WooCommerce Low Stock Notification Not Working

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• How WooCommerce Low Stock Notifications Work
• Common Reasons Why Low Stock Emails Fail
• How to Fix WooCommerce Low Stock Notification Issues
• Best Practices to Ensure Low Stock Emails Always Work
• Best WooCommerce Low Stock Notification Plugins in 2025
• Conclusion

Introduction

Running a WooCommerce store means staying ahead of your stock levels. Missing a low stock alert can lead to problems. Customers get frustrated if products are out of stock. Store owners lose sales and trust. That is why WooCommerce has a built-in low stock notification system.

Sometimes, this system fails to work properly. Store owners report issues like:

• Low stock emails are not sending
• Notifications never arriving
• Alerts are getting delayed or lost

You are not alone if you are dealing with this. This problem affects a lot of WooCommerce users.

This guide explains why WooCommerce’s low stock notifications stop working. You will also learn how to fix them and prevent future issues.

Our goal is to help you manage inventory smoothly and avoid losing customers.

How WooCommerce Low Stock Notifications Work

WooCommerce has a simple yet powerful stock alert system. When a product’s stock reaches a set number, the system sends a notification email. This alert tells you to restock soon.

You can configure low stock notifications in the WooCommerce settings:

1. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Inventory.
2. Enter the number for Low stock threshold.
3. Set the Notification recipient email address.

When the stock quantity of any product equals or drops below this threshold, WooCommerce sends an email to the set address.

The low stock email helps you act fast. It prevents products from going out of stock completely.

However, the system only works if all settings and triggers function properly. The process depends on:

• Accurate stock levels: WooCommerce must know the correct product quantities.
• Correct email settings: The right email address must be entered.
• Working server and plugins: No plugin conflicts or server issues should block emails.

Sometimes, even small changes in your store setup can cause alerts to fail. Examples include:

• Switching to a different hosting company
• Updating WooCommerce or plugins
• Changing admin email settings

If you miss a low stock email, you may not restock on time. Both money and client loyalty may be lost as a result.

Common Reasons Why Low Stock Emails Fail

You have set everything up. Yet, your WooCommerce low stock email never arrives. There can be many reasons why your store is not sending alerts. Let’s explore the most common causes.

1. Incorrect Stock Threshold Settings

The low stock threshold controls when WooCommerce sends alerts. If this number is too low or set to zero, no email will go out.

Here’s how to check:

• Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Inventory.
• Check the Low stock threshold field.
• Enter a reasonable number based on your stock pattern.

For example, set the threshold to 5 if you want to know when only 5 items are left. If left blank, no alert triggers.

Also, double-check stock quantities of individual products. If a product is marked “In stock” but quantity is not tracked, notifications will fail.

2. Admin Email Misconfiguration

The notification email only works if it is sent to a correct address. If the recipient email is wrong or has a typo, you will not get alerts.

Check your settings under:

• WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Inventory > Notification recipient

Please ensure that the email address you have supplied is active and being tracked.

Also, go to Settings > General in WordPress. Confirm that your Admin Email is valid. Many WooCommerce notifications also rely on this.

If your hosting provider changes email routing settings, you may not receive emails. Always keep your admin email up-to-date.

3. Cron Job (wp-cron) Failures

WooCommerce uses WordPress cron jobs to schedule email notifications. If the cron jobs are disabled or not running, emails won’t be sent.

Symptoms of cron job issues include:

• Delayed emails
• No stock alert emails at all

You can verify if cron jobs are working with plugins like WP Crontrol. This free plugin lets you see scheduled tasks and check for errors.

If you find disabled or stuck tasks, enable them manually. Hosting providers sometimes block cron jobs to save server resources. Contact your host if needed.

Tip: Consider using a real server-side cron job for better reliability. It reduces the chance of missed tasks.

4. Plugin or Theme Conflicts

WooCommerce works with many plugins and themes. Sometimes, they interfere with stock notifications.

A badly coded plugin can override WooCommerce email functions. Conflicts may arise from:

• Email customizer plugins
• Inventory management plugins
• Security or firewall plugins

The easiest way to test this:

1. Temporarily disable all plugins except WooCommerce to isolate the issue.
2. Use a default theme, such as Storefront.
3. Test the mechanism that alerts you to low stock.

Reactivate each plugin individually if it works. This will assist you in identifying the problematic plugin.

Keep all plugins updated. Outdated plugins are a common reason for conflicts.

5. Outdated WooCommerce or WordPress Versions

Older versions of WooCommerce or WordPress may have bugs or security holes. These can break normal functions like stock notifications.

Always use the latest stable versions. Updates bring bug fixes and compatibility improvements.

