When an affiliate or a customer reports that a code isn't working, it is usually due to a specific rule set within the Shopify discount configuration. Going through this checklist will help you identify the cause and resolve the issue quickly.
Affiliate Discount Code Troubleshooting Checklist
Check the Minimum Purchase Requirement Many discount rules require a minimum spend (e.g., "Valid on orders over $50"). Ensure the customer's cart subtotal meets this requirement before the discount is applied.
Verify Product and Collection Eligibility If the discount is set for "Specific Collections" or "Specific Products," it will not work if the items in the cart are not part of those selected groups. Double-check that the items being purchased are eligible for the discount.
Review Discount Combinations Shopify’s native settings determine if a code can be used alongside other active promotions (like an automatic "Buy One Get One" sale or another promo code). If "Combinations" are not enabled in the Shopify settings, the affiliate code may be blocked by another active discount.
Confirm the Discount Value A code will appear invalid if the discount value is set to 0% or $0. Ensure that a specific value (e.g., 10%) has been saved in the group’s discount rule.
Check for Customer Eligibility Restrictions Some rules are set to "New Customers Only" or "Limit to one use per customer." If a returning customer tries to use a "First Purchase" code, Shopify will correctly decline it at checkout.
How to Fix the Issue
If you find that one of the rules above is causing the conflict, you can easily adjust it:
Navigate to the Groups section in your dashboard.
Click the group assigned to the affiliate, or click the "Active" button in the group list
Click "Edit discount rule."
This will open the Shopify - Discounts page for that specific rule.
Adjust the values, requirements, or combinations as needed and click Save.
Note: Any changes you make to the group's discount rule will automatically update for every affiliate within that group.
What Happens Next?
Once the rule is updated in Shopify, the change is instant. You can ask the affiliate or customer to refresh their checkout page and try the code again.