WooCommerce Subscription Products Not Showing? Here’s How to Fix It Fast
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What Are WooCommerce Subscription Products?
- How Do WooCommerce Subscription Products Work?
- Types of WooCommerce Subscription Products
- Benefits of Using WooCommerce Subscription Products
- Why WooCommerce Subscription Products Are Not Showing
- Troubleshooting Step-by-Step Guide
- Best Plugins for WooCommerce Subscriptions
- Preventing Future Issues
- Conclusion
Introduction
Subscription-based selling is growing fast in the eCommerce world. More stores now offer products or services through monthly or yearly plans. This helps businesses earn stable, recurring income. Customers also love the ease of auto-renewals and flexible plans.
If you use WooCommerce, you may already know its value. It’s a powerful tool to build and run your online store. But when it comes to subscriptions, things can get tricky. A common issue many store owners face is this: “My WooCommerce subscription product is not showing.”
In this guide, we’ll explore what WooCommerce subscription products are. We’ll also explain how they work, the types available, and why you should use them. Understanding these basics will help before we get into solving visibility issues later. We’ll also go over their types, how they operate, and the benefits of using them.
What Are WooCommerce Subscription Products?
A WooCommerce subscription product is a product customers pay for on a schedule. Subscriptions, as opposed to standard items, bill clients on a regular basis. This could occur once a week, once a month, or once a year.
These products are used for many services and goods, such as:
- Monthly product boxes (like beauty or snack boxes)
- Digital services (like e-learning platforms or software tools)
- Membership plans (like gyms or online communities)
- Web hosting or maintenance packages
These subscription products can be created easily in WooCommerce. But you will need a plugin to enable this feature. The most popular one is the WooCommerce Subscriptions plugin by WooCommerce itself. You may design, administer, and personalize recurring billing items with this plugin.
Using a good plugin ensures smoother billing, customer management, and plan control. That’s why many consider it the Best WooCommerce subscription product plugin on the market.
How Do WooCommerce Subscription Products Work?
WooCommerce subscription products are built to handle automatic, recurring payments. This means customers are charged at regular intervals—weekly, monthly, or yearly. You don’t need to charge them manually each time. Everything happens automatically once a subscription is set up.
This requires a specialized plugin to function. The official WooCommerce Subscriptions plugin is the most widely used option. This plugin gives unique options for making subscription-based items and integrates with your WooCommerce store.
Let’s go through how the system works from start to finish:
- Setup in the Dashboard
Once the WooCommerce Subscriptions plugin is installed, you get new product options.
- Go to Products → Add New
- Under Product Data, select Simple Subscription or Variable Subscription
- These options allow recurring billing setup
You can enter a product price, choose how often customers are billed, and whether there’s a free trial or signup fee. You can also limit the subscription to a set length, like 6 months or 12 months.
- Add Subscription Details
After choosing the subscription type, you customize it further.
You can:
- Set the billing frequency (e.g., every 1 month)
- Add a trial period (e.g., 7 days free)
- Choose subscription length (ongoing or fixed number of payments)
- Add signup fees (one-time charge at the beginning)
This gives you control over how each product behaves in your store.
- Publish and Display the Product
After everything has been finalized, release the product. It now appears in your WooCommerce shop like any other product.
But instead of a one-time price, customers see the recurring price. For example: $29/month, or $199/year.
They can proceed with the standard checkout procedure after adding it to their basket.
- Payment and Billing
When a customer buys a subscription, the plugin automatically tracks the billing schedule. The system charges them using your selected payment gateway—like Stripe or PayPal.
Each billing cycle happens automatically. If a payment fails, the plugin can retry or cancel the subscription after a set number of attempts.
You can also send emails for:
- Payment success or failure
- Renewal reminders
- Subscription cancellation
- Expiration warnings
This keeps your customers informed and reduces confusion.
- Managing Subscriptions
WooCommerce gives you full control over each customer’s subscription.
