Checkout process fails at email stage

I have version 2.2.2 Zen Cart installed using PHP 8.2 on linux. Everything has been working fine but this week a problem has arisen on checkout which times out. Although the order is raised ok, no emails are sent and a http 500 error occurs. Products remain in the customers cart.

Email is working fine on other processes.

I have email archive installed and I have also installed, then uninstalled Preview Email [encapsulated].
Any ideas please?

Debug log message:
[03-Oct-2026 10:56:33 UTC] PHP Fatal error: Maximum execution time of 30 seconds exceeded in /var/www/vhosts/xxxxxxxxx.co.uk/httpdocs/includes/functions/functions_email.php on line 190

[03-Oct-2026 10:56:33 UTC] Request URI: /index.php?main_page=checkout_process, IP address: XX.104.105.33
--> PHP Fatal error: Maximum execution time of 30 seconds exceeded in /var/www/vhosts/xxxxxxxxx.co.uk/httpdocs/includes/functions/functions_email.php on line 190.

[03-Oct-2026 10:56:33 UTC] Request URI: /index.php?main_page=checkout_process, IP address:XX.104.105.33
--> PHP Fatal error: Maximum execution time of 30 seconds exceeded in /var/www/vhosts/xxxxxxxxx.co.uk/httpdocs/includes/functions/functions_email.php on line 190.

i would ensure that this file is the same as the one on your server:

https://github.com/zencart/zencart/blob/v2.2.2/includes/functions/functions_email.php#L190

and then i would find and post the value for the key:

CURRENCIES_TRANSLATIONS

here.

you can find that key value using the developers tool kit or by going:

admin => configuration => email => Convert currencies for Text emails

you look to be caught in an infinite loop.

best.

Thank you carlwhat. I checked as you suggested and everything seemed ok but it still looped. For some reason, if I put

£ £

as the conversion setting and saved it, it immediately changed onscreen to

£, £

I made sure the database configuration table was as I had input (it had £, £ in the database before) and I now get emails again.

Thank you again

The code fix for this issue has been added to the next release. Here's the PR:

https://github.com/zencart/zencart/pull/7950