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Fixing the 'Unable to Connect WordPress.com Account' Error in Google for WooCommerce

22 threads Sep 22, 2025 Plugin → Google for woocommerce

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One of the most common hurdles when setting up the Google for WooCommerce plugin is getting stuck at the very first step: connecting your WordPress.com account. Users frequently report seeing errors like "Unable to connect your WordPress.com account. Please try again later" or finding that the setup wizard loops back to the connection step even after a seemingly successful login.

This guide will walk you through the reasons this happens and provide the most effective solutions based on community-reported fixes.

Why Does This Connection Error Occur?

The plugin requires a connection to WordPress.com to facilitate communication between your store and Google's services. The connection process relies on several technical components working correctly. Based on user reports, the error typically stems from one of these issues:

  • A Previously Connected Account: The site might already be linked to a different WordPress.com account (e.g., from a previous developer or agency), causing a conflict.
  • XML-RPC Connection Issues: The plugin uses XML-RPC to communicate with WordPress.com servers. If this file is blocked by a security plugin, your hosting provider, or a firewall, the connection will fail.
  • Caching or Security Plugins: Aggressive caching or security rules can interfere with the authentication redirects and API calls necessary for the connection.
  • Account Permissions: The WordPress.com account used might not have the correct permissions or could be associated with a different Jetpack connection.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Solutions

Solution 1: Clear Any Existing Connection (The Most Common Fix)

If the plugin is stuck trying to use an old or incorrect WordPress.com account, you must clear it completely. This is the most frequently successful solution.

  1. Navigate to your site's Connection Test Page. The URL is:
    https://YOURSITE.com/wp-admin/admin.php?page=connection-test-admin-page
    (Replace YOURSITE.com with your actual domain).
  2. On this page, you will see sections for Merchant Center, Google Account, and Jetpack.
  3. Click "MC Disconnect" under the Merchant Center section.
  4. Click "Disconnect Google Account" under the Google Account section.
  5. Most importantly, under the Jetpack section, click "Disconnect Jetpack". This severs the link to the WordPress.com account. Note: If you don't see a Jetpack disconnect option, you may need to install the Jetpack plugin temporarily to complete this step, as mentioned in some user experiences.
  6. Once everything is disconnected, go back to Marketing > Google Listings & Ads and start the setup again.

Solution 2: Check and Enable XML-RPC

XML-RPC must be accessible for the connection to work. To test it, simply visit https://YOURSITE.com/xmlrpc.php. You should see a message like "XML-RPC server accepts POST requests only." If you see a 404, 403, or 500 error, it means the file is blocked.

  • Check Security Plugins: Temporarily disable security plugins like Wordfence or iThemes Security and try the connection again. If it works, check the plugin's settings to allow requests from *.wordpress.com and ensure XML-RPC is not disabled.
  • Contact Your Host: Some hosting providers block XML-RPC by default for security. Contact their support and ask them to unblock XML-RPC for your domain, specifically for connections to and from WordPress.com.

Solution 3: Perform a Conflict Test

Sometimes, other plugins or your theme can cause conflicts.

  1. Switch your theme to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four or Storefront temporarily.
  2. Deactivate all plugins except for WooCommerce and Google Listings & Ads.
  3. Attempt to connect your WordPress.com account again.
  4. If it works, reactivate your plugins and theme one by one, testing the connection after each, to identify the culprit.

Tip: Use the free "Health Check & Troubleshooting" plugin to do this without affecting your live site's visitors.

Solution 4: Ensure You Have a Free WordPress.com Account

You do not need a paid WordPress.com plan or to host your site with them. You only need a free account. If you don't have one, you can sign up for a free account here. You do not need to create a new website on WordPress.com; just create the user account.

What to Do If You're Still Stuck

If none of the above solutions work, gather the following information, as it will be crucial for further troubleshooting:

  • System Status Report: Go to WooCommerce > Status, click "Get system report", and then "Copy for support".
  • Error Logs: Check for any relevant errors in WooCommerce > Status > Logs.
  • Screenshots: Take screenshots of the exact error messages you see during the process.

By methodically working through these steps, you can resolve the WordPress.com connection issue and proceed with setting up Google Listings & Ads for your store.

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