From your dashboard, you can:
- View all active and inactive subscriptions
- Pause, cancel, or change a subscription
- See payment history and upcoming billing dates
In their account panel, customers can also control their own subscriptions. They can:
- View upcoming charges
- Cancel or renew plans
- Update payment methods
- Integration with Other Features
Other plugins are also compatible with WooCommerce Subscriptions. For example:
- WooCommerce Memberships: Restrict content based on subscription
- Email Marketing Tools: Add subscribers to your mailing list
- Coupons and Discounts: Offer deals for first-time subscribers
- Reports and Analytics: Track recurring revenue and subscriber trends
All of these features help you grow and manage your store efficiently.
Types of WooCommerce Subscription Products
WooCommerce allows various types of subscription models. Depending on the nature of your firm, this offers flexibility.
Let’s look at the main types in more detail:
- Simple Subscription
This is a single product with a set billing schedule. It works well for basic services or one-size-fits-all products. Example: A $10/month fitness video access plan.
- Variable Subscription
This lets users choose between different billing options or product features. It supports variations like plan duration or included services. Example: Choose between monthly or yearly payment for a software license.
- Grouped or Bundled Subscriptions
You can combine multiple subscription products into a bundle. It’s ideal for offering value packs or upsells. Example: A digital magazine subscription + a members-only video course.
- Membership Tied Subscriptions
Often used with a membership plugin, access to content depends on an active subscription. Example: Pay monthly to access premium tutorials or courses.
Each type fits a different need. Choosing the right one helps you attract more customers and increase conversions.
Benefits of Using WooCommerce Subscription Products
Now let’s talk about why you should use subscription products in your store. The following are some of the main benefits:
- Steady Revenue Stream
You get paid on a recurring basis. This makes revenue more predictable and stable.
- Improved Customer Retention
Subscribers are more likely to stay than one-time buyers. They often renew automatically, which keeps them engaged longer. Compared to one-time buys, subscribers are more likely to stick around.
- Easier Inventory and Sales Planning
When you know how many active subscribers you have, forecasting becomes easier. This helps with inventory control and product planning.
- Automation Saves Time
The plugin handles billing, renewals, and customer emails. As a result, you may concentrate on your growth and less manual labor.
- Great for Digital and Physical Goods
Subscription models work for many product types. Whether you sell eBooks, online services, or monthly boxes, it fits.
- Higher Lifetime Value Per Customer
Recurring payments lead to higher income from each customer over time.
Using a strong plugin makes all this easier to manage. That’s why choosing the Best WooCommerce subscription product plugin is key. It ensures fewer issues and better performance.
Why WooCommerce Subscription Products Are Not Showing
It can be frustrating when your subscription product disappears from your store. You’ve set it up, published it, and expect it to appear—yet it’s not showing. Many WooCommerce store owners face this issue. The good news? It’s often easy to fix once you know where to look.
Below are the most common reasons why your WooCommerce subscription product is not showing and how each issue works.
- Product Visibility Settings
Sometimes the product is simply hidden by mistake. In WooCommerce, you can control who sees the product and where it appears.
Here are key things to check:
- Is the product set to “Hidden” in the Catalog Visibility setting?
- Is it marked as “Private” instead of “Public”?
- Is it assigned to the correct category or tag?
The product won’t show up if it isn’t assigned to any viewable area. You can find these settings in the right-hand panel when editing a product.
- Draft or Unpublished Product
If your subscription product is saved as a draft, it won’t be visible to anyone. Sometimes you may forget to hit “Publish.” Or, a plugin conflict may revert it to draft status.
Double-check that the product is Published. You can find this in the Status section at the top-right of the product editor.
- Theme or Template Conflicts
Some WordPress themes may not fully support subscription product templates. This happens when custom themes override WooCommerce layouts.
The result?
- Products don’t appear on category pages
- The “Add to Cart” button may not display
- Product information could ruin the design.
Use a default theme, such as Storefront, for a short time to test this. If the product appears, your theme is likely the problem.
- Plugin Conflicts or Outdated Versions
WooCommerce depends on other plugins to work correctly. If one plugin is outdated or incompatible, it can hide or block your products.
