
Fix Stripe Not Updating Order Status in WooCommerce
Introduction & Common Issue Overview
One of the most reliable payment gateways for online store is Stripe. It integrates smoothly with WooCommerce and helps store owners accept payments easily. Many U.S.-based small business owners rely on Stripe for fast and secure transactions.
However, sometimes Stripe doesn’t update the order status in WooCommerce. This issue creates confusion and delays order processing. A successful payment shows up in Stripe, but the WooCommerce order remains “pending” or “failed.” Store owners often miss these transactions or process them late.
This is a common issue, especially after plugin updates or server changes. Stripe and WooCommerce rely on real-time communication. If anything breaks in that process, order status updates may fail.
When this happens, you might face:
- Orders stuck in “Pending Payment” even after payment is complete
- Customers receiving no order confirmation
- Delays in shipping or service fulfillment
- Manual checks required for every Stripe payment
These issues affect your store’s workflow and customer experience. It can also result in less sales or bad reviews if it is not promptly resolved.
The good news is that there is a solution for this issue. Additionally, you can accomplish it without being a developer. We’ll walk you through the process of fixing Stripe’s inability to update WooCommerce order status in this article. Step-by-step instructions and self-checks are included in every segment.
This article will be helpful whether you’re managing a tiny internet store or an expanding company. Fixing the problem will save you time and improve customer satisfaction. Let’s begin by understanding why this issue happens in the first place.
Why Stripe Fails to Update WooCommerce Orders
Stripe and WooCommerce work together through a system called webhooks. Webhooks send real-time data from Stripe to your WooCommerce site. When a payment is made, Stripe tells WooCommerce to update the order. If that message fails, the order status stays stuck. Let’s examine the primary causes of this.
- Webhook Configuration Errors
This is one of the most common issues. If Stripe webhooks are not set up properly, WooCommerce won’t receive payment updates. Even a small mistake in the webhook URL can break the connection.
Look for these problems:
- Webhook URL is missing or incorrect
- Required webhook events are not selected
- Webhook secret key doesn’t match WooCommerce settings
If these are not fixed, Stripe can’t talk to your website.
- API Keys Are in Test Mode
Stripe uses two modes: Test and Live. If your API keys are still set to “test,” real payments won’t reflect correctly. WooCommerce needs live keys to update real orders. Always double-check that your site is using live mode before launching.
- Outdated Plugins or Software
Old versions of WooCommerce or Stripe plugins may stop working correctly. Updates fix bugs and keep things secure. When software is outdated, Stripe may send updates that WooCommerce can’t understand.
Make sure to update:
- WooCommerce core plugin
- Plugin for the WooCommerce Stripe payment gateway
- WordPress core files
- Plugin or Theme Conflicts
Some plugins may block webhooks or interfere with Stripe. Security plugins, caching tools, or poorly coded themes may break the update process. If your site has many plugins, conflicts are likely.
Watch for:
- Security plugins blocking incoming webhook calls
- Caching plugins delaying webhook responses
- Custom themes with outdated WooCommerce templates
- Missing HTTPS or Invalid SSL Certificate
Stripe only works with secure connections. If your site doesn’t use HTTPS, webhooks will fail. Always make sure your SSL certificate is active and correctly installed.
You can check this by:
- Visiting your site with https://
- Using programs such as WhyNoPadlock or SSL Labs
The first step is to comprehend these factors. Knowing what’s wrong makes repairing it much simpler.
Essential Pre-Troubleshooting Checklist
Before jumping into fixes, it’s smart to run a few checks. By following these procedures, you can prevent wasting time on incorrect answers. Many Stripe order update issues are caused by settings or outdated software. Let’s start with a review of the most important points.
- Check Plugin Versions
Make sure your WooCommerce and Stripe plugins are up to date. Outdated plugins often break communication between Stripe and your store. Updates also fix bugs and improve stability.
To check:
- Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins in WordPress
- Look for WooCommerce and WooCommerce Stripe Gateway
- Click “Update Now” if updates are available
- Verify Stripe Is in Live Mode
Stripe offers two environments: test and live. If your store uses test keys, order statuses won’t update for real payments. Always confirm your site is using live API keys.
Steps:
- Go to WooCommerce → Settings → Payments → Stripe
- Check if the mode is Live
- Double-check the API keys are from your live Stripe account
- Ensure WordPress and PHP Are Updated
Outdated WordPress or PHP versions can cause plugin issues. Stripe and WooCommerce both require modern versions to work correctly.
You can check your PHP version under:
- Tools → Site Health → Info → Server
- Upgrade if it’s below 4, preferably use 8.0 or higher
- Use a Staging Site for Testing
Never test fixes directly on a live store. Use a staging site or backup first. This protects your customers and prevents downtime.
You can use:
- Hosting tools like Softaculous, cPanel, or BlogVault
- WordPress staging plugins like WP Staging
Taking these steps ensures that your troubleshooting goes smoothly.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting & Fixes
Now that you’ve completed the pre-checks, it’s time to fix the issue. Stripe not updating order status in WooCommerce is usually caused by a few key problems. The good news? These issues are fixable with a few simple steps.
Below, you’ll find the top five solutions. Follow each step carefully and test changes after every fix.
Solution 1: Fix Stripe Webhook Configuration
Webhooks are how Stripe “talks” to WooCommerce. If webhooks are broken or missing, order updates will fail.
➤ Step 1: Find Your Webhook URL in WooCommerce
- Access your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to Settings → Payments → Stripe in WooCommerce.
- Navigate to the section on Webhook Endpoints.
- Make a copy of the entire webhook URL.
