Back to Community
Home / Community / Plugin → Mailchimp for woocommerce

Mailchimp for WooCommerce Not Syncing? Common Causes and Solutions

36 threads Sep 9, 2025 Plugin → Mailchimp for woocommerce

Content

If your Mailchimp for WooCommerce plugin is stuck syncing, showing zero synced orders and products, or has suddenly stopped working, you're not alone. This is one of the most frequently reported issues with the plugin. Based on community support threads, here are the most common causes and their solutions.

Why Sync Problems Occur

The sync process relies on a complex interaction between your WordPress site's scheduling system (WP-Cron), your hosting environment, and the Mailchimp API. When any one of these components is misconfigured, overloaded, or blocked, the synchronization process can halt.

Most Common Solutions

1. Check and Enable WP-Cron

The plugin uses WordPress's built-in cron system (WP-Cron) to handle the background sync tasks. If WP-Cron is disabled, the sync will not proceed past the initial stage.

  • How to Check: In your WordPress admin, go to WooCommerce > Status. Under the "WordPress Environment" section, look for "WP Cron". It should say "Enabled".
  • If Disabled: Contact your hosting provider and ask them to ensure WP-Cron is enabled. Some hosts disable it in favor of a system-level cron job. If you use a real server cron, you must ensure it is correctly configured to trigger WordPress's cron system.

2. Investigate Hosting Resource Limits

A large initial sync can consume significant CPU and memory resources. Many hosts, especially on shared hosting plans, impose limits that can cause the sync to fail silently.

  • CPU Throttling: Providers like SiteGround have CPU credit systems. If you exhaust your credits, processes may be throttled or halted, even if you don't receive a specific warning. Contact your host to confirm your resource usage is normal.
  • PHP Limits: Increase your PHP memory limit (aim for 512MB or 1GB for a large store) and max execution time. You can often do this by editing your wp-config.php file or via your hosting control panel.

3. Perform a Conflict Test

Theme and plugin conflicts are a prime suspect for erratic behavior, including settings pages disappearing or syncs failing.

  • Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four.
  • Disable all plugins except for WooCommerce and Mailchimp for WooCommerce.
  • Attempt to start a new sync. If it works, re-enable your plugins and theme one by one to identify the culprit.

4. Clear Stuck Transients and Reset the Plugin

Sometimes, a transient (a piece of temporary data) can become stuck, preventing the sync queue from advancing.

  • Using a plugin like "Transient Manager" or a database tool, look for and delete any transients related to mailchimp-woocommerce or http_worker_lock.
  • As a last resort, perform a clean reinstall:
    1. Disconnect the store in your Mailchimp account under Connected Sites.
    2. Deactivate and delete the Mailchimp for WooCommerce plugin from WordPress.
    3. Reinstall and reactivate the latest version of the plugin.
    4. Go through the connection setup process again.

5. Review the Logs

The plugin's logs are the best place to find specific error messages.

  • Go to the plugin's Settings tab and set "Logging" to "Standard" or "Debug".
  • Attempt to sync again, then check the Logs tab for errors. Common errors include order_submit.error or API communication issues, which can point to a more specific problem.
  • If you see a repetitive error about a specific order or product, it may be causing the queue to get stuck. Try editing that item to see if it allows the sync to continue.

When to Provide More Information

If none of the above steps work, the problem may be more complex. Before seeking further help, gather this information:

  • Plugin Version: The version of Mailchimp for WooCommerce you are using.
  • PHP Version: 7.2 or higher is recommended.
  • WooCommerce Error Logs: Check WooCommerce > Status > Logs for any fatal-error logs.
  • Remote Diagnostics: Enable the "Remote Diagnostics" option in the plugin's Settings tab, as this often allows for a deeper investigation.

Syncing issues can be frustrating, but methodically working through these common causes will resolve the problem in most cases.

Related Support Threads Support