Is this your problem?
- The checkout button does nothing
- The cart does not update or empties itself
- "No shipping rates available"
- Payments are declined or a method is missing
- Customisations disappeared from the checkout
What usually causes it
How to tell: It works in a default theme preview and fails in yours.
How to tell: It started after installing an upsell, bundle or terms app.
How to tell: Settings, Payments shows an alert or a verification request.
How to tell: Some countries or addresses get no rates.
How to tell: Shopify retired checkout.liquid customisations in 2024 and 2025. Old edits stopped applying.
Before you touch anything
- Duplicate your live theme before changing anything.
How to fix it, step by step
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1
Check Shopify status
Look at status.shopify.com. If checkout is affected there, wait.
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2
Test in a private window
Add to cart and go to checkout as a customer, on a phone and a laptop.
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3
Preview a default theme
Preview a current Shopify theme with your products. If checkout works there, the problem is in your theme cart code.
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4
Turn apps off one by one
In the theme editor, under App embeds, switch off apps that touch the cart or checkout, and test after each.
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5
Check payments and shipping
Settings, Payments for alerts. Settings, Shipping and delivery for zones that cover every market you sell to.
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6
Rebuild checkout changes
If old checkout.liquid edits vanished, rebuild them with checkout apps and extensions in the checkout editor.
Stop and get help if
- Shopify Payments shows a hold on your payouts.
- Orders are charged but not created.
Stop it happening again
- Test a real order after installing any app.
- Keep a duplicate of the working theme.
Questions people ask
Can I edit the Shopify checkout code?
Not directly any more. Changes are made with checkout extensions and apps.
Is it my theme or Shopify?
If the default theme works, it is your theme or an app.