Check the following:
- Is your WooCommerce Subscriptions plugin up to date?
- Are other plugins like SEO tools or page builders conflicting?
You can test by deactivating plugins one by one and checking the store page.
- Caching and CDN Issues
Products may appear as intended, but your browser may be loading a cached version of the website. This means changes don’t appear right away.
Clear these to refresh your store:
- Website cache (from your caching plugin)
- Browser cache
- CDN cache (like Cloudflare)
Once cleared, reload the page and check again.
- User Role Restrictions or Display Rules
Some visibility plugins let you hide products based on user roles. For example, a logged-out user might not see certain products. If you use such plugins, make sure the rules are set correctly.
Also, check your store pages for conditional display settings in page builders like Elementor or Divi.
Troubleshooting Step-by-Step Guide
If your WooCommerce subscription product is not appearing, don’t worry. Usually, the problem is easy to resolve. This detailed guide will assist you in identifying and resolving the issue in a timely manner.
Let’s take it step by step and go through the procedure.
Step 1: Check Product Visibility Settings
Make use of the default settings first. A hidden or private product won’t show up.
To check this:
- Open the subscription product in the WooCommerce editor.
- On the right side, find “Catalog Visibility.”
- Make sure it is set to “Public.”
- Avoid selecting “Hidden” or “Private.”
Make sure the product is categorized as well. If it has no category, it might not appear in your shop or archive pages.
Step 2: Ensure the Product Is Published
Sometimes the product looks finished but hasn’t been published.
Do this:
- Check the “Status” section at the top-right corner.
- If it says “Draft” or “Pending Review,” publish it.
Only published products will appear on your store pages.
Step 3: Review the Subscription Product Type
Ensure you’ve used the correct product type. If it’s not set as a subscription, it won’t behave like one.
- Go to the product data panel.
- Select either Simple Subscription or Variable Subscription.
- Double-check billing settings and save.
Using the correct type ensures that WooCommerce handles it properly.
Step 4: Test for Theme Conflicts
Themes control how your store looks and functions. Some themes may block certain product types.
To test this:
- Change to a default theme for a while, such as Twenty Twenty-One or Storefront.
- Verify whether the product is now visible.
Your active theme is probably the problem if it functions with the default theme. You could require theme support or assistance from a developer.
Step 5: Check for Plugin Conflicts
Conflicts from plugins can sometimes lead to unexpected problems in your store. Another plugin may be blocking or hiding your product.
Follow these steps:
- Deactivate all non-essential plugins.
- Refresh your store and check the product page.
- If the product appears, reactivate each plugin one by one.
- When the product disappears again, you’ve found the conflict.
Check compatibility between your plugins and WooCommerce version.
Step 6: Clear Cache and CDN Layers
Caching can cause you to see outdated versions of your store. Even if the product is live, it may not display until the cache is cleared.
Clear all layers of cache:
- Browser cache
- Website cache (from caching plugin)
- CDN cache (e.g., Cloudflare)
After clearing, refresh your product and shop pages.
Step 7: Inspect Page Builders or Shortcodes
If you’re using Elementor, Divi, or another page builder, check if the product display widget or shortcode is working correctly.
- Ensure the widget points to the right category or product.
- Avoid using outdated shortcodes.
- Update the page and recheck the product display.
Step 8: Review User Role or Access Rules
If you use plugins to control who sees what, double-check the rules.
- Are products restricted by user role?
- Is content only available to logged-in users?
Make sure subscription products are not accidentally hidden by those rules.
Best Plugins for WooCommerce Subscriptions
Choosing the right plugin is key to managing subscriptions. A reliable plugin makes billing easy and keeps your products visible. The wrong one can cause issues like broken checkout pages or hidden products.
Below are five of the best WooCommerce subscription product plugins. Each offers unique features, and we explain how they work.
- WooCommerce Subscriptions (Official Plugin)
This is the most trusted subscription plugin for WooCommerce. It’s built by WooCommerce, so it integrates perfectly with your store.
