota
Your API key might have expired
Payment issues with your API provider
The virtual browser window shows the translation, but VNTranslator still shows TIMEOUT. Why?
This typically indicates that the translation website has updated its structure, and VNTranslator can no longer find the correct HTML elements.
What to do:
Check for Translation Service updates in Settings -> Translation Services -> Updates (PRO version)
Check the #custom-mt channel on Discord for updates (NEO version)
Report the issue in the #report-an-issue channel on Discord
Use an alternative service temporarily while waiting for an update
How do I check if the issue is with VNTranslator or the translation service itself?
Test the translation service directly:
Open the translation service website in your regular browser
Try translating the same text manually
If it works in your browser but not in VNTranslator, the issue is with VNTranslator
If it doesn't work in your browser either, the service itself is having problems
Check service status:
DeepL API: status.deepl.com
Gemini API: https://aistudio.google.com/status
OpenAI API: status.openai.com
Should I use "Detect Language" as my source language?
While the "Detect Language" option is available, it's not recommended as it may cause compatibility issues in some updates. It's better to manually select your source language for more reliable results.