Before updating, make a full site backup. Then go to:

• Dashboard > Updates and check for updates.
• Update WooCommerce, WordPress, and all related plugins.

Once updated, test your low stock email alerts again.

6. SMTP & Deliverability Issues

WooCommerce uses your web host to send emails by default. Many hosts block these emails to prevent spam. As a result, your notifications never arrive.

Signs of deliverability issues include:

• Low stock emails not delivered
• Emails marked as spam
• Emails missing altogether

Using an SMTP plugin is the most effective solution to this problem. SMTP plugins send emails through a proper mail server. They improve email delivery rates.

Popular choices include:

• WP Mail SMTP
• Post SMTP Mailer
• Easy WP SMTP

Once installed:

• Configure it with your email service provider’s SMTP details.
• Test your WooCommerce notifications with the plugin’s email tester.

Additionally, configure your domain’s SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records correctly. Receiving servers are informed that your emails are authentic and safe as a result.

If you don’t know how, your hosting provider or domain registrar can help.

Using SMTP greatly reduces email failure and keeps your alerts working smoothly.

How to Fix WooCommerce Low Stock Notification Issues

Solving WooCommerce low stock notification problems requires a structured approach. The issue can come from settings, server problems, or plugin conflicts. Here is a detailed guide to assist you in resolving the issue.

1. Check Your Stock Threshold Settings

The first step is to confirm your low stock threshold is correct.

• Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Inventory.
• Set a reasonable number for Low stock threshold.
• Example: enter 5 to get notified when only 5 units remain.

Ensure stock tracking is enabled for each product:

• Edit a product from Products > All Products.
• Check Manage stock? in the settings for product data.
• Enter the appropriate amount of stock.

If stock management is not enabled, WooCommerce cannot track inventory. As a result, no low stock email will be sent.

2. Verify Recipient Email Addresses

Incorrect email addresses are a very common issue. Even a small typo can prevent notifications.

To check:

• Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Inventory.
• Review the Notification recipient email field.
• Make sure the email address you enter is active.

Also verify the admin email under Settings > General. Some WooCommerce alerts also use this address.

Test your email account to ensure it’s receiving other messages. If not, the problem may be outside WooCommerce.

3. Test wp-cron Jobs

WooCommerce depends on WordPress cron jobs to send alerts. If these jobs don’t run, you won’t get emails.

You can check scheduled tasks using the WP Crontrol plugin:

• WP Crontrol can be installed and activated from the plugin library.
• Visit Tools > Cron Events to view your site’s scheduled tasks.
• Look for tasks like wc_schedule_sales and woocommerce_cleanup_sessions.

If you see missed or overdue tasks, click Run now to force them.

If cron events are missing, your site may have disabled wp-cron. Some hosting companies disable wp-cron by default.

To enable it manually:

• Include the following line in your wp-config.php file:
  define(‘DISABLE_WP_CRON’, false);

For better reliability, consider setting up a server cron job. Your hosting provider can help you configure it.

4. Check for Plugin or Theme Conflicts

Many WooCommerce email problems come from plugin conflicts. Sometimes themes also interfere with notifications.

Here’s how to troubleshoot:

1. Deactivate all plugins except WooCommerce.
2. Change to a default theme, such as Twenty Twenty-Four or Storefront.
3. Test the low stock notification feature.

If emails start working, a plugin or theme is the cause.

Reactivate each plugin individually:

• Once each plugin has been reactivated, check your low stock email.
• If the problem returns, you’ve found the conflicting plugin.

Check if an update for the plugin fixes the problem. If not, consider replacing the plugin or contacting the developer for support.

5. Update Everything

Outdated software often causes bugs and incompatibility issues. Always keep your website up to date.

Steps to update:

• Go to Dashboard > Updates in WordPress.
• Update WooCommerce, WordPress, and any plugins.
• Update your theme to the most recent version as well.

Before updating, back up your website using a backup plugin. This guarantees that in the event of an issue, you can recover your website.

After updates, test your notification system. In most cases, updating resolves hidden issues.

6. Switch to SMTP for Reliable Email Delivery

WooCommerce uses PHP mail by default. Many hosts block these emails as potential spam.

An SMTP plugin ensures your emails are delivered securely and reliably.

Popular SMTP plugins include:

• WP Mail SMTP
• Post SMTP Mailer
• Easy WP SMTP

To set up SMTP:

1. Install your chosen SMTP plugin.
2. Enter your email service provider’s SMTP details (e.g., Gmail, SendGrid, Mailgun).
3. Use the plugin’s built-in email test feature to confirm it works.

Benefits of SMTP include:

• Improved email delivery rates
• Emails avoid spam filters
• Detailed logs to diagnose email problems

One of the best methods for resolving missing WooCommerce emails is this one.

