Fixing the 'Google for WooCommerce' Connection Loop and Disconnect Issues
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Many WooCommerce store owners encounter a frustrating problem: the 'Google for WooCommerce' plugin gets stuck in a connection loop, fails to connect entirely, or disconnects repeatedly. This guide compiles the most effective solutions from community reports to help you establish a stable connection between your store and Google's services.
Why This Happens
The connection process between WooCommerce and Google Merchant Center is complex. Common causes for failure include:
- Incomplete Permissions: Not granting all required permissions during the initial Google account connection.
- Cached Data: Browser or server caching interfering with the connection process.
- Plugin Conflicts: Other plugins, particularly caching or security plugins, blocking the API calls.
- Existing Connections: Lingering connections from previous setup attempts causing conflicts.
- Account Structure: Complex Google account structures with multiple Merchant Center or manager accounts.
Most Effective Solutions
1. Perform a Complete Reset
The most reliable first step is to completely clear any existing connections. Navigate to your WordPress admin area and visit this URL (replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain):
yourdomain.com/wp-admin/admin.php?page=connection-test-admin-page
On this page:
- Click "MC Disconnect" under the Merchant Center section
- Click "Disconnect Google Account" under the Google Account section
- If applicable, disconnect Jetpack as well
After disconnecting everything, return to Marketing > Google Listings & Ads and begin the setup process again.
2. Clear All Caching
Caching can prevent the plugin from functioning correctly:
- Clear your browser cache or try using an incognito/private browsing window
- Clear any server-side caching (if using a caching plugin, temporarily disable it)
- Clear your CDN cache if using services like Cloudflare
3. Check for Plugin Conflicts
Temporarily disable all plugins except WooCommerce and Google Listings & Ads. If the connection works, reactivate your plugins one by one to identify the conflicting plugin.
4. Verify Google Account Permissions
Ensure you're granting all required permissions when connecting your Google account. The connection will fail if any permissions are denied. You can review and manage app permissions in your Google Account security settings.
5. Check Server Logs for Errors
Navigate to WooCommerce > Status > Logs and look for logs beginning with "google-listings-and-ads-". These logs often contain specific error messages that can pinpoint the exact issue, such as authentication problems or API errors.
6. Verify Website URL Claims
If you see errors about "Unable to claim this URL," ensure your website URL in WordPress matches exactly what's verified in Google Search Console and Merchant Center. Even slight differences (www vs. non-www, http vs. https) can cause claim failures.
When to Seek Additional Help
If these steps don't resolve your connection issues, you may need to:
- Check that your WordPress site meets all technical requirements for the plugin
- Verify that your server allows outgoing connections to Google's APIs
- Ensure you're using a compatible PHP version (PHP 7.4 or newer)
- Confirm that your Google Merchant Center account is properly set up and verified
Persistent connection issues often require examining specific error messages from your server logs. The 'Google for WooCommerce' team maintains detailed documentation that can provide additional guidance for complex scenarios.
Related Support Threads Support
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Loops after i connect to my google merchant center accounthttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/loops-after-i-connect-to-my-google-merchant-center-account/
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Can’t sync with Google Merchant Centerhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/cant-sync-with-google-merchant-center/
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There was an error loading your merchant center product statistics. Merchant Cenhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/there-was-an-error-loading-your-merchant-center-product-statistics-merchant-cen/
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Cannot connect Woocommerce and Google Merchanthttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-connect-woocommerce-and-google-merchant/
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Disconnects “all the time”https://wordpress.org/support/topic/disconnects-all-the-time/
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Connect to google merchant not workinghttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/connect-to-google-merchant-not-working/
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Plugin google account automatically disconnectedhttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-google-account-automatically-disconnected/
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Cannot connect to google merchanthttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-connect-to-google-merchant-2/
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I can’t connect my store to my Google Merchant account via this plugin.https://wordpress.org/support/topic/i-cant-connect-my-store-to-my-google-merchant-account-via-this-plugin/
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Second step is not workinghttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/second-step-is-not-working-2/
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not create api conection in google merchanthttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/not-create-api-conection-in-google-merchant/
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Plugin Disconnects merchant account every 2-3 hourshttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-disconnects-merchant-account-every-2-3-hours/
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Required to sync with Google Merchant Center and Google Ads Loophttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/required-to-sync-with-google-merchant-center-and-google-ads-loop/
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Can’t reconnect my Google account to GoogleMerchanthttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/cant-reconnect-my-google-account-to-googlemerchant/
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Google listing won’t connect after disconnecthttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/google-listing-wont-connect-after-disconnect/
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Delete Merchant Accounthttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/delete-merchant-account/
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Connecting to google goes back and does nothinghttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/connecting-to-google-goes-back-and-does-nothing-2/
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Merchant Accounts not available to WooCommercehttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/merchant-accounts-not-available-to-woocommerce/
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Missing Data Sourceshttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/missing-data-sources/
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sync with Google Merchant Center and Google Ads.https://wordpress.org/support/topic/sync-with-google-merchant-center-and-google-ads/
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Unable to claim website URL with this Merchant Center Account.https://wordpress.org/support/topic/unable-to-claim-website-url-with-this-merchant-center-account-2/
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Cant connecthttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/cant-connect-36/
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There was an issue granting access to Google for fetching your products.https://wordpress.org/support/topic/there-was-an-issue-granting-access-to-google-for-fetching-your-products-2/
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“Merchant Center account is not set up.” after setuphttps://wordpress.org/support/topic/merchant-link-is-not-available-to-accept-during-setup/