Fixing the WooCommerce ‘Add to Wishlist’ Button Not Working Issue: Causes and Solutions

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Why Wishlist Functionality Matters in WooCommerce
• Common Reasons Why the WooCommerce Wishlist Button Is Not Working
• Fixing the Wishlist Button – Step-by-Step Solutions
• Advanced Troubleshooting for Developers
• Best Wishlist for WooCommerce Plugins
• How to Prevent Wishlist Button Issues in the Future
• Conclusion

Introduction

The “Add to Wishlist” button not working is a common WooCommerce issue. Many store owners and developers face this frustrating problem. Your customers click the wishlist button, but nothing happens. Sometimes it doesn’t respond. Other times, it disappears entirely. This issue can seriously hurt your sales and user experience.

Wishlists help buyers save products for later. If your wishlist button is broken, you’re losing potential sales. People often return to buy saved items. Without a working wishlist, they might forget or leave your store. That’s why fixing the wishlist button not working issue is important.

In this post, we’ll explain why this problem happens. We’ll also guide you through step-by-step fixes.

Why Wishlist Functionality Matters in WooCommerce

Every online shopper values convenience. Wishlists offer a simple way to bookmark favorite products. They reduce the need to search again and again. When shoppers return, they find saved items with one click.

But when wishlist functionality is not working, shoppers get frustrated. They may leave your store without buying. Even worse, they may go to a competitor’s site instead. This is why the wishlist feature must work perfectly.

Let’s look at why a wishlist is essential for WooCommerce stores:

• Improves User Experience
   Shoppers want a smooth, easy shopping journey. Wishlists provide that comfort.
• Increases Return Visits
   Users come back to view and buy saved products.
• Boosts Sales
   People often buy what they’ve saved earlier. A working wishlist supports conversions.
• Helps in Marketing Campaigns
   You can track what customers save and send reminders or offers.

Now imagine all this breaking down. If the WooCommerce wishlist button is not working, you’re missing out on these benefits. It can make your store feel broken or unprofessional.

For USA-based stores especially, where competition is high, this matters. U.S. shoppers expect smooth, fast features. Any technical failure can drive them away quickly.

Common Reasons Why the WooCommerce Wishlist Button Is Not Working

When the “Add to Wishlist” button doesn’t work, there is always a cause. It’s not random. In most cases, the issue comes from your theme or a plugin. Sometimes, your site’s JavaScript or outdated tools are to blame.

Let’s look at the most common reasons for the wishlist button not working on WooCommerce stores:

1. Plugin Conflicts

This is the most frequent cause. Plugins can clash with each other. A wishlist plugin might not work well with another active plugin.

• It could be a caching plugin.
• It might be a page builder like Elementor or WPBakery.
• Or it may even be a security plugin blocking certain functions.

When plugins fight, the wishlist button stops working. You won’t always see a visible error either. That makes it tricky to catch.

2. JavaScript Errors

Modern wishlist buttons often rely on JavaScript. If your page has JavaScript issues, the button will fail to respond.

Common signs include:

• Button not clicking at all
• Console errors in the browser
• Button vanishes or never loads

Use your browser’s developer console (F12) to inspect errors.

3. AJAX Not Working Properly

AJAX allows the wishlist to update without reloading the page. When AJAX fails, the wishlist button does nothing.

Reasons could be:

• Your theme doesn’t support WooCommerce AJAX
• A plugin blocked AJAX scripts
• Server-side settings are wrong

You may need to check if your site uses proper AJAX hooks.

4. Theme Compatibility Issues

Not all WooCommerce themes support all wishlist plugins. If your theme does not include the correct template hooks, the wishlist button might:

• Appear in the wrong place
• Not show up at all
• Show but never function

Switch to a default theme like Storefront and test again. If the button works, your main theme is the problem.

5. Outdated Plugins or Themes

Old versions of plugins or themes often break functionality. An update may fix bugs or restore compatibility.

Make sure to:

• Update your wishlist plugin
• Update WooCommerce
• Keep your theme up-to-date

Always back up your site before updating.