It will look like:
https://yourdomain.com/?wc-api=wc_stripe
➤ Step 2: Add the Webhook in Stripe
- Log in to your Stripe Dashboard
- Go to Developers → Webhooks
- Click “+ Add endpoint”
- Paste the WooCommerce webhook URL
- Choose these under Events to send:
- succeeded
- payment_failed
- succeeded
- session.completed
➤ Step 3: Save and Test Webhook
- Click Add Endpoint
- Click into the new webhook
- Use “Send test webhook” to test it
- In WooCommerce, check if logs show a success message
If the test fails, double-check your webhook URL and events.
Solution 2: Regenerate API Keys and Reconnect Stripe
If your Stripe API keys are incorrect or expired, WooCommerce won’t connect properly.
➤ Step 1: Generate New API Keys
- In Stripe, go to Developers → API Keys
- Click “Create restricted key” or use the default Live Secret Key
- Make a copy of the secret key and publishable key.
➤ Step 2: Add API Keys to WooCommerce
- Go back to WooCommerce → Settings → Payments → Stripe
- Replace the old keys with the new ones
- Verify that Live is selected as the mode.
- Click Save changes
This refreshes the connection and ensures valid credentials are used.
Solution 3: Enable Debug Logging for Stripe
Debug logging helps identify problems during payments or webhook responses.
➤ Step 1: Turn on Debug Log
- In WordPress, go to WooCommerce → Settings → Payments → Stripe
- Scroll down and enable Debug log
- Save the settings
➤ Step 2: Perform a Test Payment
- Create a test order using Stripe (in live or test mode)
- Complete the checkout as a customer
- Return to the Stripe settings page
➤ Step 3: View Logs
- Go to WooCommerce → Status → Logs
- From the dropdown, select a log file starting with “stripe-”
- Look for messages like:
- “Webhook received”
- “Order updated successfully”
- “Error: Webhook signature invalid”
These messages help you identify if Stripe communicated with WooCommerce.
Solution 4: Test for Plugin or Theme Conflicts
Sometimes other plugins or custom themes block Stripe from updating order status.
➤ Step 1: Install Health Check Plugin
- The Health Check & Troubleshooting plugin should be installed and activated.
- Go to Tools → Site Health → Troubleshooting Mode
➤ Step 2: Enable Troubleshooting Mode
- Turn on the troubleshooting mode.
- This will just disable all plugins for your session; the website will remain operational.
- Turn on only:
- WooCommerce
- WooCommerce Stripe Gateway
➤ Step 3: Test Stripe Checkout
- Create a test order and complete payment
- Check if the order status updates correctly
- If it works, one of your plugins is causing the conflict
➤ Step 4: Identify the Problem Plugin
- Enable one plugin at a time
- Test Stripe after enabling each
- When order status breaks, you’ve found the conflicting plugin
Try using the default Storefront theme as well. Some themes block or modify webhook responses.
Solution 5: Check SSL and HTTPS Settings
Stripe requires secure connections to process webhooks. If your site lacks HTTPS, updates will fail.
➤ Step 1: Verify SSL Is Active
- Visit your site using https://
- Look for the address bar’s padlock icon.
- If it’s missing, your SSL isn’t active
➤ Step 2: Use Online SSL Tools
- Go to com or SSL Labs
- Enter your site URL
- Fix any errors shown (insecure images, expired certs, etc.)
➤ Step 3: Force HTTPS on Your Site
- Make use of a Really Simple SSL plugin.
- Enable “Force HTTPS” option
- Clear your site cache after applying changes
Once HTTPS is fully enabled, webhooks will function properly again.
After Applying Fixes: Test Again
Once you’ve made these fixes, do a final test.
- Place a real or test order using Stripe
- Complete payment
- Go to WooCommerce orders
- Verify whether the order status changes from “Pending” to “Completed” or “Processing.”
If it works, your issue is resolved.
If it still doesn’t update:
- Recheck the webhook delivery in Stripe
- Review debug logs
- Try plugin conflict steps again
These five solutions cover almost every cause of Stripe order update issues. By following each step carefully, you can restore automatic status updates and avoid manual work.
Best Practices to Prevent Stripe Sync Issues
Once your Stripe-WooCommerce connection is working, it’s smart to keep it that way. You can steer clear of future problems by following a few recommended practices. These steps keep your store running smoothly and reduce support headaches.
- Keep All Plugins and WordPress Updated
Outdated software is a common cause of Stripe problems. Security patches, performance enhancements, and bug fixes are all included in updates.
To stay updated:
- Enable auto-updates for WooCommerce and Stripe plugin
- Regularly check for WordPress core updates
- Update your PHP version to at least 7.4 or higher
Updating reduces the risk of errors and broken features.
- Monitor Webhook Logs Regularly
Webhook logs show if Stripe is sending updates successfully. Checking them helps catch problems early.
To monitor:
- Visit Stripe Dashboard → Developers → Webhooks
- Look for recent event deliveries
- Make sure status shows “200 OK” (means it worked)
If you see failures, check your WooCommerce logs or settings.
- Test Payments on a Staging Site
Always test plugin changes before applying them to your live store. This helps you spot problems without affecting customers.
Use:
- Use a staging environment offered by your web hosting company.
- Plugins such as BlogVault or WP Staging
Test a few sample orders with Stripe to verify everything works.
- Avoid Using Unofficial Stripe Plugins
Use the official Stripe Payment Gateway for WooCommerce at all times. Third-party plugins may not be maintained or secure. They can also miss webhook updates or handle orders incorrectly.
The official plugin is located in the WordPress plugin directory.
Conclusion
Technical issues like Stripe not updating order status can impact your store’s success. It’s time to seek professional assistance if you’ve tried every solution and the issue persists. Don’t let payment issues slow down your business or frustrate your customers.
Let our professionals handle it for you—fast and stress-free. At 24×7 WP Support, we offer expert WooCommerce and Stripe troubleshooting, available anytime you need us.
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