OpenCart: I changed an order’s status, but it didn’t save

You opened an order, chose a new status, closed it. Next time you look — the old status is back.

It isn’t a bug. One click is missing.

How the status really changes

In OpenCart the status isn’t changed by picking from the drop-down. It is added to the history.

1. Open the order (the eye icon)
2. Scroll to the bottom — that is where the History section is
3. Pick a status from the drop-down
4. Tick Notify customer if you want them to get an email
5. Add a comment if needed — the customer will see it
6. Click “Add History”

Only then is it saved.

Why it works this way

Every status change stays on record — with the date, who made it and what the status was before.

That is useful: later you can see the order’s whole path. But it is confusing the first time, because it looks as if simply choosing a status is enough.

The detail about the email

The “Notify customer” box is unticked by default. So if you want the customer to know the order has been shipped — you have to tick it every time.

And if you are adding an internal note the customer shouldn’t see — leave it unticked.

Which status reduces the stock

This is related and worth knowing. In System → Settings → Edit → Option tab there is a field for it.

By default it happens when the order is completed — which means that until then, the same item can be sold again.

For a store with limited stock, set it to Processing. Then stock goes down as soon as you confirm the order is being prepared.