Redirects Not Working on Shopify: Troubleshooting Guide

If you're encountering issues with redirects not working on Shopify, you're not alone. Redirects are a crucial component for ensuring that your customers land on the correct pages, especially after URL changes or site migrations. Here's an in-depth guide to understanding and troubleshooting these issues.

Understanding Redirects in Shopify

Redirects are used to forward visitors from one URL to another. This can happen for various reasons, such as when you change a product URL, move to a new domain, or update your site's structure. Shopify provides tools to manage redirects easily through its admin interface.

Common Issues with Shopify Redirects

1. Incorrect Redirect Setup: Often, redirects fail due to incorrect setup. This can happen if the target URL is misspelled or if the source URL isn't correctly entered.

2. Cached Redirects: Browsers and servers cache redirects, which might cause old redirects to persist even after you've made changes. This means that even if you've fixed a redirect, the old version might still be served due to caching.

3. Conflicting Redirects: If multiple redirects are set up for the same source URL, conflicts can occur. For instance, if you have two different redirects from the same URL to different destinations, Shopify might not know which one to prioritize.

4. Shopify Plan Limitations: Depending on your Shopify plan, there might be limitations on the number of redirects you can create. Ensure that you are not hitting these limits.

5. Third-Party Apps and Custom Code: Third-party apps or custom code can sometimes interfere with Shopify's built-in redirect functionality. If you've recently added new apps or code, they might be affecting how redirects work.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Verify Redirect Setup:

   • Go to your Shopify admin panel.
   • Navigate to "Online Store" and then "Navigation".
   • Click on "URL Redirects".
   • Ensure that the source and destination URLs are correct.

2. Clear Browser and Server Cache:

   • Clear your browser cache and cookies to make sure you're seeing the most current version of your site.
   • If you use a caching service or CDN, clear the cache there as well.

3. Check for Conflicting Redirects:

   • Review your list of redirects to ensure there are no conflicts.
   • Remove or consolidate redirects if necessary.

4. Verify Shopify Plan Limits:

   • Check your Shopify plan to see if there are any limits on the number of redirects.
   • Consider upgrading your plan if you're close to or exceeding the limit.

5. Review Third-Party Apps and Custom Code:

   • Disable any third-party apps or custom code that might be affecting redirects.
   • Test to see if the issue resolves when these are turned off.

6. Test Redirects:

   • Use tools like HTTP Status Code Checker or Redirect Checker to ensure that your redirects are functioning correctly.
   • Test different scenarios to make sure all redirects work as intended.

Additional Tips

• Use Wildcards: When setting up redirects, consider using wildcards if you need to redirect multiple URLs with a similar structure. For instance, redirecting old-url/* to new-url/*.

• Monitor Redirect Performance: Regularly review your site's performance and error logs to catch any redirect issues early.

• Consult Shopify Support: If you've tried all the above steps and your redirects still aren't working, reaching out to Shopify support can help. They can provide assistance and check if there's an issue on their end.

Conclusion

Redirect issues on Shopify can be frustrating, but by following these troubleshooting steps, you can identify and resolve the problem. Ensure that your redirects are set up correctly, clear any caches, and check for conflicts or limitations. With a bit of investigation and adjustment, you'll have your redirects working smoothly again.