6. Shortcode or Placement Error

Some plugins use shortcodes to display the button. If it’s placed wrong, it won’t show or work.

Check the documentation for correct shortcode use. Misplacing a shortcode is a common cause of the “Add to wishlist” button not working.

Fixing the Wishlist Button – Step-by-Step Solutions

Start With Basic Troubleshooting

Before diving into advanced fixes, always try basic checks first. Many issues with the WooCommerce wishlist button not working can be fixed easily.

Here’s what to do:

• Clear your website and browser cache.
• Make sure all plugins and themes are updated.
• Deactivate unnecessary plugins.
• Test the wishlist function again.

If the button starts working, the problem was likely a plugin conflict or outdated software.

Fix 1: Identify and Resolve Plugin Conflicts

Plugin conflicts are the most common cause. Follow these steps:

1. Deactivate all plugins except WooCommerce and your wishlist plugin.
2. Check if the “Add to Wishlist” button works.
3. If it does, reactivate other plugins one by one.
4. Test the wishlist function after each activation.

This process helps you find the conflicting plugin. Once found, you can:

• Look for an update or patch.
• Replace it with a more compatible option.
• Contact plugin support for a fix.

Fix 2: Switch to a Default Theme

Your active theme may not support wishlist functions properly. Try switching to the default WooCommerce theme, Storefront.

Steps:

1. Go to Appearance > Themes in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Activate Storefront or another official WooCommerce-compatible theme.
3. Test if the wishlist button works.

If it does, your theme likely lacks support for certain WooCommerce hooks. You can:

• Contact the theme developer for a fix.
• Add wishlist button code manually in your theme files.
• Switch to a better-supported theme.

Fix 3: Fix JavaScript or jQuery Errors

Many wishlist buttons use JavaScript or jQuery to function. If these scripts fail, the button will not work.

How to check:

1. Right-click anywhere on your page.
2. Click Inspect > Console tab in your browser.
3. Look for errors in red text.

If you see errors, here’s what to do:

• Update WordPress, themes, and plugins.
• Check if a script is being blocked by a security plugin.
• Turn off optimization plugins temporarily.

Resolving these issues will often bring the “Add to Wishlist” button back to life.

Fix 4: Check AJAX Functionality

AJAX helps update wishlist data without reloading the page. When AJAX fails, the button might seem dead.

Steps to test AJAX:

• Enable WordPress debugging mode to check logs.
• Look for failed AJAX requests in your browser’s network tab.
• Contact your hosting provider if AJAX is being blocked.

You can also switch to a wishlist plugin that uses simpler technology if AJAX causes issues.

Fix 5: Recheck Shortcode or Block Settings

If your wishlist plugin uses a shortcode or Gutenberg block, make sure it’s placed correctly.

Here’s how:

• Re-insert the shortcode on a new test page.
• Make sure no formatting or code error exists.
• Publish the page and test the button.

Incorrect placement can stop the button from loading or working.

Fix 6: Use a Staging Site for Safe Testing

Always test major changes in a staging environment. This prevents errors from affecting your live store.

Tools like WP Staging can help you:

• Clone your site in one click
• Safely test theme or plugin changes
• Identify issues without risk

Once the issue is fixed on staging, apply the solution on your live store.

Advanced Troubleshooting for Developers

If you have coding knowledge or a developer on your team, you can go deeper. Some wishlist button issues require a technical eye. Here’s how to perform advanced troubleshooting to fix the wishlist functionality not working properly.

1. Check Template Overrides

WooCommerce themes often override default plugin templates. If your theme overrides the wishlist plugin’s template, it might break the button.

Steps:

• Go to your theme folder.
• Check for a /woocommerce or /wishlist directory.
• Compare the overridden template with the plugin’s original.
• Remove or update the override if outdated.

