The "Insufficient Inventory" error in a customer’s declined billing history means the system couldn’t complete the charge because the product or variant wasn’t available. This usually happens when products are inactive or out of stock. Below are the most common reasons and how to fix them.
Why This Happens and How to Fix It
1. Product Isn’t Active
Draft Mode: Products in draft mode aren’t available for purchase.
Archived Products: Archived products can’t be sold or billed.
How to Fix:
Go to Products > Select the product.
Make sure the product status is set to Active.
2. No Inventory Available
If the product or variant has 0 inventory and overselling (backorders) isn’t enabled, Shopify will block the purchase.
How to Fix:
Go to Products > Select the product > Check the Inventory section.
Make sure the product has stock or enable "Continue selling when out of stock."
3. Product Isn’t Assigned to the Right Location
The product might not be assigned to a location with available stock.
How to Fix:
Go to Settings > Locations and confirm that the product is assigned to the right location with stock available.
4. Subscription or Pre-Order Items Need Correct Configurations
Products used in subscriptions or pre-orders need inventory managed correctly to avoid billing errors.
How to Fix:
Check the product inventory and ensure stock is either available or set to allow selling when out of stock.
Other Things to Check
Deleted Products: If a product tied to an order was deleted, billing will fail.
Third-Party Apps: Apps that manage inventory may cause conflicts with Shopify’s inventory system.
Sales Channels: Make sure the product is published on the right sales channels, like your online store.
Still Need Help?
If you’ve checked everything and the error persists:
Review Your Product Settings: Check for recent changes that might affect inventory.
Contact Shopify Support: If you still see the error, reach out to Shopify Support with the product SKU, location, and screenshots.
By keeping your inventory organized and products properly assigned, you can avoid the "Insufficient Inventory" error and provide a smooth experience for your customers.