How to Fix WooCommerce Cart Not Updating Quantity Issue

Running a WooCommerce store is exciting. But small errors can ruin the experience. One of the most common issues users face is the WooCommerce cart not updating quantity. This issue can hurt sales, frustrate customers, and damage trust in your store.

Imagine a customer tries to add more products to the cart. But the cart still shows the old quantity. Or worse, the cart total doesn’t change after the update. These are common signs of this cart issue.

This problem usually looks like:

• Cart shows the same quantity even after change
• The “Update Cart” button does nothing
• Mini cart does not reflect changes
• Cart total price doesn’t refresh
• Quantity updates but reverts after refresh

These small glitches can push a customer to leave your site. If they can’t update quantities, they can’t complete their purchase.

The good news? This problem is fixable. This guide will show you the exact reasons behind this problem. We’ll also cover simple fixes you can apply right now.

When your WooCommerce cart is not updating quantity, it may seem like a small issue. But in reality, it creates a bad shopping experience for your customers. It can also lead to lost sales and confusion during checkout.

This issue shows up in many ways. You might notice that when a user tries to change the product quantity in the cart, nothing happens. The cart still shows the old value. Even after clicking the “Update Cart” button, the quantity stays the same. Sometimes, the cart total doesn’t change. Other times, the changes disappear after the page reloads.

Let’s look at some common signs of this issue:

• The quantity does not change in the cart after update
• The cart shows the old quantity even after refresh
• The update cart button is not working or does nothing
• The cart totals remain the same even after changing the quantity
• The mini cart doesn’t update and shows wrong quantity
• The cart refreshes, but changes are not saved

These issues point to one big problem — WooCommerce is not processing the quantity update correctly.

Here’s what normally should happen:

• The user changes the quantity of a product
• They click the Update Cart button
• The cart updates automatically
• The new totals appear instantly
• The same quantity reflects in the mini cart and at checkout

When any of these steps break, the cart stops working as expected.

Sometimes it’s a simple fix. Other times, it needs deeper troubleshooting. This can include fixing broken JavaScript or handling a plugin conflict.

If your WooCommerce cart is not updating quantity, there is always a reason behind it. To fix the issue, you first need to understand what’s causing it. In many cases, the problem is not WooCommerce itself, but something interfering with how it works.

Here are the most common causes:

1. Caching Problems

One of the most frequent reasons is caching. Caching helps speed up websites, but it can also block cart updates.

WooCommerce cart and checkout pages are dynamic. They are not meant to be cached. When they are cached, changes in quantity may not show.

You might see:

• Old quantities still showing in the cart
• Cart totals not updating after quantity change
• Mini cart showing incorrect product counts

Types of caching that cause issues:

• Page caching (via plugins like WP Super Cache, W3 Total Cache)
• Server-level caching (like NGINX or Varnish)
• CDN caching (like Cloudflare or Sucuri)

2. Plugin Conflicts

Some plugins may block or override WooCommerce features. This is especially true for plugins that deal with cart behavior, JavaScript, or AJAX functions.

Common plugin types that cause issues:

• Optimization plugins (e.g., combine/minify JS)
• Cart or checkout customization plugins
• Ajax filters or live search plugins

These can stop cart update scripts from running properly.

3. Theme Conflicts

Poorly coded themes can break WooCommerce functionality. Some themes may not fully support WooCommerce hooks or templates.

Issues often come from:

• Missing or outdated cart templates
• Broken update_cart functions
• Incomplete support for AJAX cart features

If the theme does not use proper WooCommerce functions, quantity changes may not work.

4. JavaScript Errors

WooCommerce uses JavaScript to handle cart updates. If there are JS errors on the page, the “Update Cart” button may stop working.

These errors can come from:

• Broken scripts from plugins or themes
• Conflicts between different JavaScript libraries
• Minified scripts missing important functions

You can check browser console logs to spot these errors.

5. AJAX Not Working Properly

WooCommerce relies on AJAX to refresh the cart without reloading the page. If AJAX fails, cart updates won’t be saved.

AJAX may break due to:

• Disabled or missing wc_cart_fragments script
• Theme not supporting AJAX actions
• Plugin conflicts or script errors

Without AJAX, the cart will not update or refresh correctly.

