Fixing Shopify store not taking orders error

Are you encountering the frustrating “This store isn’t taking orders right now” error when trying to complete a purchase on your Shopify store? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This common issue can occur for various reasons, but fortunately, there are several solutions available. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the causes of this error and provide step-by-step instructions to resolve it, ensuring your store can start accepting orders smoothly.

Understanding the Error

What Does the Error Mean?

The “This store isn’t taking orders right now” error typically appears when customers attempt to checkout or use the “Buy Now” button on a Shopify store. This message indicates that the store’s checkout process is currently disabled, preventing customers from completing their purchases.

Common Causes

There are several reasons why this error might occur:

1. Store on a paused plan
2. Incomplete store setup
3. Unverified tax settings
4. Unselected plan after trial period

Impact on Your Business

This error can significantly impact your business by preventing sales and potentially frustrating customers. It’s crucial to address this issue promptly to avoid losing potential revenue and maintaining a positive customer experience.

Primary Solution: Check Your Shopify Plan

Verifying Your Current Plan

The most common cause of this error is that your store is on a “paused” plan. To check your current plan:

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel
2. Navigate to “Settings” > “Plans and Permissions”
3. Review your current plan status

Upgrading Your Plan

If you find that your store is on a paused plan, you’ll need to upgrade to enable checkouts. Here’s how:

1. In the “Plans and Permissions” section, click on “Change plan”
2. Select at least the “Basic” plan or higher
3. Follow the prompts to complete the upgrade process

Contacting Shopify Support

If you’re already on the Basic plan or higher and still encountering this error, it’s best to reach out to Shopify Support for further assistance. They can help identify any account-specific issues that may be causing the problem.

Alternative Solutions

Verifying VAT Collection Status

Some users have reported that verifying their VAT collection status resolved the issue. To do this:

1. Go to “Settings” > “Taxes”
2. Review your tax settings
3. Ensure that your VAT collection status is correctly set

Selecting a Plan During Trial Period

If you’re on a trial and experiencing this error, make sure you’ve selected a plan that will activate after the trial ends:

1. Navigate to “Settings” > “Plans and Permissions”
2. Choose the plan you want to use after the trial
3. Confirm your selection

Removing Online Store Sales Channel for Lite Plan

If you’re specifically looking to use the Shopify Lite plan:

1. Go to “Settings” > “Sales Channels”
2. Find the “Online Store” sales channel
3. Click the “trash can” icon to remove it

This step is necessary because the Lite plan doesn’t include the Online Store feature.

Troubleshooting for Specific Scenarios

Buy Button Issues

If you’re using the Buy Button and encountering this error:

1. Ensure you’ve completed the store setup process
2. Verify that you’ve selected a plan (even during the trial period)
3. Check that your tax settings are correctly configured

Changing the Error Message Language

Some users have inquired about changing the language of the error message. While Shopify doesn’t provide a direct way to modify this specific error message, you can change your store’s overall language settings:

1. Go to “Settings” > “Languages”
2. Select your preferred language
3. Update the translations for your store

Preventing Future Occurrences

Regular Store Maintenance

To avoid encountering this error in the future:

1. Regularly review your Shopify plan and ensure it meets your needs
2. Keep your store settings up to date
3. Promptly address any notifications or warnings in your Shopify admin panel

Staying Informed

Keep yourself updated on Shopify’s features and any changes to their plans:

1. Subscribe to Shopify’s official blog
2. Join Shopify community forums
3. Regularly check your Shopify admin for important announcements

By following these steps and staying proactive in managing your store, you can minimize the chances of encountering the “This store isn’t taking orders right now” error and ensure a smooth shopping experience for your customers.

Remember, if you’ve tried these solutions and are still facing issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to Shopify Support for personalized assistance. They have the tools and expertise to help resolve any persistent problems with your store’s checkout process.