Discount not applying
On this page
Use this page when a discount does not show in the cart or at checkout, or takes off less than you expect. Find the row that matches what you see.
AndOr discounts run as Shopify Functions, so they show in the cart and at checkout. Shipping discounts show once the shopper enters an address.
Is the discount live?
| Cause | How to tell | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The rule is a draft | Status shows Draft. A draft only runs for the test email shown in its Status card. | Test with that email, or click Activate. |
| The rule was deactivated | Status shows it was deactivated. | Click Activate. |
| Scheduled or expired | Active dates shows Scheduled or Expired, in store time. An expired rule does not apply, even when its status is Active. | Check the start and end against “Current store time”. |
| Status changed in the Shopify admin | The rule editor says “Status changes made in the Shopify admin won’t be reflected here.” | Change the status in AndOr only. |
| Plan rule limit or downgrade | “You’ve reached your plan rule limit”. After a downgrade, all active rules are turned off. | Activate rules within your limit, or upgrade. See Rule limit reached. |
Does the cart qualify?
| Cause | How to tell | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| A condition isn’t met | The cart or customer doesn’t match. Examples: Order subtotal amount of 100 with a 90 cart, Customer tags with a guest, or outside Day of the week. | Test with a cart and customer that match, or use Always. |
| A minimum in Advanced settings isn’t met | Require minimum quantity for specific products, Require minimum subtotal for specific products or Require minimum order subtotal is on. | Lower or turn off the minimum. |
| The items aren’t in scope | Applies to doesn’t match the cart. An empty Specific products list matches nothing. | Fix the selection. |
| Gift cards | Gift cards never get a discount and don’t count toward the subtotal. | Nothing to fix. Shopify works this way. |
| Another currency | Amounts are compared as they are in the cart’s currency, with no conversion. A 2,045 CAD cart clears a 2,000 minimum. | Set amounts with this in mind, or use one rule per currency. |
| It needs a code | Method is Discount code. | The shopper types the code, or switch to Automatic discount. |
| The usage limit is reached | Maximum discount uses is set. | Raise or remove the limit. |
Did another discount win?
| Cause | How to tell | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| A discount that can’t combine won | Checkout shows another discount. The shopper may see “You already have a better combination”. | In Combinations, tick the matching type on both discounts, or deactivate the other one. See “Can’t be combined” notes. |
| Free shipping lost | Shipping is charged and another discount applied. When they can’t combine, Shopify prefers product and order discounts. | Let them combine on both sides. |
| Discount strategy picked one | First match applies the first, Maximum discount the biggest, All matches each on its own items. | Pick the strategy you want. |
| An AndOr rule rejected the code | Enable discount code rejection is on and the code is in Discount codes to reject. The shopper sees your Rejection message. It only rejects when that rule’s own discount applies. | Remove the code from the list, or turn rejection off. |
Shopify limits
| Cause | How to tell | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 25 automatic discounts | A store can have 25 active automatic discounts, app discounts included. | Deactivate the ones you don’t use. |
| The rule is too big | Rule size shows it is over the limit. | Remove values or split the rule. See Rule size. |
| Draft order checkout | The Limitations card says draft order checkouts are not supported. | Test on the storefront checkout. See Limits. |
Note Going over your plan’s monthly orders is not the cause. At 110%, offers and widgets pause, but discounts still apply.
Still stuck?
Email andor@backtrackhq.com or use the chat in the app. Tell us the discount name and what the cart had in it.
See it in action