7. Set Proper Email Authentication

Even with SMTP, your domain must have proper email authentication. This tells receiving email servers that your messages are legitimate.

Add these records to your domain’s DNS:

• SPF (Sender Policy Framework): verifies which servers can send emails for your domain.
• DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): gives your emails a digital signature.
• DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance): instructs email servers on how to respond to emails that are not verified.

If you’re not sure how to proceed:

• For assistance, get in touch with your hosting company.
• Ask your email service provider for the correct DNS records.

Setting these records dramatically improves delivery and prevents your low stock emails from being marked as spam.

By following these seven detailed steps, most WooCommerce stores can resolve their stock email notification issues.

You’ll lessen the chance of disappointing your consumers by running out of inventory. Regular testing ensures your alert system remains reliable even as your store grows.

Best Practices to Ensure Low Stock Emails Always Work

Prevention is better than cure. Most stock notification problems can be avoided by adhering to a few basic best practices.

Here’s what every WooCommerce store owner should do:

1. Regularly Update Your Site

WooCommerce, WordPress, and plugins get frequent updates. These updates fix bugs and improve performance. Outdated software is a top cause of email failures.

Always update your:

• WooCommerce plugin
• WordPress core
• All themes and plugins

Before updating, back up your website. A plugin like UpdraftPlus makes this easy.

Test your low stock notification system after updates. Send a test product close to the threshold and verify the email alert.

2. Test Notifications Regularly

Do not wait for real stock to run low to test alerts. Periodically test your low stock notification system manually.

You can do this by:

• Setting a product’s stock to just above the threshold
• Completing a dummy purchase to reduce stock
• Watching for the notification email

Regular testing helps catch any problems early before they impact sales.

3. Use a Reliable SMTP Plugin

SMTP plugins improve email delivery. They connect your store to a proper mail server.

Benefits include:

• Fewer emails going to spam
• Better delivery tracking
• Improved security and reliability

Top plugins to consider:

• WP Mail SMTP
• Post SMTP Mailer
• Easy WP SMTP

Follow the setup guide and test your emails after installation.

4. Monitor Your Hosting Environment

Some hosting providers disable important functions like wp-cron. Without cron jobs, scheduled emails won’t send.

Ask your hosting provider if they recommend using a server cron job. You can also set up a cron job manually. This ensures scheduled tasks run on time.

Upgrade to a hosting package that supports email deliverability if your website sends a lot of emails.

5. Keep Your Email Records Accurate

Update the DMARC, DKIM, and SPF records for your domain. These email authentication records reduce spam flags and improve delivery rates.

Contact your hosting provider or domain registrar for help setting these up. They have a significant impact and are simple to set up.

You may significantly lower the likelihood of low stock email failures by adhering to these easy procedures. A small effort now saves you big problems later.

Best WooCommerce Low Stock Notification Plugins in 2025

If the default WooCommerce system doesn’t meet your needs, plugins offer extra features. Here are the best low stock notification plugins for 2025:

1. Advanced Notifications by WooCommerce

This official plugin adds more control over email alerts. You can:

• Send notifications to multiple people
• Set notifications per product or category
• Customize the email message content

It is perfect for larger stores with teams managing inventory.

2. ATUM Inventory Management for WooCommerce

ATUM is a free, powerful inventory management tool. It gives you:

• Full product stock control from a simple dashboard
• Customizable low stock thresholds
• Reports and stats to track inventory

This plugin suits medium to large eCommerce stores. It works well for managing hundreds of products.

3. WooCommerce Stock Manager

WooCommerce Stock Manager is another useful option. It allows you to:

• Bulk manage product stock levels from one screen
• Set low stock thresholds manually
• Monitor stock levels without opening each product

The plugin is user-friendly and free. It’s great for smaller stores or those wanting basic features without complexity.

Using these plugins adds more flexibility and helps avoid missed alerts. Select the one that best suits the size and operations of your store.

Always test after installing any plugin to ensure your stock emails work correctly.

Conclusion

Low stock notifications are essential for running a successful WooCommerce store. They help prevent out-of-stock situations that can hurt your sales.

Many store owners face problems like missed or delayed alerts. The causes are often simple: wrong settings, plugin conflicts, or server issues.

Regular testing also ensures your system works when you need it most. Don’t wait until you lose sales to fix problems.

If you want more control, consider using stock management plugins. They offer better reports, alerts, and customization options.

Running a WooCommerce store should not be stressful. Take proactive steps to keep your stock emails working.

Still having trouble? Don’t worry. Our experts at WooHelpDesk can help. We specialize in fixing WooCommerce email and notification issues.

Contact WooHelpDesk today for fast, friendly support. Keep your store running smoothly and your customers happy!