Discord bot not translating? 7 quick fixes

1. Translation isn't enabled on the server

Problem: Inline translation stays off until a server admin turns it on. This is the usual cause right after Talksy joins.

Solution: Click ⚡ Set up on Talksy's welcome message and pick your channels, or have an admin run:

/server enable

Requires the Manage Server permission.

2. The channel isn't on Talksy's list

Problem: Talksy only translates inline in channels an admin has added.

Solution: Add each channel where translation should run:

/server channel add channel:#general

See which channels are enabled with /server settings

3. The member hasn't picked a language

Problem: Inline translation is opt-in, per member and per server. Nobody is translated until they choose a language themselves, and admins can't do it for them.

Solution: Each member who wants their messages translated runs this once in the server:

/talksy language:spanish

Run it without options to check your current settings: /talksy

4. Talksy is missing permissions

Problem: Talksy posts translations through a webhook, as the original speaker, so it needs these permissions in the channel:

• View Channel and Read Message History
• Send Messages
• Manage Webhooks (for inline translations)
• Add Reactions and Embed Links

Solution: Check the channel's permission overrides for the Talksy role, or go to Server Settings → Integrations → Talksy.

5. The monthly limit is reached

Problem: The free plan includes, per member each month, 100 inline translations, 100 /translate and right-click translations, and 50 flag-reaction translations. Counters reset on the 1st.

Solution: Wait for the reset, vote for Talksy on top.gg to reset your counters now, or upgrade to Pro for unlimited translations.

See plans

6. The message didn't need translating

Problem: Talksy skips a message when there is nothing to translate.

Solution: This is intentional. A message is skipped when:

• It is already in the member's chosen language
• It is a variant of the same language (for example en-US and en-GB)
• It only contains links, numbers or mentions

To translate one anyway, react with a flag emoji or use:

/translate text:your text to:english

7. Flag reactions are turned off

Problem: Admins can switch flag-reaction translation off for a server. When it's off, reacting with a flag does nothing.

Solution: An admin can turn it back on with:

/server flag-reactions enable

Quick command reference