WooCommerce: Disable Restocking @ Order Cancelled

When an order that has previously reduced stock is “cancelled” or goes to “pending payment” because the payment failed or the store admin decided to change the order status, the wc_maybe_increase_stock_levels() function triggers and restores the order items’ stock quantity.

As usual, some WooCommerce entrepreneurs asked for a way to disable this automatic restocking given their custom setup. It often goes like that – you can’t really please everyone.

This is unless you’re a smart developer and can account for both options, thanks to a WordPress “filter“. Here’s a PHP one-liner that can immediately disable this default behavior, so that you can avoid the automatic restocking (and maybe doing it manually based on your business rules). Enjoy!

PHP Snippet: Disable Automatic Restocking When A WooCommerce Order Is Set to Pending / Cancelled

/**
 * @snippet       Disable Restocking If WooCommerce Order Cancelled
 * @how-to        businessbloomer.com/woocommerce-customization
 * @author        Rodolfo Melogli, Business Bloomer
 * @compatible    WooCommerce 7
 * @community     https://businessbloomer.com/club/
 */

add_filter( 'woocommerce_can_restore_order_stock', '__return_false' );

Where to add custom code?

You should place custom PHP in functions.php and custom CSS in style.css of your child theme: where to place WooCommerce customization?

This code still works, unless you report otherwise. To exclude conflicts, temporarily switch to the Storefront theme, disable all plugins except WooCommerce, and test the snippet again: WooCommerce troubleshooting 101

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Rodolfo Melogli

Business Bloomer Founder

Author, WooCommerce expert and WordCamp speaker, Rodolfo has worked as an independent WooCommerce freelancer since 2011. His goal is to help entrepreneurs and developers overcome their WooCommerce nightmares. Rodolfo loves travelling, chasing tennis & soccer balls and, of course, wood fired oven pizza. Follow @rmelogli