Struggling to place an order on Etsy? Try these 8 possible fixes
Several of my clients contacted me during the past 30 days complaining about their inability to check out. Everything seemed right, but for some reason, the cart returned an error.
I've contacted Etsy support each time, but aside from reassuring me that my shop is okay and that the issue was forwarded to the department in charge, nothing seems to have changed. It's a sad situation because I would love to help my buyers, but I'm completely unable to. So, I’ve compiled this guide to help buyers navigate common cart issues and, hopefully, get the checkout process working smoothly.
1. Verify Item Availability
One possible reason for cart errors is that some items in your cart may no longer be available. Etsy doesn’t always update the cart in real-time, so an item that was in stock when you added it may have sold out before checkout.
Solution:
- Check your cart for any notifications like “This item is no longer available.”
- If you see this message, remove the unavailable item by clicking the trash can icon next to it and proceed with the rest of your order.
2. Check Shipping Address Details
Incorrect or incomplete shipping information can prevent your order from processing correctly.
How to Fix:
- Go to **Account Settings** > **Addresses** and ensure your shipping information is accurate.
- You can also edit your shipping address directly from the cart before clicking "Proceed to Checkout."
3. Review Payment Methods
Payment errors are a common cause of checkout issues. Ensure that the payment method you’ve selected has valid details and enough funds to complete the purchase.
Troubleshooting Payment:
- Confirm that your billing address matches the address associated with your payment method.
- Make sure your credit/debit card is not expired.
- If using PayPal, double-check that your account is properly linked.
- Try an alternate payment method if your primary method isn't working.
4. Clear Cache and Cookies
Sometimes, your browser stores outdated information that can interfere with the checkout process. Clearing the cache and cookies may help resolve this issue.
How to Clear Cache:
- On Chrome: Go to **Settings** > **Privacy and Security** > **Clear Browsing Data** and select **Cookies and other site data** and **Cached images and files**.
- Restart your browser and attempt to check out again.
5. Disable Browser Extensions
Certain extensions, especially ad blockers or security add-ons, might interfere with Etsy’s checkout system.
To Disable Extensions:
- On Chrome: Go to **Settings** > **Extensions**, and disable any you suspect could be the cause of the issue.
- Refresh the Etsy page and try completing your purchase.
6. Switch or Update Your Browser
Etsy performs best on the latest versions of browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. An outdated browser can lead to cart and checkout errors.
What to Do:
- Update your browser to the latest version or switch to a different one.
- Try clearing the cache on the new browser as well before checking out.
7. Use the Etsy Mobile App
If the desktop site isn’t working, switching to the Etsy mobile app can sometimes help avoid technical issues that may be specific to a browser or device.
- Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, log in, and attempt to complete your checkout there.
8. Contact Etsy Support
If none of the above steps solve the issue, the problem could be related to Etsy's system. In such cases, the best approach is to reach out to Etsy Support for further assistance.
- Visit [Etsy’s Help Center](https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us) and submit a ticket about the issue under the **Buying on Etsy** category.
There have been issues with Etsy's checkout system recently, which appear to be causing issues for many buyers. While these technical challenges can be frustrating, following these troubleshooting steps may help resolve the issue on your end while Etsy continues working to fix the underlying issues.
Seller's Concerns Regarding Checkout Issues
As a seller, it’s frustrating to see buyers face checkout issues, especially when there’s nothing more I can do to help. None of the buyers who contacted me through Etsy have been able to place an order, and it’s concerning that not everyone who encounters these issues reaches out. This leaves me wondering:
- How many sales will I lose before the issue is resolved?
- How much have I already lost?
- How many potential clients view this as an issue with my brand, rather than the platform?
These are difficult questions, but until Etsy resolves these technical issues, I encourage buyers to follow the troubleshooting steps provided. However, if those solutions don’t resolve the issues and we sellers aren’t allowed to facilitate purchases outside of Etsy, it leaves us in a difficult position. Our hands are tied.
