How to Disable Cash on Delivery Payment Method in WooCommerce

WooCommerce allows store owners to offer multiple payment options to their customers. One of the default methods available is Cash on Delivery (COD). This means the customer can pay in cash when the product is delivered. While it may seem convenient, not all businesses want to allow this option.

Many store owners prefer online payments only, especially when they want to avoid the risks of handling cash. COD orders can lead to failed deliveries, fake orders, or cash flow issues. It can also slow down business operations and increase return rates.

If you’re running a store that accepts only credit cards, debit cards, or online gateways like PayPal or Stripe, disabling COD is a smart move. It helps streamline the payment process and reduces the chance of manual errors or delivery problems.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to turn off the Cash on Delivery option in WooCommerce. You don’t need coding knowledge, and the steps are easy to follow, even for beginners.

WooCommerce provides full control over how you accept payments on your online store. These payment settings are found directly inside your WordPress admin dashboard. Once you install and activate WooCommerce, several payment options are added automatically. These include methods like Cash on Delivery, Bank Transfer, PayPal, and Stripe.

Each method can be turned on or off, depending on your business needs. These settings are managed under the WooCommerce > Settings > Payments section. From there, you’ll see a list of all available payment gateways. You can choose which ones to enable for your customers during checkout.

The Cash on Delivery (COD) method is usually active by default. This allows customers to place an order and pay with physical cash when the product is delivered. However, for many online stores, COD is not practical. It can result in unnecessary delivery attempts, customer no-shows, and delayed cash settlements.

That’s why it’s important to understand how these payment gateways work. By managing the settings properly, you can ensure that only approved payment methods—such as credit cards or digital wallets—are visible on your checkout page. Disabling unwanted options like COD helps reduce risks and improve order processing efficiency.

In the next section, we’ll show you exactly how to disable the Cash on Delivery option in a few simple steps.

If you want to remove Cash on Delivery as a payment method from your WooCommerce store, the process is quick and does not require any coding. You can do it directly from your WordPress dashboard by following these steps:

Step 1: Log in to WordPress Admin
 Start by logging into your website’s admin area. Make sure you have administrator access to manage WooCommerce settings.

Step 2: Go to WooCommerce Settings
 In the left sidebar, click on WooCommerce, then select Settings. This will open the main settings page for your online store.

Step 3: Open the Payments Tab
 At the top of the settings page, click on the Payments tab. This section lists all the available payment methods you can offer to your customers.

Step 4: Locate ‘Cash on Delivery’
 Scroll through the list until you find Cash on Delivery. This option might also show as “COD” in some themes or setups.

Step 5: Click ‘Manage’ or ‘Set Up’
 Next to the Cash on Delivery method, click on the Manage or Set up button. This will open the detailed settings page for COD.

Step 6: Disable the Payment Method
 Uncheck the box labeled Enable this payment method. This will remove COD from the checkout page for all customers.

Step 7: Save Changes
 Scroll down and click the Save changes button to apply your settings.

Once done, the Cash on Delivery option will no longer appear during the checkout process. Your customers will only see the active payment methods you have allowed, such as credit/debit cards or online gateways.

In the next part, we’ll explain how to disable COD for specific shipping zones only—useful if you want to allow COD in one region but block it elsewhere.

Sometimes, store owners don’t want to disable Cash on Delivery completely. Instead, they may want to allow COD only in certain locations or cities. WooCommerce makes this possible using Shipping Zones.

Shipping Zones are used to group different locations where you ship products. Each zone can have its own shipping methods and matching payment methods. By connecting payment options to specific shipping zones, you can control where COD appears on your checkout page.

Here’s how to restrict Cash on Delivery based on shipping zones:

Step 1: Go to WooCommerce Settings
From your WordPress dashboard, navigate to WooCommerce > Settings, then click on the Shipping tab at the top.

Step 2: Choose a Shipping Zone
You’ll see a list of all your existing shipping zones. Click on the Edit button next to the zone where you want to manage payment options.

Step 3: View Available Shipping Methods
Inside the zone, you’ll find the shipping methods added (like Flat Rate, Local Pickup, etc.). Now you’ll need to make sure Cash on Delivery is only linked to relevant shipping methods.

Step 4: Manage COD Restrictions
Now go back to WooCommerce > Settings > Payments, click on Cash on Delivery, and scroll to the section labeled Enable for shipping methods. Here, you can choose specific shipping methods where COD will be available.

For example:

• Enable COD only for Local Pickup
• Disable COD for Flat Rate or Free Shipping

Step 5: Save Your Settings
 Once you select the shipping methods, click Save changes. COD will now appear only when a customer selects that specific shipping method within the assigned shipping zone.

This gives you full control to allow COD only in safe or manageable regions, while keeping it disabled elsewhere. It also helps avoid unnecessary failed deliveries and improves order tracking.

