Fix Shopify out of stock issues: 4 proven solutions for 2025

Introduction: The Hidden Revenue Killer in Shopify Stores

Problem Overview

Shopify stores lose revenue when products appear "out of stock" despite having inventory. This guide provides 4 proven methods to resolve phantom stock issues and prevent future occurrences.

Common Causes

• Variant tracking misconfiguration - Individual product variants lack proper inventory settings

• Multi-location fulfillment conflicts - Inventory priority and shipping zone misalignment

• International market restrictions - Products excluded from specific geographic markets

• Third-party app integration failures - Inventory sync issues between Shopify and external systems

Impact on DTC Brands

• Direct revenue loss from blocked sales

• Customer frustration and abandoned carts

• Reduced search ranking due to poor user experience

• Competitive disadvantage in fast-moving markets

Solution Framework

This guide covers 4 step-by-step methods:

1. International market inventory settings

2. Variant quantity tracking configuration

3. Shipping rate troubleshooting

4. Out-of-stock selling permissions

4 Proven Solutions for 2025 to Fix Shopify Out of Stock Issues

Method 1: Fix International Market Inventory Settings

Step-by-Step Solution:

• Access Markets Settings: Navigate to your Shopify admin dashboard, go to Settings > Markets

• Select Target Market: Click on the specific market experiencing inventory display issues.

• Manage Product Visibility: Click "Products and pricing" to access market-specific product controls.

• Control Product Availability: For each affected product, you can:

• Configure Fulfillable Inventory:

• Save Changes: Apply your market-specific settings.

When to Use This Method:

• Products showing out of stock only in international markets

• Overselling issues across different geographic locations

• Need to restrict sales to primary market while resolving inventory issues

Method 2: Configure Variant Quantity Tracking

Variant-level inventory tracking is the most common cause of out-of-stock display issues. When

products have multiple variants (sizes, colors, styles), each variant requires proper inventory

configuration.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Desktop Admin:

• Navigate to Products: From your Shopify admin, go to Products.

• Select Product: Click the name of the product you want to track.

• Access Individual Variants: Click the variant you want to track or click "Edit" beside the variant.

• Enable Quantity Tracking: In the Inventory section, check "Track quantity".

• Configure Stock Levels: In the Quantity section, enter the quantity information for each location.

• Enable Overselling Protection: Check "Continue selling when out of stock" if you want to allow backorders (only available when "Track quantity" is enabled).

• Save Each Variant: Click "Save" after configuring each variant.

Bulk Edit Alternative: For products with many variants:

• From the inventory page, select variants using checkboxes

• Click "Bulk Edit"

• Adjust quantities for multiple variants simultaneously

• Click "Save" to apply updates

When to Use This Method:

• Essential for any product with multiple variants, especially fashion items, electronics with different specifications, or any product line with size/color options.

Method 3: Resolve Shipping Rate Configuration Issues

Step-by-Step Solution:

• Access Shipping Settings: Navigate to Settings > Shipping and delivery in your Shopify admin dashboard.

• Verify Market-Zone Alignment:

• Check Shipping Zone Coverage: Review each shipping zone to ensure all target countries have configured rates.

• Add Missing Rates

• Configure International Markets:

• Set Product Requirements:

• Test Checkout Process: Validate complete purchase flow for each market.

When to Use This Method:

• Customers can view products but cannot complete checkout

• International customers receive "shipping not available" errors

• Products appear available but checkout fails at shipping step

Method 4: Enable "Continue Selling When Out of Stock"

Sometimes the simplest solution is allowing sales to continue even when inventory reaches zero. This approach works well for businesses that can quickly restock or fulfill orders through alternative means.

Step-by-Step Solution:

For Products with Variants:

• Navigate to Products > All products

• Select the product with variants

• Check "Continue selling when out of stock" for each variant

• Save each variant separately

Business Considerations: This method enables backorder functionality. Ensure you can fulfill orders within reasonable timeframes and communicate expected delivery dates clearly to customers. Consider adding "Notify Me" buttons for better customer experience and setting up automated restock notifications.

Location Impact: If you have multiple inventory locations, overselling behavior depends on your location priority settings and available inventory at each location.

When to Use This Method: Ideal for businesses with reliable supply chains, print-on-demand products, pre-order items, or digital goods where immediate fulfillment isn't critical. Also useful for maintaining sales momentum while awaiting restocks.

Prevention: Strategic Inventory Management Framework

Preventing out-of-stock display issues requires a systematic approach to inventory management. Implement these evidence-based practices to maintain accurate stock visibility:

Core Inventory Controls

Weekly Inventory Audits: Schedule systematic reviews to identify discrepancies between actual stock and system records, focusing on high-volume products and seasonal items.

Automated Inventory Synchronization: Deploy inventory management solutions that maintain real-time sync across all sales channels, preventing overselling and stock display errors.

Standardized Product Configuration: Establish consistent variant settings for all new products, including quantity tracking activation, location assignment, and overselling preferences based on your fulfillment strategy.

Advanced Inventory Strategies

Location-Based Fulfillment Optimization: Configure location priority settings to ensure orders route to the most efficient fulfillment center while maintaining accurate stock visibility across all locations.

Market-Specific Inventory Planning: For international sellers, implement separate inventory strategies per market,

considering demand patterns and shipping zone restrictions (especially important given Shopify's 2024 fulfillable

inventory changes).

Third-Party Integration Monitoring: Regularly audit connections between Shopify and external services to ensure proper data synchronization and prevent display inconsistencies.

Operational Excellence

Staff Training Programs: Ensure all team members understand proper inventory management procedures, common troubleshooting steps, and the impact of configuration changes on customer experience.

Customer Experience Testing: Implement regular testing protocols for the complete purchase journey to identify and resolve issues before they impact sales.

Conclusion: Securing Your DTC Revenue Stream

Out-of-stock display issues directly threaten your DTC brand's revenue and customer trust. The seven proven solutions outlined above provide a comprehensive approach to resolving inventory display problems and preventing future occurrences.

Prioritize Solutions Based on Impact: Start with variant configuration (Method 2) and location optimization (Method 4), as these address the most common root causes affecting 80% of merchants.

Implement Preventive Measures: Long-term success requires systematic inventory management practices, regular audits, and consistent product configuration standards. These proactive measures protect your brand from revenue loss and maintain customer confidence.

Take Immediate Action: Every day phantom stock issues persist, you're losing potential sales and damaging customer relationships. Implement these solutions today to safeguard your Shopify store's profitability and competitive position.