6. Outdated WooCommerce or WordPress Files

Running older versions of WooCommerce or WordPress can lead to bugs. New updates often fix known issues with cart behavior.

Outdated templates or core files may cause:

• Broken cart functions
• Missing scripts
• Incompatible features

Now that we’ve covered the most common causes of the WooCommerce cart quantity not updating, it’s time to fix the problem. The good news is that most of these issues can be resolved without deep technical knowledge. You just need to follow each step carefully.

Let’s go through the most effective solutions, one by one.

1. Clear Cache and Disable Caching for Cart Pages

Caching is a great way to improve site speed. But it can cause problems with dynamic pages like the cart and checkout. If caching is active on these pages, WooCommerce may not update the cart properly.

Here’s what you can do:

• Clear your website cache from the caching plugin dashboard
• Clear your browser cache and cookies
• If you use a CDN like Cloudflare, clear the CDN cache too
• Exclude these pages from caching:
  • /cart/
  • /checkout/
  • /my-account/

Most caching plugins like WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, or LiteSpeed Cache allow you to exclude URLs.

If the problem goes away after clearing cache, you’ve found the issue.

2. Check for Plugin Conflicts

Sometimes, plugins don’t play well together. A plugin could be interfering with WooCommerce’s cart update function. To identify the faulty plugin, you’ll need to perform a conflict test.

Follow these steps:

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard
2. Deactivate all plugins except WooCommerce
3. Check if the cart quantity updates properly
4. If it works, activate plugins one by one
5. After each activation, test the cart again

Once the issue returns, you’ve found the problematic plugin. Contact the plugin developer or consider switching to an alternative.

Common plugins that may cause issues include:

• JavaScript minification or optimization tools
• Custom checkout or cart design plugins
• Live product filters using AJAX

If you’re not sure, consult a developer or your hosting support.

3. Switch to a Default Theme to Rule Out Theme Conflict

A poorly coded or outdated theme can also break cart functionality. If your theme doesn’t fully support WooCommerce, it might not trigger cart updates correctly.

To test this:

• Switch to the default Storefront theme from WooCommerce
• Refresh your cart page and test quantity update
• If it works, your theme is likely the problem

Check your current theme’s documentation for WooCommerce compatibility. If your theme is outdated, consider updating it or contacting the developer for support.

4. Update WooCommerce, WordPress, and Themes

Outdated software often causes compatibility issues. New WooCommerce updates fix known bugs, improve performance, and support better theme/plugin integration.

Make sure to:

• Update WooCommerce to the latest version
• Update WordPress core files
• Update your active theme and child theme
• Update all other installed plugins

Before updating, always backup your site to avoid data loss.

After updates, refresh the cart page and check if the quantity updates correctly.

5. Fix JavaScript Errors

JavaScript plays a major role in updating the WooCommerce cart. If there’s an error in your browser’s console, it might block cart updates.

To check for JS errors:

1. Open the cart page
2. Right-click anywhere and select Inspect
3. Go to the Console tab
4. Look for red error messages

If you see errors, they’re likely caused by your theme or plugins. You can:

• Disable JavaScript optimization (like JS minify or combine)
• Disable conflicting plugins one by one
• Switch to a default theme temporarily

Once you identify the source, fix it or ask the developer for help.

6. Re-enable or Repair AJAX Cart Fragments

WooCommerce uses a script called wc-cart-fragments.js to update the cart in real time. If this script is missing or blocked, the cart won’t refresh automatically.

Fix it by:

• Making sure your theme calls wp_footer() in footer.php
• Checking if wc-cart-fragments is loaded in your browser
• Not disabling this script in any performance plugin
• Re-enabling AJAX functions in WooCommerce settings (some themes add this option)

If your mini cart or full cart isn’t refreshing, this script is likely broken or disabled.

7. Add a Custom Snippet to Force Cart Refresh

If nothing else works, adding a small code snippet can sometimes fix the issue. This forces WooCommerce to refresh cart totals and save new quantities.

Add the following code to your theme’s functions.php file:

add_filter( ‘woocommerce_add_to_cart_fragments’, ‘refresh_cart_fragment’ );

function refresh_cart_fragment( $fragments ) {

ob_start();

woocommerce_cart_contents_count();

$fragments[‘span.cart-count’] = ob_get_clean();

return $fragments;

}

This will help keep your cart fragment script updated.