In the next part, we’ll explore how you can use WooCommerce plugins to manage COD and other payment methods with even more flexibility.

WooCommerce offers built-in settings to manage payment methods, but if you want advanced control over where and when a payment option like Cash on Delivery appears, using a plugin is the best solution. With the right plugin, you can enable or disable COD based on product types, shipping zones, cart totals, customer roles, and more.

Let’s look at how this works using a plugin.

Popular Plugin: Conditional Shipping and Payments
 One of the most powerful plugins for this task is Conditional Shipping and Payments by WooCommerce. It allows you to set rules that control when COD is available.

What You Can Do with This Plugin:

• Disable COD if the cart total is above or below a certain amount.
• Restrict COD for specific products or categories.
• Block COD for virtual or downloadable products.
• Disable COD based on customer location or postal code.
• Set rules by customer role (e.g., disable for guest users).

How to Use the Plugin:

1. Install and activate the Conditional Shipping and Payments plugin.
2. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Restrictions.
3. Create a new rule.
4. Choose Cash on Delivery under the payment method section.
5. Set your conditions (like cart amount, product category, location, etc.).
6. Save the rule.

The plugin gives you full flexibility without editing any code. You can use this to create a cleaner, safer checkout experience. It’s especially helpful if your store operates in multiple regions or has different rules for different customers.

There are other free and premium plugins available too, like:

• Payment Gateway Based Fees and Discounts
• WooCommerce Advanced COD
• WooCommerce Conditional Payment Methods

Always test a plugin on a staging site before applying it to a live store. This ensures your checkout process works as expected.

In the next part, we’ll guide you through how to test your checkout page to confirm COD has been removed or restricted correctly.

Once you have disabled or restricted the Cash on Delivery (COD) payment method, it’s important to test your checkout process. This helps you confirm that the changes are working correctly and that customers only see the allowed payment options.

Here’s a step-by-step process to test your setup:

Step 1: Open Your Website in an Incognito Window
 Using a private or incognito browser window helps you avoid cached data and shows the live checkout page as a new customer would see it.

Step 2: Add a Product to Cart
 Visit any product page and click Add to Cart. Then proceed to the Checkout page.

Step 3: Fill in Billing and Shipping Details
 Enter a test name, address, and phone number. Use a location that matches your active shipping zones. This is important if you’ve restricted COD by zone.

Step 4: Review Payment Methods at Checkout
 Check the available payment options listed. Cash on Delivery should not appear if it was disabled globally. If you’ve restricted it by location or cart total, verify that it behaves as expected.

For example:

• COD should only show if a specific shipping method is selected.
• COD should disappear if cart total exceeds the limit you set.

Step 5: Test All Scenarios
 Try a few different addresses and cart values to ensure the COD logic is working under all conditions. If using a plugin, test the rules you created.

Step 6: Clear Cache and Retest
 If COD still appears after disabling, clear your site cache and browser cache. Also check any caching plugin (like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache) settings.

Step 7: Use Staging Site for Safe Testing
 If your site is live, it’s best to use a staging environment for testing. This prevents accidental orders and lets you experiment safely.

Testing ensures your checkout process is clean, secure, and follows your payment policy. In the next part, we’ll cover how to communicate these payment changes clearly to your customers.

After disabling Cash on Delivery (COD), it’s important to update your customers. Clear communication avoids confusion and helps maintain trust during the checkout process. When customers know exactly which payment methods are accepted, they are less likely to abandon their carts.

Here are simple ways to inform your customers:

Update the Checkout Page Message
 Add a short note near the payment options. For example:
“We currently accept only credit/debit card and online payments.”
 You can do this by customizing the checkout fields using a plugin like Checkout Field Editor or by editing your theme’s template file if you’re comfortable with code.

Add a Site-Wide Notification Banner
 Use a top-bar plugin or theme notification option to display a message like:
“Note: We do not offer Cash on Delivery. Please use online payment methods.”
 This message can be set to show on all pages or only during checkout.

Include Payment Info in FAQ or Help Section
 Update your store’s FAQ or support page with a list of accepted payment methods. Explain why COD is not available, such as faster processing or security.

Use Email and Social Media
 If your store has regular customers, inform them about the change through email or social media posts. A short message with your reasons (such as faster order handling or improved service) helps users understand the policy.

Label Products or Cart Page
 Some stores also add payment method reminders on product pages or cart pages. A small icon or message works well without affecting the design.

Keeping your communication clear ensures that users don’t get surprised during checkout. It also shows that your store is professionally managed and transparent.

In the final section, we’ll summarize why disabling COD helps your business and suggest best practices for managing WooCommerce payment methods.

Disabling Cash on Delivery in WooCommerce helps reduce fake orders, improve payment security, and streamline your checkout process. You can easily turn it off in settings or use plugins for more control. Always test changes and inform your customers about accepted payment methods to avoid confusion.

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