Authorize.Net Payment Gateway Not Working on WooCommerce

Introduction

Running an online store is exciting, but nothing is more frustrating than when customers can’t pay. If your Authorize.Net payment gateway is not working on WooCommerce, it can stop sales in their tracks and leave both you and your shoppers confused. Maybe customers are getting declined transactions, the checkout page won’t load, or payments simply aren’t going through.

The good news is, most of these issues can be solved with a little troubleshooting. The causes usually come down to plugin conflicts, incorrect settings, or outdated API credentials. With the right steps, you can get your store back on track and make sure your customers can complete their purchases smoothly.

In this guide, we’ll break down the most common reasons for Authorize.Net not working on WooCommerce and provide step-by-step solutions. Let’s dive in!

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Why Authorize.Net Payment Gateway Might Not Be Working

Before fixing the issue, it helps to know what could be going wrong. Some common causes include:

• Incorrect API Login ID or Transaction Key – Even a small typo can break the connection.
• Outdated WooCommerce or Authorize.Net plugin – Compatibility issues may cause errors.
• SSL certificate issues – Authorize.Net requires secure connections.
• Plugin or theme conflicts – Other extensions can interfere with payment processing.
• Transaction settings in Authorize.Net account – Sometimes restrictions in your account block payments.

Knowing these causes helps you focus on the right fixes.

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Step 1: Double-Check Your API Credentials

One of the most common reasons the Authorize.Net gateway fails in WooCommerce is incorrect credentials.

1. Log in to your Authorize.Net account.
2. Go to Account > API Credentials & Keys.
3. Copy your API Login ID and Transaction Key.
4. In your WordPress dashboard, go to WooCommerce > Settings > Payments > Authorize.Net.
5. Paste the correct credentials and save.

Tip: If you regenerated your Transaction Key recently, make sure you updated it in WooCommerce too.

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Step 2: Make Sure Your Site is Running HTTPS

Authorize.Net requires a secure connection (SSL) to process payments. If your site isn’t HTTPS, payments will fail.

• Check if your site shows a padlock icon in the browser.
• If not, install an SSL certificate (many hosts provide it for free via Let’s Encrypt).
• In WordPress, go to Settings > General and ensure both your WordPress Address and Site Address start with https://.

This small fix can solve a lot of payment errors.

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Step 3: Update Plugins, WooCommerce, and WordPress

Outdated software often causes compatibility problems.

• Update WordPress to the latest version.
• Update WooCommerce.
• Update the Authorize.Net payment gateway plugin.

After updating, test your checkout again. Sometimes, simply keeping everything up to date solves the problem.

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Step 4: Test in Sandbox Mode

If you’re unsure whether the issue is with your site or Authorize.Net, try switching to Sandbox mode.

• In WooCommerce settings, enable Test Mode for Authorize.Net.
• Use the provided test credit card numbers from Authorize.Net.
• See if the transactions go through.

If Sandbox works but live mode doesn’t, the problem may be with your live API credentials or account settings.

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Step 5: Check for Plugin or Theme Conflicts

Sometimes other plugins interfere with the checkout process. To test:

1. Temporarily disable all plugins except WooCommerce and Authorize.Net.
2. Switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four.
3. Test the checkout again.

If it works, re-enable plugins one by one to find the culprit.

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Step 6: Review Authorize.Net Account Settings

Sometimes the issue lies in your Authorize.Net account itself. Common things to check:

• Transaction Limits – If your account has restrictions, payments may fail.
• Suspicious Activity Blocks – Authorize.Net may block certain IPs or card types.
• Currency Settings – Make sure your WooCommerce store currency matches the one supported in your Authorize.Net account.

If you’re still stuck, contacting Authorize.Net support may be necessary.

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Step 7: Enable Debug Logging

Debug logs can help you see what’s happening behind the scenes.

• Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Payments > Authorize.Net.
• Enable Debug Logging.
• Run a test payment and check the log file for errors.

This often gives clues like “invalid credentials” or “SSL error” so you know what to fix.

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Step 8: Ask Your Hosting Provider

In some cases, your web hosting environment may block the connection to Authorize.Net.

• Ask your host if cURL and OpenSSL are enabled.
• Ensure your server supports TLS 1.2, which is required by Authorize.Net.
• Request them to check server error logs for blocked connections.

A quick support ticket to your hosting company can save hours of frustration.

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Best Practices to Prevent Future Issues

To avoid running into payment gateway problems again, here are some tips:

• Keep WordPress, WooCommerce, and plugins updated.
• Regularly test your checkout page to ensure it’s working.
• Use staging sites to test updates before applying them to your live store.
• Monitor WooCommerce error logs.

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Final Thoughts

When the Authorize.Net payment gateway is not working on WooCommerce, it can feel overwhelming — especially if sales are on the line. But in most cases, the fix is straightforward: double-check your API keys, update your plugins, ensure your site runs on HTTPS, and test for conflicts.

With the step-by-step troubleshooting guide above, you can resolve the issue and restore your store’s checkout process quickly. If problems persist, don’t hesitate to reach out to your hosting provider or Authorize.Net support.

Keeping your store running smoothly means happy customers, and that’s always worth the effort.