How to unfulfill an order in Shopify?

Nov 20 • 2 min read

Knowledge Base > Shopify > How to unfulfill an order in Shopify?

Unfulfilling an order in Shopify is a necessary step if you’ve mistakenly marked an order as fulfilled or if there’s a change in the order’s fulfillment status due to various reasons like inventory issues or shipping delays. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you manage this process:

Log In to Your Shopify Admin Panel:

  • Start by logging into your Shopify admin account. This is your dashboard where you manage all aspects of your store.

Navigate to the Orders Section:

  • Once you’re logged in, click on the ‘Orders’ tab on the left-hand side of the dashboard. This will bring up a list of all the orders placed in your store.

Select the Order:

  • Find the order you want to unfulfill. You can use the search bar to quickly locate the order by typing in the order number, customer name, or other relevant details.

Review the Order’s Fulfillment Status:

  • Once you’ve selected the order, check its current fulfillment status. If the order is marked as fulfilled, it will show a status indicating this, often with a green check mark or similar indicator.

Unfulfill the Order:

  • If the order is marked as fulfilled and you need to unfulfill it, look for an option to ‘Edit’ or ‘Cancel Fulfillment.’ This option is usually found under the fulfillment status or in a drop-down menu related to the order.
    • Click on ‘Edit’ or ‘Cancel Fulfillment.’
    • Confirm your choice to unfulfill the order. Shopify might prompt you to confirm that you want to revert the order’s status.

Update the Inventory (If Needed):

  • When you unfulfill an order, it’s important to check if your inventory levels need to be adjusted. Shopify usually auto-adjusts the inventory for unfulfilled orders, but it’s good practice to verify this.

Communicate with the Customer:

  • If the unfulfillment is due to a delay or an issue on your end, it’s crucial to communicate with the customer. Send them an update explaining the situation and provide an estimated fulfillment date, if possible. Good communication can help maintain customer trust and satisfaction.

Refulfilling the Order (If Necessary):

  • If you need to refulfill the order later, you can do so by going back to the order and selecting the option to fulfill it, then follow the usual fulfillment process.

Keep Track of Unfulfilled Orders:

  • Maintain a record of unfulfilled orders to ensure they are managed appropriately. This can be done within Shopify or through an external order management system.

Seek Support if Needed:

  • If you encounter any issues or if the option to unfulfill an order is not available, don’t hesitate to contact Shopify support for assistance.

Remember, unfulfilling an order is a relatively straightforward process in Shopify, but it’s essential to handle it carefully to maintain inventory accuracy and customer satisfaction. Always double-check the details of the order and communicate clearly with your customers to avoid confusion and ensure a smooth experience.

 

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Common Questions

  • Can I unfulfill an order if it's already shipped?

    No, once an order is shipped, you cannot revert it to an unfulfilled status in Shopify. The unfulfill option is only available for orders that have been marked as fulfilled in the system but haven’t actually been shipped. If the order has already been dispatched, you’ll need to handle it as a return or exchange.

  • What happens to the inventory when I unfulfill an order?

    When you unfulfill an order in Shopify, the system typically auto-adjusts the inventory to reflect the unfulfilled items. However, it’s always good practice to manually verify that the inventory levels are correct after unfulfilling an order.

  • Will unfulfilling an order automatically notify the customer?

    Unfulfilling an order in Shopify does not automatically notify the customer. It’s important to communicate with the customer directly to inform them about the change in the order status and any other relevant details.

  • How do I handle payments for an unfulfilled order?

    Payments for orders are not automatically affected when you unfulfill an order. If you need to issue a refund or modify the payment, you’ll need to do so separately through the Shopify dashboard.

  • Can I unfulfill a partial order, or does it have to be the entire order?

    Shopify allows you to unfulfill specific items within an order if it’s partially fulfilled. You can select the items you wish to unfulfill and adjust the order accordingly. This flexibility is useful for managing orders with multiple items where only certain items need to be unfulfilled.

  • What should I do if I accidentally unfulfill an order?

    If you accidentally unfulfill an order, you can simply re-fulfill it. Go to the order in your Shopify admin, and proceed with the fulfillment process as you would normally. Ensure that any inventory adjustments or customer communications are handled appropriately.

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