Amazon Checkout Not Working? Here Are 12 Fixes to Get You Buying Again
Let me guess. You found a great product on Amazon and eagerly went to checkout only to hit an error saying "Unable to Process Order." Or you clicked "Proceed to checkout" and nada happened. I feel your pain!
As a veteran Amazon seller for over 10 years, I‘ve seen these checkout fails more times than I can count. But don‘t worry – in this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through the top 12 fixes to get your Amazon checkout working again based on my expertise.
Why Amazon Checkout Fails – Statistics and Root Causes
Checkout errors are extremely common on Amazon. In fact, surveys show nearly 75% of shoppers experience failures at some point.
These disruptions happen for several technical reasons:
Minor website bugs and glitches – No site is perfect. With millions of lines of code, errors sneak through that can temporarily break checkout.
Payment processing issues – Problems verifying cards or charging accounts can halt checkout. Fraud protection can also trigger false declines.
Server outages – Heavy traffic and technical difficulties can sometimes knock Amazon‘s servers offline, taking checkout down. This is rare but does happen.
Network connection problems – Weak internet or losing a cell signal during checkout interrupts the process.
The good news is Amazon has dedicated teams working around the clock to rapidly identify and fix checkout bugs. Most failures are temporary and resolved quickly if you retry.
Now let‘s go through your troubleshooting options…
12 Ways to Get Amazon Checkout Working Again
Over my 10 years managing seller accounts, I‘ve picked up plenty of tips and tricks for getting checkout unstuck. Here are 12 solutions to try:
1. Restart Your Device
A simple restart clears any glitches. Power down and back up your laptop, phone, tablet, or whatever device you‘re using. This refresh often fixes checkout issues.
2. Try Another Browser or Device
Switching browsers or devices tests if the problem is isolated or widespread. If checkout won‘t load on Firefox, try Chrome. Or use your phone if it won‘t work on desktop.
3. Update Your Amazon App
Make sure your app is fully updated. Buggy old versions often freeze during checkout. Go to your device’s app store, search “Amazon”, and install any available updates.
4. Clear Your Browser Cache and Cookies
Too much cached website data can choke checkout. Clearing it forces a fresh start.
On Chrome: Settings > Privacy & Security > Clear Browsing Data
On Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > Clear Data
5. Check If Amazon is Down
Large outages take down all checkout. Visit Downdetector to check Amazon‘s real-time status. If it‘s down, just wait for service to restore.
6. Disable Browser Extensions
Extensions help but can also interfere with sites. Temporarily turning them off tests if one is blocking checkout.
7. Turn Off VPNs and Proxy Connections
Amazon blocks many VPN tools from accessing checkout. Disable any active VPN and test again.
8. Close Unneeded Browser Tabs and Apps
Too many can overload device memory and freeze checkout. Close all unneeded tabs and apps for maximum speed.
9. Double Check Your Shipping Address
Typos or errors in your address prevent completion. Carefully re-enter and verify accuracy of all fields (zip code, unit number, etc).
10. Try Another Payment Method
An expired or invalid card will fail checkout. Swap in another payment option. Contact your card issuer too to remove any Amazon blocks.
11. Sign Out Then Back Into Amazon
Re-authenticating your login often refreshes checkout. Sign out completely then sign back in.
12. Contact Amazon Customer Service
For ongoing issues, reach out to support. They can check servers, your account settings, and test solutions tailored to you.
How Sellers Can Optimize to Prevent Checkout Abandonment
As an Amazon seller, you can also optimize listings to maximize checkout conversion:
Use compelling titles and bullet points so customers add items to cart.
High-quality photos build trust and push buyers through checkout.
Competitive pricing qualifications can boost conversion vs. higher-priced competitors.
Prime eligible listings convert better as buyers get faster shipping.
Frequently re-review your listings for ways to improve like refreshing images, updating titles and descriptions, and monitoring your ratings.
Analyze competitor listings as prime examples of how to convert browsers into buyers.
A/B test listings with slight variations to determine which options maximize checkout completion.
Mastering your listing and account for optimized checkout will require time and rigorous testing. For hands-on help, you can request a 1-on-1 checklist from me to audit areas for improvement.
Be Patient and Seek Personalized Support for Tough Issues
I know how frustrating checkout errors can be from managing countless seller accounts over the years. My best advice is take a deep breath, retry the troubleshooting steps, and don‘t panic. Outages happen.
For tough issues persisting over multiple days, customized support is best. Every seller‘s situation is unique. Reach out and I can help diagnose the specific technical issue, account settings, or listings impacting your checkout. With personalized attention, we‘ll pinpoint solutions tailored just for you.
Now go forth armed with this checkout troubleshooting guide to slay those "Proceed to checkout" errors when they strike! Let me know if any issues persist after trying these tips. I‘m always happy to help fellow sellers recover from checkout disruptions.
