Shopify randomly deleting SKUs and barcodes?

Retail & Point of Sale

Topic summary

A Shopify user reports a recurring issue where SKUs and barcodes are being deleted from products without manual intervention. The user created and printed barcodes for a product one day, only to find the barcode field blank the next day, preventing the product from scanning at POS.

Key Details:

  • No bulk editor or product modifications were made
  • Shopify’s AI support denies random deletion occurs
  • Issue is described as making the platform “borderline unusable”
  • User is considering migrating to a different POS system

Suggested Solutions:

  • External apps or CSV uploads may be overwriting barcode data with empty values
  • Enable product activity tracking using tools like Matrixify or Mechanic to monitor changes
  • Ensure apps use “only update if not blank” logic during inventory updates
  • Audit third-party integrations that might be sending empty field values

The issue remains unresolved with the user seeking additional help.

Summarized with AI on October 27. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Why is Shopify randomly deleting my SKUs/Barcodes?

I have noticed this as a constant, regular issue in our daily operations, and I have a definitive example just right now as we were attempting to update our inventory. I created barcodes for a product yesterday (they were printed out and attached to the item, so I know I didn’t just forget), and today the barcode field on the product is blank and the product no longer rings up.

I did not use the bulk editor or change anything about this product at all. This is extremely frustrating and makes Shopify borderline unusable.

I attempted to reach out to support but it just keeps giving me the AI answer of “It does not randomly delete barcodes!” and then lists a bunch of solutions that do not apply.

Any help would be appreciated before we are forced to migrate POSes.

2

Hi @wilburnch

This may happen when external applications or CSV uploads modify the product fields without keeping the original barcode data intact. An alternative solution is to enable product activity tracking (using tools like Matrixify or Mechanic) and keep an eye on any modifications. Additionally, avoid using apps that send over empty values. Implement “only update if not blank” logic during inventory updates.