WooCommerce orders are managed in WooCommerce, Orders. Each order moves through statuses: Pending payment, Processing (paid, needs fulfilling), On hold (awaiting confirmation, for example bank transfer), Completed (shipped), Cancelled, Refunded and Failed. Open an order to see items, customer and payment details, add notes, print or email invoices, change the status when you ship, and issue full or partial refunds.
- Processing means paid and waiting for you to ship.
- Mark Completed when shipped; the customer gets an email.
- Use order notes for tracking numbers.
- Refunds can be automatic through supported gateways.
- Check Pending and Failed orders daily.
What do the order statuses mean?
| Status | Meaning | Your action |
|---|---|---|
| Pending payment | Order created, not paid | Wait or follow up |
| Processing | Paid | Pack and ship |
| On hold | Awaiting payment confirmation | Confirm, then Processing |
| Completed | Fulfilled | None |
| Cancelled | Cancelled by admin or customer | Restock if needed |
| Refunded | Money returned | None |
| Failed | Payment failed | Contact customer |
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What is a good daily order routine?
- Filter by Processing; pack and ship.
- Add the courier tracking number as a customer note.
- Mark Completed.
- Check On hold and Pending; confirm or follow up.
- For cash on delivery, confirm by phone before dispatch.
Picture a small shop owner spending five minutes each morning on this routine; nothing slips, and customers get timely emails at each step. For problems with paid orders stuck in pending, see WooCommerce checkout not working.
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Frequently asked questions
What does Processing mean in WooCommerce?
Payment was received and the order is waiting to be fulfilled.
How do I refund a WooCommerce order?
Open the order, click Refund, enter the amount and refund via the gateway or manually.
How do I add a tracking number?
Add it as a customer note on the order, or use a shipment tracking plugin.
Why are orders stuck in Pending payment?
Payment was not completed, or the gateway notification did not reach the site.
Sources
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Tanvir H is a Bangladesh-based WordPress and Elementor web designer with 7+ years of experience, 650+ projects and a 4.9 client rating. New websites, redesigns, fixes, speed, security and SEO, handled by one expert who explains everything in plain English and works with clients worldwide.
