Magento 2 is a powerful eCommerce platform that offers extensive features and flexibility. Together with WooCommerce and Shopify, it is the most widely used eCommerce platform worldwide. The below figure shows its market share in Europe.
One scenario that frustrates online store owners even more than cart abandonment is a cancelled order. As a leading Magento extensions company, our clients frequently complain about cancelled orders and how it impacts them. However, not all cancelled orders are done wilfully. In some cases, the admin or the customer may cancel an order in Magento 2 by mistake.
The problem is that once an order is cancelled in Magento 2, it cannot be directly restored through the default system settings. This limitation can be a hurdle as the admin must recreate the order. However, don’t worry as there are several methods to effectively manage and possibly restore these orders. Here, we explore various ways, explaining each in an easily understandable manner.
Before we discuss various methods to restore an order in Magento 2, let’s see why this need arises in the first place.
It may be that the store admin was trying to retrieve the order information and accidentally ended up cancelling the order.
There are also cases where a customer unknowingly cancelled their order. They may even wilfully cancel their order, only to change their mind later.
Your store may have been exposed to a cyberattack and the cybercriminals may have cancelled all orders.
Always create regular backups to ensure that even if there is a problem, you can simply restore using the backup.
Before cancelling an order, set up controls such as confirmation windows or ask for password. This protects against accidental cancellations.
Offer prompt communication to customers in case of cancelled orders. If the cancellation is from the customer, ask for the reasons. If the cancellation was from your side, communicate the reasons and rectify the issue right away.
Perhaps the simplest way to handle a cancelled order in Magento 2 is to recreate it manually. This method doesn't technically restore the cancelled order but creates a new one with the same details.
Steps:There are third-party extensions available for Magento 2 that provide the functionality to "uncancel" orders. These extensions can be a lifesaver that adds a feature to restore orders directly from the admin panel.
Steps:This method involves directly modifying the order status in the Magento database. It is a technical approach and should only be undertaken by those with experience in database management.
Steps:Caution: This method can lead to data inconsistency if not done correctly. It's highly recommended to backup your database before making any changes.
Sometimes, the best solution is the direct approach. If the order was cancelled due to an issue that's now resolved, you could simply contact the customer and ask them to place the order again.
Steps:For those with coding skills, writing a custom script to change the order status is a viable option. This requires a good understanding of Magento 2's architecture and programming.
Steps:Restoring a cancelled order in Magento 2 requires a bit of creativity and workaround, as the platform doesn't support this feature by default. Whether it's through manual recreation, using an extension, diving into the database, reaching out to the customer, or coding a custom solution, each method has its merits and challenges. Choose the one that best fits your skill level and business needs, and always ensure to have backups before making significant changes to your store. In case you require help, contact us.
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