2023 - This Store Can’t Accept Real Orders Or Real Payments

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

Store owners are encountering an error message preventing them from accepting real orders or payments, despite completing standard setup steps.

Common causes identified:

  • Payment gateway stuck in test mode (check Settings > Payments in Shopify admin or third-party gateway dashboard)
  • Store not on a paid Shopify subscription plan
  • Third-party payment provider issues, particularly with Stripe accounts that are disabled or pending verification
  • Browser caching problems

Troubleshooting steps recommended:

  • Test in incognito mode or clear cookies/cache
  • Try different browsers and devices
  • Verify payment gateway is not in test mode
  • Confirm Shopify subscription is active
  • Contact third-party payment provider (like Stripe) directly to verify account status

Resolution:
One user resolved the issue by clearing browser cookies. Another user with a pending card verification in Stripe was advised to contact Stripe support directly. A third user with Shopify Payments and successful test orders still experiencing the error was directed to contact Shopify’s live support team for account-specific troubleshooting.

The issue remains ongoing for some participants awaiting further support.

Summarized with AI on October 29. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Hi,

I have followed everything and still cannot get this to work ?

Test Mode on

No password

Payment Gateway set up with no errors

No page errors

Verification completed

What else could it be ? ..

Thanks in advance.

2

There’s different reasons why that could show but since you’ve mentioned that test mode is on that is likely why you’re seeing is. You can’t accept real payments when in test mode.

3

Hi, thanks for replying, I cant accept real or test orders, the message never seems to go away regardless of what setting I have.. I must be missing something..

4

Hi, @mistasmiff .

The cause of this error message can vary between stores, but typically it could be due to the following causes:

  1. The store’s payment gateway is in test mode, as Jason mentioned. To troubleshoot, check the Settings > Payments section in the Shopify admin to see if test mode is active for any of the store’s payment gateways. Some gateways don’t offer this control in the Shopify admin however, so in this case you’ll need to perform this context gathering in the dashboard of your third-party payment gateway.
  2. The store’s plan doesn’t allow payment processing. Have you chosen one of our paid subscription plans, in order to accept orders on your store?
  3. The store is using a third-party payment gateway that is triggering this error. This is most commonly seen with merchants using Stripe as a third party payment gateway, that have disabled accounts. If this is the case with your store, you’ll need to contact Stripe directly.

If you haven’t already done so, I also recommend troubleshooting this locally using the steps below, so that we can rule out any potential browser caching issues:

  • Try to complete a test order via an incognito window
  • Or, you can use your usual browser but to clear the browser’s cookies and cache prior to testing
  • You can also try another browser. For example, if you’re using Safari, you can try your tests on Chrome or Firefox
  • You can also try to use another device, such as your mobile or a tablet

Our live support team can also be contacted to help further troubleshoot the issue from our end, however you’ll need to contact us via the Help Center here so that we can authenticate you against the correct store. Once you’ve logged in on the Help Center, select a topic that best fits your query or situation. From there, you’ll be taken to a page with a list of relevant support articles, and you can scroll to the bottom of that page to select your preferred contact method with our team. We’ll then be able to take a closer look at your store securely from our end and assist further.

Have you launched your store, or are you still in the process of doing so?

5

It was an issue with my cookies :-), all sorted now

6

Thanks for the update, @mistasmiff . Glad to hear it’s been resolved!

As you continue to work on your store, if at any point you have any other questions, feel free to create a separate forum post so that our wider community here are able to help out.

Thanks and all the best!

7

Hello @Kimi_2 @Jason ,

This is my site link.It is not in test mode,using paid plan,stripe account verification complete but still showing this error " This Store Can’t Accept Real Orders Or Real Payments".

But one thing,here card is pending in my stripe account. Is this the reason ?

Rasel_0-1674181415037.png
Rasel_0-1674181415037.png1346×641 110 KB

8

Hi, @Rasel . Thanks for reaching out.

As Stripe is a third-party payment provider, I recommend reaching out to the Stripe support team directly so that they can check whether or not your payment account and gateway is ready for use on your store. If it’s not quite ready for use yet, it’s possible that it’s the cause of the error message you’re seeing.

Have you tried following the local troubleshooting steps I listed too, to see if it might be a browser caching issue on your end, similar to what Mistasmiff was experiencing?

9

Hello @Kimi_2 ,

Yeah I tried. not working .

Thank you Kimi

10

Gotcha, thanks for confirming, @Rasel .

If after contacting Stripe you’re still having issues with this, you can contact our live support team using the steps in my initial reply. Our team can then securely access your account from our end to further troubleshoot the situation.

Thanks!

11

I’m having a similar issue.

My store is on a paid subscription

It is not in test mode

It is using shopify payments

All test orders were successful

This issue exists on mobile, and two separate devices.

When switching off test mode an opening the store it says this store cannot accept payments right now.

Please contact me to help sort this out!