How to fix html has lang on WooCommerce
Add a valid `lang` attribute to the `<html>` element so browsers and assistive technologies know what language your page is written in.
Steps for WooCommerce
- In your WordPress admin, go to Appearance → Theme File Editor (or use a local code editor / FTP).
- Open your active theme's `header.php` file (child theme recommended — never edit a parent theme directly).
- Locate the `<html` tag. WordPress themes typically use the `language_attributes()` template tag: `<html <?php language_attributes(); ?>>`. If this is already present, WordPress automatically inserts the correct `lang` attribute based on Settings → General → Site Language.
- If the tag is missing `language_attributes()`, add it: `<html <?php language_attributes(); ?>`.
- Go to Settings → General and confirm 'Site Language' is set to your store's primary language — this controls what value `language_attributes()` outputs.
- For multilingual stores using WPML or Polylang, those plugins automatically switch the `lang` value per translated page when `language_attributes()` is used.
- Save changes and verify via View Source.
<html lang="en">What is html has lang?
Every web page starts with an `<html>` tag. The `lang` attribute on that tag (e.g., `<html lang="en">`) declares the primary human language of the page's content. Without it, screen readers, browsers, and translation tools have to guess the language — and they often guess wrong. This is a WCAG 2 Success Criterion 3.1.1 ("Language of Page") requirement, meaning it is part of an internationally recognised accessibility standard.
Screen readers use the `lang` attribute to select the correct voice engine and pronunciation rules — a missing or wrong value means a visually impaired customer hears your product descriptions read aloud in the wrong accent or language, making your store unusable for them. Failing WCAG 3.1.1 is an accessibility violation that can expose your business to legal risk under laws such as the ADA (US), the European Accessibility Act (EU), and the Equality Act (UK). Search engines also use the declared language to correctly index and serve your pages in the right regional search results, so a missing `lang` can quietly hurt your international organic traffic. It is also one of the fastest accessibility wins available — a one-line change that immediately satisfies a legal compliance checkpoint.
See the complete Html has lang guide for every platform and the full background.
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