Unable to select my target language in language pairs

Ever since I activated my license on another computer, I haven't been able to set up the language pair I'm working on. This generates a "the object reference is not set to an object instance" message.

I've tried to follow the following step described in the community threads:

**Step 1:** Ensure that your target language is set correctly.

- Open Trados Studio.

- Go to **File > Options > Editor > Languages**.

… but I cannot find my language in the list (the list is not complete).

Could you please help ?

Thank you,

Audrey



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[edited by: Audrey Mouysset at 3:11 PM (GMT 1) on 16 Jun 2026]
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  • Hello Audrey,

    It seems like you're encountering an issue with incomplete language pairs in Trados Studio after activating your license on a new computer. Let me guide you through the steps to resolve this:

    ### Step 1: Verify Installed Language Packs

    1. **Check Language Packs**: Ensure that the language packs for your desired language pair are installed. Navigate to the installation directory, typically located at:

      - `C:\Program Files (x86)\SDL\SDL Trados Studio\Languages`

      - If the required language pack is missing, proceed to Step 2.

    ### Step 2: Reinstall Trados Studio with Correct Language Packs

    1. **Uninstall Trados Studio**:

      - Go to your computer's Control Panel and uninstall Trados Studio.

    2. **Reinstall Trados Studio**:

      - During the installation process, ensure you select the correct languages you need for your work. This step is crucial as the selected languages determine the available language pairs.

    ### Step 3: Reset User Settings

    1. **Use Trados FreshStart**:

      - Download and run the Trados FreshStart app from the RWS AppStore. This tool resets your user settings and can resolve configuration issues.

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  • Hi ,

    Please also mention what Trados version you are working on when you post and ask for advice, because some older versions of Trados Freelance - like the 2019 I can see in your account, need to have the 5 language pairs selected when you install Trados and you cannot work with other pairs if those are not added at the beginning of setting up Trados. If you did not select the correct target language when you firstly installed and setup Trados, you won't be able to select it from the dropdown.

    Please check here how to change them:

     https://community.rws.com/product-groups/trados-portfolio/trados-studio/w/customer-experience/5203/changing-the-installed-languages-trados-studio-2019-freelance-or-earlier-versions-only 

    Best regards,

    Anca

    Anca Stoian RWS Group

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  • Thanks a lot, Anca, and apologies for the multiple posting which was not intentional Confounded

    I'm using SDL Trados 2019. Could you please share a link to edit the Windows Registry for Windows 11 (Family version)?

    Thanks a million,

    Audrey

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  • Hi ,

    In Trados 2019 Freelance you can only work with five languages. 

    The regix for Windows 11 is similar to Windows 10, so you can follow the steps in the article above and you can rename the key from the registry under HKEY CURRENT USER.

    If you do not want to make changes there, you can change your language selection also this way: return the license (deactivate), uninstall and reinstall, then activate your license again. This will take you back to the language selection window.

    Also, please keep in mind that Trados 2019 was not tested and it is not supported on Windows 11, so you can expect Trados to throw unusual behaviour. The technical and engineering support for it stopped in December 31, 2022.

    When using it on Windows 11 we advise to use offline activation/deactivation.

    Best regards,

    Anca

    Anca Stoian RWS Group

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