WooCommerce Orders Not Syncing to ShipStation? Here’s the Fix

Introduction

Running an online store should be exciting, but sometimes technology throws a curveball. If you’re using WooCommerce with ShipStation, you may have run into an issue where your WooCommerce orders are not syncing to ShipStation. Suddenly, the smooth workflow you depend on is interrupted, leaving you scrambling to figure out what went wrong.

Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Many store owners face this frustrating problem, and the good news is that it’s usually something you can fix quickly with a few adjustments. In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common reasons for syncing failures, step-by-step fixes, and practical tips to make sure it doesn’t happen again. By the end, you’ll have your WooCommerce orders flowing back into ShipStation and your fulfillment process back on track.

Let’s break it down together in a way that’s clear and stress-free.

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Why WooCommerce Orders Fail to Sync with ShipStation

When WooCommerce orders don’t show up in ShipStation, it can feel like your entire order management system has stalled. The issue can stem from a handful of common problems:

• Plugin conflicts – A theme or plugin may be interfering with the ShipStation integration.
• API connection issues – ShipStation relies on API keys to communicate with WooCommerce, and if those keys are outdated or misconfigured, syncing fails.
• Outdated software – Running an older version of WooCommerce, WordPress, or the ShipStation plugin can cause compatibility errors.
• Order status settings – Sometimes, orders don’t meet the criteria ShipStation is set to import.
• Server or hosting limits – Timeout errors from limited hosting resources can block syncing.

Identifying the cause is the first step to fixing it.

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Step 1: Double-Check Your ShipStation API Connection

The API connection is the bridge between WooCommerce and ShipStation. If it’s broken, orders won’t sync. Here’s what to do:

1. Log in to your WooCommerce admin.
2. Navigate to WooCommerce > Settings > Advanced > REST API.
3. Make sure you have an active API key connected to ShipStation.
4. Head to your ShipStation account and confirm the WooCommerce integration settings match the API key.

If you recently changed your password, domain, or SSL settings, you may need to regenerate the API keys and reconnect.

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Step 2: Update WooCommerce and ShipStation Plugin

Running outdated software is a recipe for syncing headaches. Updates often include bug fixes that resolve these issues.

• Update WordPress to the latest version.
• Update WooCommerce.
• Update the official ShipStation Integration plugin.

Once updated, clear your site and browser cache, then retry syncing.

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Step 3: Check Order Status and Import Filters

ShipStation only imports orders that meet specific status requirements. For example, if your WooCommerce order is still marked as “Pending Payment,” it won’t sync.

Here’s what you should check:

• Go to ShipStation settings.
• Review which order statuses are included for import.
• Adjust WooCommerce order statuses if needed, or expand the criteria in ShipStation.

This simple adjustment often solves the issue immediately.

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Step 4: Look for Plugin or Theme Conflicts

Sometimes, another plugin can interrupt communication between WooCommerce and ShipStation. To test this:

1. Temporarily deactivate all plugins except WooCommerce and ShipStation.
2. Try syncing orders again.
3. If it works, reactivate plugins one by one to find the culprit.

If the issue continues, switch to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-Five) to rule out theme conflicts.

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Step 5: Resolve Server or Hosting Limits

If you’re on shared hosting, your server might be timing out during the syncing process. Symptoms include orders partially syncing or failing with timeout errors.

Possible fixes include:

• Contacting your hosting provider to increase server limits.
• Enabling WP_DEBUG logs to identify timeout or memory issues.
• Upgrading to hosting optimized for WooCommerce.

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Preventing Future Sync Issues

Once you’ve fixed the immediate problem, you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Here are some proactive tips:

• Regularly update WordPress, WooCommerce, and all plugins.
• Use a staging site to test updates before applying them to your live store.
• Monitor error logs in WordPress to catch issues early.
• Schedule API refreshes every few months to keep connections stable.
• Choose reliable hosting that can handle your store’s traffic and syncing demands.

A little maintenance goes a long way in preventing disruptions.

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Wrapping It Up

When WooCommerce orders are not syncing to ShipStation, it can feel like your business is at a standstill. But in most cases, the fix is straightforward—whether it’s reconnecting your API, updating your plugins, adjusting order statuses, or checking for conflicts.

By following the step-by-step fixes in this guide, you should be able to quickly restore the connection and get your orders flowing smoothly again.

If you’re still running into trouble, reaching out to ShipStation or WooCommerce support can provide extra help. And remember—keeping your site updated and monitoring for small issues can save you from bigger headaches down the road.