# Rule not working at checkout

> A checklist for when a checkout rule or discount rule does not apply, plus the Shopify limits that no rule can get around.

Source: https://backtrackhq.com/docs/help/rule-not-working/

Most of the time a rule that "does nothing" is a status, a test cart
or a Shopify limit. Work down this list.

## 1. Check the basics

- **Is the rule Active?** A **Draft** rule runs only for the
  [test email](https://backtrackhq.com/docs/get-started/test-before-going-live/) shown in its
  **Status** card. An **Inactive** rule never runs. Open
  **Rules** and check the **Status** column.
- **Is it scheduled?** A status of **Active (Scheduled)** starts later.
  **Active (Expired)** has ended. Check the rule's **Active dates**.
- **Does your test cart meet the conditions?** Check each condition
  against your cart: the total, the country, the products, the
  customer.
- **Are you testing the real storefront checkout?** Payment, shipping
  and validation rules do not run in a cart or product preview.
  Payment and shipping rules also don't show while you build a draft
  order in the admin.
- **Did you give it a few seconds?** For payment and shipping rules,
  let the checkout refresh after you save.
- **Did you reach your plan's rule limit?** A rule over the limit can't
  be activated. See [Rule limit reached](https://backtrackhq.com/docs/help/rule-limit-reached/).

(Screenshot: The rules list with the Status column)

## 2. Check how the conditions combine

- Inside a rule group, **All rule passes** needs every condition to
  match. **Any rule passes** needs just one.
- Rule blocks are joined by **Or**. The rule matches when any one
  block matches.
- For text conditions with several values, like `US, CA`, the rule
  matches any one of them.

See
[Conditions, groups and blocks](https://backtrackhq.com/docs/building-rules/conditions-and-groups/).

## 3. Check the Shopify limits

Some things no app can change at checkout. The **Limitations** card on
each rule lists the ones for that rule type.

- **Draft orders:** payment and shipping rules don't show while you
  build a draft order in the admin. They do apply when the customer
  opens the draft order's checkout. Validation rules also run on draft
  orders.
- **Shop Pay:** payment rules don't change the methods inside Shop
  Pay, apart from gift cards.
- **Logos:** payment methods shown as a logo (Shop Pay, Apple Pay,
  Google Pay, gift card) can't be renamed. Express and wallet methods
  can be hidden, but not reordered.
- **Local delivery and pickup:** shipping rules can hide, rename and
  reorder local delivery and local pickup options too.
- **Point of sale:** rules don't run in Shopify POS.
- **Shopify plan:** the app works on all Shopify plans except Shopify
  Starter.
- **Shopify Plus conditions:** conditions marked **Plus required**,
  such as **Selected payment method (Plus required)**, need Shopify
  Plus. They also don't match in express checkouts such as Apple Pay
  or Google Pay.

(Screenshot: The Limitations card on a rule)

## 4. Discount rules

For the full list, see
[Discount not applying](https://backtrackhq.com/docs/help/discount-not-applying/).

- **Another discount won.** When two discounts can't be combined,
  Shopify applies only one. Check the **Combinations** card on both
  discounts. See ["Can't be combined" notes](https://backtrackhq.com/docs/help/cant-be-combined/).
- **Discount code rules:** a code discount applies only when the
  shopper types the code.
- **Rejecting discount codes:** an automatic order discount can reject
  codes with **Discount code rejection**, but only when the shopper
  enters the code. Shopify can't reject a code based on the shipping
  method. To block it there, use a checkout validation rule.

## 5. The rule is too big

Shopify gives each rule a fixed amount of space for its settings. The
**Rule size** card shows how much you use. If you are over the limit,
remove some values or split the list into two rules. See
[Rule size](https://backtrackhq.com/docs/building-rules/rule-size/).

## Still stuck?

Email andor@backtrackhq.com or use the chat in the app. Tell us the rule
name, what you expected and what the checkout showed.