A broken checkout converts traffic into frustration. This guide covers the five most common PrestaShop checkout failures on a SmartXHosting-hosted store, their root causes, and the fixes that restore revenue quickly.
Checkout page will not load • No shipping methods available • Payment method missing or failing • “Invalid token” errors • Tax calculation wrong • Order placed but no confirmation email • FAQ
Symptom: customer clicks proceed to checkout, spinning wheel, blank page. Causes:
npm run build in theme directory) or reset to Classic theme via Module Manager.Customer reaches shipping step, no options. Causes:
Causes:
PrestaShop uses CSRF tokens for form security. “Invalid token” during checkout usually means:
Fix: close extra tabs, clear browser cookies, try incognito. If systemic, check Redis connectivity on server side.
Customer sees wrong total — usually UK VAT handling issue:
Causes:
Full diagnostic in the dedicated article PrestaShop Email Notifications Not Sending.
PrestaShop hosting with fast checkout diagnostics
SmartXHosting support has full access to PrestaShop logs, Redis, PHP-FPM and gateway responses — diagnosing checkout incidents in minutes.
See PrestaShop plansQ: Test in incognito — if it works, is it my customer?
A: Likely yes — their browser cache/extensions. Share a troubleshooting guide: clear cookies, disable extensions, try different browser.
Q: How do I see which customer was affected?
A: Sell › Shopping Carts shows active and abandoned carts with customer info if logged in.
Q: Does SmartXHosting monitor my checkout?
A: Platform-level monitoring tests end-to-end order flow periodically. Automated paging on failure.
Q: Can I see a log of failed payments?
A: Advanced Parameters › Logs captures payment errors. Gateway dashboard (Stripe/PayPal) shows their side.
Q: How do I disable a broken payment method temporarily?
A: Improve › Payment › Payment Methods › toggle off. Customers see only remaining options.
Q: Peak traffic causes checkout errors.
A: Consider upgrading plan. SmartXHosting can burst-scale for sales events if notified in advance.
Q: Customer says “payment declined” but their card works elsewhere.
A: Gateway fraud filter triggered. Check Stripe/PayPal dashboard for decline reason; add exemption if legitimate.