Fix WooCommerce Coupon and Discount Not Working on Checkout

Introduction

When running an online store, coupons and discounts can be a game-changer. They encourage customers to complete their purchase and often increase loyalty. But what happens when a customer applies a coupon code only to find it doesn’t work at checkout? Frustrating, right? Many WooCommerce store owners face this exact issue: WooCommerce coupon and discount not working on checkout.

This problem not only frustrates your customers but can also lead to abandoned carts and lost sales. Luckily, most of the time, the issue comes down to simple settings or conflicts that can be easily fixed. In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common reasons why coupons fail and how to fix them step by step. By the end, you’ll be able to confidently troubleshoot the problem and make sure your discounts always run smoothly.

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Why WooCommerce Coupons Fail at Checkout

Before fixing the problem, it helps to understand the common causes. WooCommerce coupons may fail for several reasons:

• Coupon restrictions are too strict – such as minimum spend or product-specific limits.
• Expired or inactive coupons – sometimes the validity date has passed.
• Conflict with plugins or themes – another plugin might override WooCommerce functions.
• Cache issues – cached checkout pages may not show updated coupon logic.
• Incorrect settings in WooCommerce – sometimes, coupon functionality is disabled by mistake.

Identifying which of these applies to your store is the first step to solving the issue.

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Step 1: Check If Coupons Are Enabled

WooCommerce has a built-in option that allows store owners to disable coupons altogether. If this is unchecked, your coupons won’t work no matter what.

1. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > General.
2. Scroll to the Enable coupons option.
3. Make sure the box is checked.
4. Save changes.

This simple setting often solves the problem for many store owners.

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Step 2: Verify Coupon Settings

Sometimes the issue isn’t WooCommerce itself but how the coupon was set up. Double-check:

• Usage Restrictions – Ensure the coupon isn’t limited to specific products or categories that don’t match the customer’s cart.
• Usage Limits – Check if the coupon has already been used up.
• Date Validity – Make sure the coupon is not expired.
• Minimum/Maximum Spend – Verify that the customer’s cart total matches the set requirement.

For example, if a coupon requires a minimum spend of $50 but the cart is $48, the coupon won’t apply.

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Step 3: Clear Cache and Sessions

Caching plugins and server-side caching can interfere with WooCommerce coupon logic. To test this:

• Clear your website cache if you’re using a caching plugin.
• Clear browser cache and cookies.
• If you use a CDN (like Cloudflare), purge the cache there too.

This ensures customers always see the latest checkout rules.

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Step 4: Look for Plugin or Theme Conflicts

WooCommerce works with thousands of plugins, but conflicts happen. If a plugin alters checkout functionality, it can block coupon discounts.

Here’s how to troubleshoot:

1. Temporarily deactivate all plugins except WooCommerce.
2. Switch to a default theme like Storefront.
3. Test the coupon again.
4. If it works, reactivate your plugins one by one until the issue reappears.

Once you find the culprit, you can either look for updates, contact the plugin developer, or switch to an alternative.

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Step 5: Double-Check Shipping and Tax Settings

Some coupons apply before tax or shipping, while others may not apply to certain shipping methods. To adjust:

• Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Tax and check how discounts are calculated.
• Review whether coupons apply before or after tax.
• Check if coupons are restricted from being applied to shipping fees.

A small adjustment here often resolves coupon application issues.

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Step 6: Debug Using WooCommerce Logs

If all else fails, WooCommerce has a handy logging system.

• Go to WooCommerce > Status > Logs.
• Select the latest log file.
• Look for errors related to coupons or checkout.

This can provide clues, especially if the issue is related to custom code or third-party integrations.

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Preventing Future Coupon Issues

To save time and avoid frustrated customers, consider these best practices:

• Test new coupons in a staging environment before making them live.
• Clearly communicate coupon terms (minimum spend, eligible products, expiration date).
• Keep plugins, themes, and WooCommerce updated.
• Regularly clear caches when making checkout-related changes.

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Final Thoughts

Coupons and discounts are essential tools for boosting sales, but nothing kills the excitement of a deal faster than a coupon not working. The good news is, most problems with WooCommerce coupon and discount not working on checkout come down to simple misconfigurations, cache issues, or plugin conflicts.

By following the steps above—checking settings, clearing caches, verifying restrictions, and testing for conflicts—you can quickly resolve the issue and restore trust with your customers. Remember to always test new coupons before launching promotions to avoid embarrassing glitches.

With everything working smoothly, your coupons will once again become the powerful sales driver they’re meant to be.