How to Disable Checkout Shopify: Complete Guide 2025

Introduction

There are times when you don’t want customers to check out — maybe your store is under maintenance, you’re out of stock, or you’re setting up a new collection.
Whatever the reason, knowing how to disable checkout Shopify can save you from customer confusion and failed orders.

But there’s more…

While disabling checkout, you might also want to:

• Remove express checkout options (like PayPal/Shop Pay)
• Add notes to the checkout page
• Edit checkout page code
• Customize your abandoned checkout email templates

This guide covers everything you need to manage and control your Shopify checkout — whether you’re a beginner or an advanced store owner.

Why You Might Need to Disable Checkout

Here are a few reasons store owners choose to temporarily turn off checkout:

• Store is under maintenance or redesign
• You’re out of inventory
• Testing before launch
• You sell quote-only or inquiry-based products
• You’re doing a pre-launch or coming soon setup

Let’s look at step-by-step methods to disable checkout on Shopify.

How to Disable Checkout Shopify (3 Methods)

Method 1: Set Products to “Out of Stock”

The easiest method is to zero out your inventory. This automatically disables the “Add to Cart” and checkout flow.

Steps:

1. Go to Products in your Shopify admin
2. Select all products you want to disable
3. Set Inventory quantity = 0
4. Make sure “Continue selling when out of stock” is unchecked

Result: Customers can view products, but can’t check out.

Method 2: Use a Password-Protected Store (Best for Maintenance)

Shopify allows you to restrict access to your entire store using a password page.

Steps:

1. Go to Online Store → Preferences
2. Scroll to Password Protection
3. Check Enable password page
4. Add your custom message and password

Result: Store is viewable only to admins or people with the password. Checkout is effectively disabled.

Method 3: Use “Buy Button” Restriction

If you only want to disable checkout from specific products, you can hide or remove the “Buy” button from product or cart templates.

This requires editing theme code.

How to do it:

1. Go to Online Store → Themes → Edit Code
2. Locate product-template.liquid or main-product.liquid
3. Find the button code (usually starts with <form or <button)
4. Wrap it in a comment like this:

liquid

CopyEdit

{% comment %}

  <form method="post" action="/cart/add">
    ...
  </form>

{% endcomment %}

Result: Product can be viewed, but no checkout possible.

Bonus: How to Remove Express Checkout Shopify

Even if you disable the main checkout flow, express checkout buttons (like PayPal, Shop Pay) may still appear on your cart or product pages.

Here’s how to remove them:

Steps:

1. Go to Online Store → Themes → Customize
2. Click on Cart page or Product page
3. Look for settings like:
   • “Enable dynamic checkout buttons”
   • “Show Express Checkout”
4. Turn this OFF

Now, your checkout will no longer display Shop Pay, PayPal, or Google Pay on the frontend.

How to Add Notes to Shopify Checkout

Adding a note box to checkout allows customers to leave delivery instructions, customizations, or personal messages.

This is great for:

• Gifting
• B2B stores
• Special orders

Steps:

1. Go to Online Store → Themes → Customize
2. Open Cart page
3. Toggle ON the “Enable cart notes” option

The note field now appears on the cart page and is submitted with the order.

Customize Abandoned Checkout Email Template Shopify

If someone starts checkout and doesn’t finish, Shopify automatically sends abandoned checkout recovery emails.

You can edit the default template to:

• Add your branding
• Include discount codes
• Add urgency

How to edit:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications
2. Scroll to Abandoned checkout
3. Click Edit
4. Use HTML and Liquid to customize text, logo, buttons, etc.

Pro Tip: Include a discount like 10% OFF for returning — this improves recovery rate.

Shopify Edit Checkout Page Code (Advanced)

If you’re on Shopify Plus, you have access to the checkout.liquid file for full control.

However, for regular plans, customization is limited — but you can still:

• Edit cart page layout (before checkout)
• Use checkout UI extensions via apps or scripts
• Customize translation files and styling

What You Can’t Do Without Shopify Plus:

Feature	Available on Basic/Advanced?
Edit checkout.liquid	No
Reorder checkout steps	No
Add custom scripts to checkout	No
Customize fields	No

If you need advanced editing, consider upgrading to Shopify Plus or use third-party apps like ReConvert, Checkout Blocks, or Cart Lock.

FAQ: Disable Checkout Shopify

Can I temporarily disable checkout Shopify?

Yes! Use password protection, set inventory to zero, or hide “Add to Cart” buttons to stop checkout temporarily.

How do I remove PayPal Express Checkout from my product pages?

Go to Online Store → Customize → Product Page, then disable dynamic checkout buttons.

Is it possible to hide only certain products from checkout?

Yes. You can edit the product template and hide the “Add to Cart” form conditionally using product tags.

How do I allow customers to leave notes during checkout?

Enable Cart Notes in the theme editor under the Cart Page settings.

Can I edit Shopify’s checkout page code on the basic plan?

No. You can only access checkout.liquid if you’re on Shopify Plus. Otherwise, you’re limited to apps and settings.

Final Thoughts

Disable checkout Shopify might sound strange — but it’s a powerful control feature when used intentionally.

Whether you’re prepping a relaunch, doing maintenance, or just want more control over what’s being sold and when — you now have multiple ways to stop checkout, customize the experience, and even recover lost sales via abandoned cart emails.

Want full control? Consider Shopify Plus.
Just need a quick fix? Use the steps above.