2. Hook into WooCommerce Actions

Wishlist buttons often rely on WooCommerce hooks like:

• woocommerce_after_shop_loop_item
• woocommerce_single_product_summary

Ensure these hooks are not removed or changed by your theme. You can add the wishlist button manually using these hooks in your functions.php:

3. Monitor AJAX Calls

AJAX failures are silent but deadly. Use your browser’s Network tab to:

• Filter for admin-ajax.php
• Check if status is 200 OK
• Look at the response and debug errors

If there are errors:

• Check nonces and security tokens
• Make sure the required JS files are loading
• Confirm that plugin AJAX endpoints are registered

4. Enable WordPress Debug Mode

In your wp-config.php file, enable debugging:

This logs issues to wp-content/debug.log for review.

5. Use Console Logs and console.log()

If you have access to the plugin files or custom scripts, add console.log() statements to trace the flow. This helps find where the wishlist action breaks.

Best Wishlist for WooCommerce Plugins

If you’ve faced repeated issues with wishlist buttons, it might be time to switch plugins. A reliable plugin can save time and avoid bugs. Below are the best wishlist plugins for WooCommerce based on stability, features, and support.

1. YITH WooCommerce Wishlist

YITH is one of the most trusted wishlist plugins. It works well with most themes and is often updated.

Key features:

• Easy setup
• Clean design
• Integration with social sharing
• Free and Pro versions available

YITH is a safe pick if your current “Add to wishlist” button doesn’t work.

2. TI WooCommerce Wishlist

TI Wishlist offers excellent customization and a user-friendly interface.

What makes it great:

• Works with page builders
• Compatible with AJAX
• Lightweight and fast
• Translation-ready

TI is perfect for those wanting full control over wishlist design.

3. Premmerce Wishlist for WooCommerce

This plugin focuses on speed and simplicity. It’s less flashy but very stable.

Why choose it:

• Simple UI
• Good performance on large stores
• Solid support from the developer team

These three options are considered the best wishlist for WooCommerce plugins today. They reduce the chances of facing the wishlist button not working issue.

How to Prevent Wishlist Button Issues in the Future

Fixing a wishlist button issue is important. But preventing it from happening again is even better. A few smart habits can keep your wishlist working smoothly and reduce future problems.

1. Keep Everything Updated

Outdated software is one of the top causes of wishlist problems. Always make sure to update:

• WordPress core
• WooCommerce plugin
• Wishlist plugin
• Your active theme
• Other key plugins

Updates often include bug fixes and compatibility improvements. Set a reminder to check for updates weekly.

2. Test Changes on a Staging Site First

Never make big changes on your live store without testing. Use a staging site to:

• Try updates without affecting customers
• Test plugin and theme compatibility
• Make sure the wishlist button still works

Free plugins like WP Staging let you clone your site easily.

3. Choose High-Quality Plugins Only

Stick to plugins that are regularly updated and supported. Before installing a new wishlist plugin, check:

• Last update date
• Active installations
• Star rating and reviews
• Compatibility with the latest WooCommerce version

A poor plugin may seem to work at first, but can break later with updates.

4. Monitor Your Store After Updates

After every update or change, manually test your wishlist function. Do it from:

• Product pages
• Different browsers (like Chrome, Safari, Firefox)
• Mobile and desktop devices
• Guest and logged-in user views

Quick testing ensures you catch errors early—before customers do.

5. Use Error Logging and Debug Tools

Enable error logging in WordPress. This helps you detect silent issues early. Also, keep browser developer tools handy to catch JavaScript or AJAX failures quickly.

6. Backup Your Site Regularly

If something breaks, backups can save the day. Use a backup tool to:

• Automatically save your site daily or weekly
• Restore a working version fast
• Avoid losing time and sales during fixes

Plugins like UpdraftPlus and BlogVault can handle this easily.

Conclusion

A broken “Add to Wishlist” button can disrupt user experience and hurt your sales. Shoppers expect smooth, reliable features—and when something doesn’t work, they move on fast. Keeping your wishlist functionality running well is key to building trust and boosting conversions. If you’re still facing issues or want expert help, don’t waste more time troubleshooting alone.

👉 Reach out to WooHelpDesk today. Our WooCommerce experts are ready to diagnose, fix, and optimize your store—so you can focus on growing your business without the stress.