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Understanding and Fixing Common Mailchimp for WooCommerce Update Issues

18 threads Sep 16, 2025 Plugin → Mailchimp for woocommerce

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Updating the Mailchimp for WooCommerce plugin is a common task for store owners, but it can sometimes lead to unexpected errors and confusion. Based on community reports, this guide covers the most frequent update-related problems and how to resolve them.

Common Update Issues and Their Solutions

1. PHP Version Compatibility Errors

The Problem: Users receive an error stating the plugin requires a newer version of PHP, even when running a compatible version like PHP 7.2. In other cases, users on older PHP versions (like 5.6) are unsure if they can update.

Why It Happens: The plugin's codebase evolves to use features from newer, more secure, and faster PHP versions. The plugin's metadata specifies a minimum required version, which can sometimes cause false positives or confusion.

The Solution:

  • Confirm Your PHP Version: Double-check your actual PHP version in your hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel) or using a plugin like "Display PHP Version."
  • Verify the Plugin: Ensure you are updating the correct "Mailchimp for WooCommerce" plugin and not a similarly named one like "Mailchimp for WordPress" or "WooCommerce MailChimp."
  • Upgrade PHP: For long-term stability and security, upgrading to at least PHP 7.4 is highly recommended. The Mailchimp for WooCommerce team has historically supported older versions like 5.6 in specific plugin releases, but this compatibility is not guaranteed for future updates.

2. "Not Tested With Your Version of WooCommerce" Warning

The Problem: WooCommerce displays a warning that the Mailchimp plugin has not been tested with the latest version of WooCommerce, causing concern before updating.

Why It Happens: This is a standard WordPress.org notice that appears when the plugin author hasn't manually updated the "Tested up to" field in the plugin's readme file immediately after a new WooCommerce release. It is not necessarily an indicator of incompatibility.

The Solution:

  • Check the support forums for confirmation. The Mailchimp for WooCommerce team often replies to these warnings (as seen in Threads 2, 14, and 17) to confirm compatibility shortly after a new WooCommerce version is released.
  • In most cases, the plugin is compatible. For example, the team confirmed compatibility with WooCommerce 4.0 in v2.3.5 and with 4.2.x in a forum response.

3. Changelog Availability and Understanding

The Problem: Users cannot find the plugin's changelog on the WordPress.org repository page, or find the technical notes in the changelog difficult to understand.

Why It Happens: The placement of the changelog has changed over time. Furthermore, changelogs are often written for developers and maintainers, not necessarily for end-users.

The Solution:

  • Find the Changelog: The official changelog is maintained on the plugin's GitHub repository: https://github.com/mailchimp/mc-woocommerce/blob/master/CHANGELOG.txt.
  • Understanding Changes: If a changelog entry is unclear (e.g., "add filter for products to be pushed or not"), it typically refers to a new code filter for developers to customize functionality. For most users, it means the update contains under-the-hood improvements and bug fixes. If you're unsure, you can wait a few days after a major release to update and monitor the support forum for any reported issues.

4. Fatal Errors or Missing Database Tables After Update

The Problem: After updating, the site experiences a fatal error, or a critical function like the cart stops working, often with an error referencing missing database tables like wp_actionscheduler_actions.

Why It Happens: These errors are often caused by incomplete updates, conflicts with other plugins, or issues with the Action Scheduler library that the plugin uses to process tasks in the background.

The Solution:

  • Update Everything: Ensure your WordPress, WooCommerce, and all other plugins are updated to their latest versions to minimize conflicts.
  • Check the GitHub Wiki: The Mailchimp for WooCommerce team maintains a detailed wiki with troubleshooting steps for common issues: https://github.com/mailchimp/mc-woocommerce/wiki.
  • Re-Install the Plugin: As a last resort, you can try the nuclear option: disconnect the plugin from your Mailchimp account (via WooCommerce > Mailchimp), delete the plugin from your Plugins page, and then re-install and reconnect it. This often forces a clean installation and can resolve underlying database issues.

Best Practices for a Smooth Update

  1. Always Backup: Complete a full backup of your site's files and database before updating any plugin.
  2. Stage First: Test major updates on a staging site before applying them to your live store.
  3. Read the Forum: Quickly scan the plugin's support forum for recent posts about the new version to see if others are reporting widespread issues.
  4. Keep PHP Updated: Maintain a modern PHP version (7.4 or higher) to ensure compatibility and security.

By understanding these common pitfalls, you can update the Mailchimp for WooCommerce plugin with greater confidence and quickly resolve any issues that may arise.

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