When your Shopify checkout isn’t working, it can be a major headache — not just for you, but for your customers too. Every minute your checkout is down or malfunctioning means lost sales, frustrated shoppers, and potential damage to your store’s reputation.
Whether the “Checkout” button isn’t responding, payment is failing, or the page doesn’t load correctly, this guide will walk you through common causes and step-by-step fixes so you can get back on track and keep your customers converting.
Why Shopify Checkout Issues Happen
There are multiple reasons why Shopify checkout may break. These include:
- App conflicts
- Theme code errors
- Outdated browser or cookies
- Payment gateway misconfiguration
- Shopify server outages
- Country or product restriction issues
- JavaScript errors in custom code
Knowing what you’re dealing with is half the battle. Let’s break down the most common issues and how to solve them.
Start with Shopify Status Page
Before troubleshooting your store, check the Shopify Status Page to see if there are any active incidents affecting checkout or other systems.
· If all systems are operational: the issue is likely with your store setup.
· If there’s a known issue: monitor the page and wait for Shopify to resolve it.
Clear Browser Cache & Cookies
Sometimes, checkout glitches are browser-specific. Ask your customer (or try yourself) to:
- Open your store in incognito/private mode
- Try a different browser or device
- Clear the browser’s cache and cookies
- Disable browser extensions
This is especially helpful when buttons don’t respond or fields don’t load.
Disable Recently Installed Apps
Some apps, especially checkout-related or script-injecting apps, can cause conflicts.
To troubleshoot:
- Disable any newly added apps
- Refresh your store and test checkout
- Re-enable apps one at a time and test again
Common culprits:
- Upsell/cross-sell apps
- Custom shipping calculators
- Currency switchers
If the checkout starts working after disabling an app, contact the app developer for support or find an alternative.
Check Theme Code for Errors
If you’ve recently modified your theme — particularly files like cart.liquid, checkout.liquid (for Shopify Plus), or global JavaScript — errors might be breaking the checkout.
Steps:
- Go to: Online Store > Themes > Actions > Edit Code
- Check theme.js, cart.liquid, or any added JavaScript
- Restore to a previous working version from Shopify’s version history
- Alternatively, switch to a default theme (like Dawn) temporarily and test
If checkout works on the default theme, the issue is in your custom theme code.
Review Payment Gateway Settings
If customers can’t complete payments or see “Payment could not be processed”, check your gateway:
Navigate to:
Settings > Payments
Then:
- Ensure the gateway (Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay, etc.) is active and configured
- Reconnect the gateway if disconnected
- Check for any account suspensions or API errors
Sometimes payment providers require updated verification or have region-specific blocks.
Inspect Checkout Settings
Incorrect checkout settings may also cause issues. Double-check these:
- Go to Settings > Checkout
- Ensure:
- Customer accounts and contact methods are configured correctly
- Checkout language is properly set
- Custom scripts (Shopify Plus only) aren’t breaking layout or functionality
If using custom checkout scripts, temporarily disable them and test again.
Shipping or Product Configuration Errors
Sometimes the problem isn’t checkout itself but a product or shipping rule preventing the sale.
Common causes:
- Product tagged as “Digital” with no delivery method
- Shipping zones not defined for buyer’s location
- Product only available in limited countries
- Inventory set to “0” without allowing oversell
Check:
- Product > Inventory & Shipping
- Settings > Shipping & Delivery
Third-Party Integrations (Headless/Custom Frontend)
If you’re using a custom storefront (Hydrogen, React, Next.js) or a third-party checkout, debug your frontend-to-Shopify API integration.
Typical problems:
- Incomplete checkout session creation
- Invalid cart token
- Expired session
- Broken API call or network errors
Check your browser console for JavaScript errors or use browser DevTools > Network tab to trace API calls.
Use Checkout Extensions Properly (Shopify Plus)
Shopify Plus merchants may use Checkout Extensibility or Checkout.liquid.
Make sure:
- Extension points don’t override essential functionality
- No custom script interferes with third-party apps
- Preview your checkout in Editor Mode
If you’re using checkout apps like ReConvert or UpsellPlus, ensure they’re properly authenticated.
Contact Shopify Support
If all else fails, Shopify’s support team can dig deeper.
Before contacting:
- List all steps taken
- Include screenshots or screen recordings
- Share recent changes made to theme or apps
Proactive Tips to Avoid Future Checkout Issues
- Avoid editing core Liquid files unless necessary
- Back up your theme before changes
- Regularly update apps and themes
- Use Shopify’s Theme Check or Shopify CLI to scan for code errors
- Periodically test checkout yourself
- Enable abandoned cart recovery so failed checkouts are tracked
Final Thoughts
When your Shopify checkout isn’t working, don’t panic. Most issues are easily fixable with a logical step-by-step approach. The key is to identify the root cause quickly — whether it’s a code conflict, app misbehavior, or a misconfigured setting — and address it without disrupting your live customers too long.
Remember, every glitch is also an opportunity to improve your store’s stability and performance.
Having trouble with Shopify checkout? Run through this checklist or reach out to your developer or Shopify support for quick fixes and seamless conversions.
