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Fixing the 'WooCommerce Admin Required' Error in Google Listings & Ads

20 threads Sep 28, 2025 Plugin → Google for woocommerce

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If you're trying to set up the Google Listings & Ads plugin and encounter the error message "Google Listings and Ads requires WooCommerce Admin to be enabled," you're not alone. This is a common issue that prevents users from accessing the plugin's setup wizard and configuration pages. This guide will explain why this error occurs and walk you through the most effective solutions.

Why Does This Error Happen?

Historically, WooCommerce Admin was a separate plugin. However, it was merged into WooCommerce core starting with version 4.0. The Google Listings & Ads plugin depends on the features provided by this integrated WooCommerce Admin component. The error appears when something on your site is actively disabling or interfering with WooCommerce Admin.

Common Causes and Their Solutions

1. A Plugin or Theme is Disabling WooCommerce Admin

The most frequent cause is another plugin or your theme's functions.php file adding a filter to disable WooCommerce Admin. This is often done by performance or "bloat reduction" plugins.

How to Fix It:

  1. Check for the Disabling Code: Search your theme's functions.php file and the settings of any installed optimization plugins (like "Disable Bloat for WordPress & WooCommerce") for the following line of code: 
    add_filter( 'woocommerce_admin_disabled', '__return_true' );
    If you find it, remove it.
  2. Conflict Test: If you can't find the code, perform a conflict test:
    1. Deactivate all plugins except WooCommerce and Google Listings & Ads.
    2. Switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four.
    3. Check if the error disappears. If it does, reactivate your plugins and theme one by one to identify the culprit.

2. Outdated or Incompatible Software

While less common, running outdated versions of WordPress, WooCommerce, or PHP can sometimes lead to unexpected issues.

How to Fix It:

  • Ensure you are running the latest versions of WordPress, WooCommerce, and the Google Listings & Ads plugin.
  • Verify that your PHP version meets the plugin's requirements (7.4 or later, with 64-bit support recommended). You can check this in your WordPress dashboard under Tools > Site Health > Info > Server.

Summary

The "WooCommerce Admin Required" error is almost always a conflict caused by code that disables the WooCommerce Admin features. By systematically checking for and removing this disabling code, you can resolve the issue and proceed with setting up your product listings and ads. If you continue to experience problems after trying these steps, sharing your site's System Status Report (found under WooCommerce > Status) can help in diagnosing more complex conflicts.

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