Key features:
- Supports simple and variable subscriptions
- Allows free trials, signup fees, and flexible billing
- Handles automatic renewals and failed payment retries
- Sends email notifications for renewals and cancellations
- Compatible with popular gateways like as Stripe and PayPal
This plugin is popular, stable, and well-documented. It’s a top choice for serious store owners.
- YITH WooCommerce Subscription
YITH offers a strong alternative to the official plugin. It’s more affordable for smaller shops and still packs powerful features.
Key features:
- Supports automatic renewals and email alerts
- Allows product-based and service-based subscriptions
- Includes a clean dashboard for tracking customers
- Integrates well with YITH Memberships
It’s ideal for users already using other YITH plugins. It also works well with Elementor and modern themes.
- Subscriptio – WooCommerce Subscriptions Plugin
Subscriptio is a simple, low-cost plugin with strong basic features. It’s great for small businesses or simple stores.
Key features:
- Managing ongoing invoicing for goods and services
- Offers free trials and optional sign-up fees
- Easy setup with limited configuration
- Allows manual or automatic renewal options
This plugin doesn’t offer advanced tools but covers essential functions well.
- Paid Memberships Pro + WooCommerce Add-On
If you sell digital content or memberships, this combo is perfect. It links subscriptions with access control.
Key features:
- Manage memberships with detailed control
- Create levels and restrict content or products
- Works with recurring billing and WooCommerce
- Good for course platforms or online communities
It’s more focused on content access than product delivery, but very flexible.
- WP Simple Pay (Pro Version)
This plugin works directly with Stripe for recurring payments. It doesn’t use WooCommerce but pairs with it well.
Key features:
- Accepts Stripe payments with minimal setup
- Handles recurring billing, trials, and upgrades
- Great for services, donations, or coaching plans
- Easy to use without a full cart system
Use this if you need Stripe-based subscriptions without managing physical inventory.
Preventing Future Issues
Solving visibility problems matters, but avoiding them in advance is smarter. When your WooCommerce subscription product is set up right, it should run smoothly without trouble.
Below are smart ways to avoid problems before they happen.
- Keep All Plugins Updated
Outdated plugins often cause visibility and display issues. Subscription plugins must stay compatible with WooCommerce and WordPress core.
What to do:
- Regularly update WooCommerce and all installed plugins
- Check changelogs for compatibility fixes or known bugs
- Avoid skipping updates for long periods
This simple habit prevents many hidden errors and conflicts.
- Test on a Staging Site First
Never make major changes on your live store without testing first. You can securely test updates on a staging site.
Benefits of using staging:
- Detects plugin conflicts before they affect customers
- Lets you review changes in a private environment
- Prevents broken pages or missing products on live site
Most hosting services offer one-click staging tools.
- Use Reliable Plugins Only
Choose stable, well-supported plugins—especially for subscriptions. A poorly coded plugin can hide products or break layouts.
Look for:
- Regular updates and ongoing development
- Other WooCommerce users’ positive reviews
- Clear documentation and support options
Using the best WooCommerce subscription product plugin reduces long-term risk.
- Audit Product Visibility Regularly
Check if your subscription products are still showing as expected. Over time, new themes or updates may affect visibility.
Steps to audit:
- Browse your store like a customer
- Test visibility as both logged-in and guest users
- Review Catalog Visibility and publish status in the product editor
Do this monthly to avoid surprises.
- Backup Your Store Regularly
Even the best-managed stores can face issues. Backups let you recover quickly without major loss.
Key tips:
- Use automated daily backups through your host or plugin
- Maintain backups on the cloud or off-site.
- Test restoring a backup at least once
This keeps your store safe from accidental problems.
Conclusion
A missing WooCommerce subscription product is often easy to fix. But prevention is the best long-term solution. With smart tools, regular audits, and good practices, your subscription products will stay visible and working.
The WooHelpDesk staff is here to assist you if you’re still experiencing issues. Whether it’s a plugin issue, product setup, or full store audit—we’ve got your back.
