WooCommerce: Show Checkout Even If Cart Is Empty

By default, the WooCommerce Checkout page redirects you back to the (empty) Cart page in case there are no products in the Cart.

Now, there are times when you still need users to see the Checkout page and avoid this redirect. And thankfully, WooCommerce provides us with two filters that we can use to immediately disable this default behavior. Enjoy!

Checkout page by default redirects to the empty WooCommerce Cart page when no products are in the Cart

PHP Snippet: Avoid Checkout Redirect to Empty Cart

/**
 * @snippet       Avoid Empty Cart Redirect @ WooCommerce Checkout
 * @how-to        Get CustomizeWoo.com FREE
 * @author        Rodolfo Melogli
 * @compatible    WooCommerce 3.6.4
 * @community     https://businessbloomer.com/club/
 */

add_filter( 'woocommerce_checkout_redirect_empty_cart', '__return_false' );
add_filter( 'woocommerce_checkout_update_order_review_expired', '__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

6 thoughts on “WooCommerce: Show Checkout Even If Cart Is Empty

  1. Would be great to redirect to a specific URL. Unfortunately my checkout page is a blank white page when nothing is in the cart.

  2. Hi,

    Thanks for this trick. Working for me with WP 5.3 + Woocommerce 3.8 + Adorn theme.

    Best regards

    1. Awesome!

  3. Works on WP 5.3, Woocommerce 3.8.
    On Empty Cart, Checkout goes to empty Check Out / Place Order page. Then when Place Order is clicked, message appears, “Your session has timed out.”

    View Cart goes to “Your Cart is Empty” message with “Return to Shop” button.

    I’d be interested in learning how to hide View Cart and Checkout in an empty cart, if anyone has suggestions.

    1. Hi John, thanks so much for your comment! Yes, this is definitely possible, but I’m afraid it’s custom work. If you’d like to get a quote, feel free to contact me here. Thanks a lot for your understanding!

Questions? Feedback? Customization? Leave your comment now!
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