Important: Always create a backup or use a child theme before editing code.

8. Disable Object Caching from Server or Hosting Panel

Some web hosts enable object caching at the server level. While it’s great for speed, it may interfere with WooCommerce session data. As a result, your cart may not save changes or reflect updated totals.

If you’re using:

• LiteSpeed Hosting
• Redis or Memcached
• Varnish Cache

… then try disabling object caching from your hosting control panel. You can also contact your host’s support to help with this.

9. Test on Different Browsers and Devices

Sometimes, the issue is local. The cart may work on other browsers but fail on one.

To rule this out:

• Clear your browser cache and try again
• Test the cart in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge
• Try from mobile and desktop devices

If the cart works in one browser but not another, a browser extension or cookie setting might be blocking updates.

Sometimes your main cart works fine, but the mini cart doesn’t update. This is a common issue in WooCommerce. The mini cart usually appears in the header or sidebar. It shows the product count and total price. When it fails, it shows old data or does not reflect changes in quantity.

This can confuse your customers. They may think their cart is not updated. Even if the main cart page works, the mini cart needs to refresh correctly too.

Why the Mini Cart Fails to Update

The mini cart uses AJAX and cart fragments to show real-time updates. If these scripts break or are disabled, the mini cart stops working.

Here are the common causes:

• The wc-cart-fragments script is missing or disabled
• The theme does not support AJAX in the mini cart
• Caching is blocking the mini cart from refreshing
• JavaScript errors are stopping the cart update
• The header is not using the correct WooCommerce hook

These issues prevent the mini cart from syncing with the main cart.

How to Fix the Mini Cart Not Updating

Here are some simple ways to fix it:

• Make sure your theme includes wp_footer() in footer.php
• Don’t disable wc-cart-fragments.js in performance plugins
• Exclude header and mini cart areas from caching
• Use a theme that fully supports WooCommerce AJAX updates
• Add or update your mini cart using the woocommerce_mini_cart function
• Check for JavaScript errors in the browser console

If you are using a custom mini cart, make sure it uses WooCommerce functions. Avoid hardcoded cart items or totals.

When your mini cart updates correctly, your store feels faster and more reliable. This improves the shopping experience and helps avoid cart confusion.

Variable products in WooCommerce work differently from simple products. These are products that come with options like size, color, or style. Each option creates a variation that WooCommerce treats like a unique item.

Sometimes, when a customer selects a variation and updates the quantity, the cart doesn’t reflect the change. This is a known issue and can be frustrating for store owners.

Why Variable Product Quantity Fails to Update

There are several reasons why the cart doesn’t update correctly for variable products.

Common causes include:

• Incorrect variation selection before adding to cart
• Missing variation ID in the cart request
• AJAX failures when changing variation quantities
• Custom code or plugins overriding default WooCommerce behavior
• Theme or template files not handling variation logic correctly

When any of these occur, the quantity change is ignored or not saved.

How to Identify the Problem

Start by testing the product yourself:

• Choose a variation (e.g., size: Medium)
• Add it to the cart
• Change the quantity in the cart page
• Click “Update Cart” and watch the result

If the quantity doesn’t update, check your browser console for JavaScript errors. Also, inspect if the variation ID is sent in the request.

How to Fix It

Try the following steps:

• Make sure your theme supports variable products fully
• Update WooCommerce to the latest version
• Avoid custom code that skips variation checks
• If using plugins for variation swatches, test with them disabled
• Use default WooCommerce hooks to manage variation changes

Always test with the default Storefront theme. If the issue disappears, your theme may need an update or a fix.

The WooCommerce cart quantity not updating issue is more than just a minor glitch. It directly affects your customer’s shopping experience and can lead to lost sales. Whether it’s caused by caching, theme conflicts, or broken scripts, leaving it unresolved can damage your store’s credibility.

If you’re struggling to fix it yourself or want expert support, don’t hesitate to reach out. At 24x7wpsupport.com, we specialize in solving WooCommerce issues quickly and professionally. Our team is available 24/7 to help you keep your online store running smoothly.

Let the experts handle the technical stuff — so you can focus on growing your business.

Contact us today and get your WooCommerce store back on track.