If your business runs on Shopify, any downtime can feel like a nightmare. Customers can’t browse, orders don’t come through, and you’re left wondering how much revenue you’re losing by the minute. While Shopify is one of the most reliable e-commerce platforms in the world, no system is immune to issues. Some are out of your control, like platform-wide outages, but others are caused by store-specific problems — including one “hidden risk” many store owners don’t talk about.
Before we get into the fixes, it’s worth remembering that building a stable store starts long before a problem happens. Decisions you make during setup — from your store’s structure to your choice of developer — play a big role in how resilient your Shopify site will be.
★ Shopify downtime can stem from both platform-wide and store-specific causes.
★ The most common issues include outages, DNS misconfigurations, theme errors, and app conflicts.
★ Using pirated or unofficial Shopify themes can lead to instability, security issues, and even store suspension.
★ Quick diagnostics can help you determine if the issue is on Shopify’s end or yours.
★ Communicating with customers during downtime helps maintain trust and reduce lost sales.
Even the most robust platforms experience occasional downtime. Shopify may undergo scheduled maintenance, face unexpected technical issues, or encounter overload during massive global shopping events.
How to Identify the Problem:
• Visit the official Shopify Status page.
• Check Shopify’s Twitter/X account for real-time updates.
• Look in merchant forums to see if other store owners are experiencing the same issue.
How to Fix It:
When it’s a platform outage, there’s nothing you can do to bring the store back online yourself — you’ll need to wait for Shopify’s engineers. But you can:
• Post a status update on your social channels.
• Set up a temporary “maintenance” landing page with an apology and an estimated restoration time.
Stores that were professionally planned and developed often have better contingency options during outages. If you’re weighing the pros and cons of hiring help versus building on your own, our comparison of Shopify Store Developer vs. DIY breaks it down clearly.
Your store might appear “down” because your domain isn’t resolving correctly. This can happen if your domain has expired, your DNS settings are incorrect, or recent changes haven’t fully propagated.
How to Identify the Problem:
Try accessing your store’s .myshopify.com URL. If it works, the problem is with your domain.
• Use WhatsMyDNS to check if your DNS records are pointing to Shopify.
How to Fix It:
• Ensure your domain registration is up to date.
• Update your DNS records to Shopify’s recommended settings:
• A Record: Shopify’s IP address
• CNAME Record: shops.myshopify.com
• Allow up to 48 hours for changes to take effect globally.
If your store crashed right after making design changes, you may have introduced a code error. Even a misplaced comma in Liquid code can break your site.
How to Identify the Problem:
• Switch to the default Shopify theme to see if the problem persists.
• Review your theme’s change history for recent edits.
How to Fix It:
• Revert to a previous working version of your theme.
• Always back up your theme before making edits.
• If needed, bring in a Shopify developer to debug the issue.
Third-party apps can be incredibly useful, but outdated or poorly coded ones can create conflicts that crash your store or slow it to a crawl.
How to Identify the Problem:
• Recall the last app you installed or updated before downtime began.
• Disable apps one by one to find the culprit.
How to Fix It:
• Uninstall the problematic app.
• Contact the app developer for updates or bug fixes.
• Stick to apps with solid reviews and regular updates.
Sometimes the store loads fine, but customers can’t complete purchases because the payment gateway fails — which can be just as damaging to revenue.
How to Identify the Problem:
• Test the checkout process yourself.
• Look for specific error messages during payment.
How to Fix It:
• Check your payment provider’s status page for outages.
• Update any expired API credentials.
• Offer alternative payment methods until the issue is resolved.
Shopify offers unlimited bandwidth, but a sudden spike in visitors — for example, after a viral TikTok video — can still overwhelm your store if your theme or apps aren’t optimized.
How to Identify the Problem:
• Review analytics for sudden traffic surges.
• Check Shopify’s performance reports.
How to Fix It:
• Optimize your theme for speed (compress images, minify scripts).
• Temporarily disable heavy apps during high traffic.
• Use a CDN to improve load times globally.
In some cases, the problem isn’t your store — it’s the customer’s setup. Older browsers, unsupported devices, or browser extensions can block the site.
How to Identify the Problem:
• Test your store in multiple browsers and on different devices.
• Try using incognito mode to bypass extensions.
How to Fix It:
• Keep your theme responsive and up to date.
• Clear browser cache and cookies.
• Add a notice suggesting customers use modern browsers for best performance.
Here’s a secret many store owners don’t realize: using pirated or “nulled” Shopify themes that aren’t purchased directly from Shopify or verified theme developers can put your store at serious risk. While they might save money upfront, these themes often contain outdated code, security flaws, or hidden malware.
Potential Risks:
• Store crashes after Shopify updates.
• Hidden scripts that steal customer data.
• Compatibility issues with apps and checkout systems.
How to Identify the Problem:
• Downtime happens after an update or app installation.
• Unusual redirects or pop-ups appear on your site.
• Security scans flag the theme as unsafe.
How to Fix It:
• Replace the theme with one bought directly from Shopify or a trusted marketplace.
• Scan your store with a reputable security app.
• Avoid free downloads of premium themes from unverified sources — they’re rarely “free” in the long run.
If you’re just starting out and want to avoid pitfalls like this entirely, our guide on How Do I Set Up a Shopify Store? walks you through building a secure, reliable foundation from day one.
A Shopify store going down is stressful, but most causes are preventable or fixable if you know what to look for. From platform outages and DNS errors to app conflicts and risky theme choices, each problem has a clear solution. Acting quickly not only minimizes lost revenue but also preserves your customers’ trust in your brand.
Don’t wait until downtime costs you thousands in lost sales. At N&A Collectives, we help Shopify store owners diagnose issues fast, secure their online presence, and implement long-term strategies to keep their stores running 24/7. Whether you’ve experienced an outage or just want to safeguard your business, our expert team has you covered.
Contact N&A Collectives today and keep your Shopify store online, fast, and secure.
1. How do I know if Shopify is down or if it’s just my store?
Check Shopify Status or test your .myshopify.com URL to see if the issue is platform-wide.
2. Can using pirated Shopify themes really cause downtime?
Yes. Pirated themes can break after updates, cause security issues, and violate Shopify’s terms of service.
3. How quickly should I respond to downtime?
Immediately. The faster you diagnose and fix the issue, the fewer sales and customers you’ll lose.
4. What’s the best way to prevent downtime?
Use legitimate themes, keep apps updated, maintain proper DNS settings, and monitor your store regularly.
5. Can downtime hurt my SEO?
Yes, prolonged downtime can negatively impact rankings, especially if search engines can’t access your site multiple times.
Amber Dickerson is a true Shopify queen, renowned for her expertise in creating seamless, high-performing online stores. With her deep understanding of Shopify’s powerful tools and features, she has built a reputation for transforming e-commerce dreams into reality.
