Ordering with PayPal

In this article we are going to show you the characteristics of the order process in connection with the payment method PayPal.

It is worth knowing that the payment and the order are in general completely detached from each other. This means that an order is placed as soon as the customer clicks on submit order in the Storefront. This will result in an order being created in the order overview in the admin area.

Different payment status

Payment status "Canceled"

Why does an open order with the payment status "Cancelled" appear under orders?

If an order is listed with the payment status "Cancelled", the customer has most likely closed the Paypal payment window via the item "Cancel and return to shop". 

The order has already been placed and the payment process cancelled by this action. After the customer has been redirected back to the shop, he still receives the following concluding message:

"We have received your order, but the payment was cancelled. You can find your order below "Orders". There you can adjust the payment method and carry out the payment again.

Payment status "Failed"

Why is there an open order with the payment status "Failed" under Orders?

The payment status "Failed" in this case does not mean that there is a technical problem with the PayPal extension, but that the payment was not completed by the customer.


Initially, the payment status "Open" appears in the order overview, but if the customer cancels the payment process now, the payment status "Failed" will be displayed instead.

Payment status "Unconfirmed"

Why do I see an open order with the payment status "Unconfirmed" under Orders?

Unconfirmed means that the order has been placed, but Paypal has not received any transaction. In this case, the order is not normally listed in the shop's Paypal account. This can be caused, for example, by the browser quitting or crashing during the payment process. 

In this case, too, the customer can change the payment method via their own order overview and make a new payment.

Failed order in the customer account

What happens to the failed order?

The customer has the option to change the payment method (2) using hiscustomer account or to repeat the last order (3).

If the customer selects change payment method (2) from the "..."  drop down menu (1), he or she is automatically redirected to the checkout. The customer now has the option to choose the same or a different payment method. At this point, the order will be displayed  as "In progress" in the order overview. 

Different field names

In your Shopware Admin under Orders > Overview > Your order > PayPal you will find all the information that is transmitted by PayPal.
In the PayPal Merchant Account, however, the entries are displayed differently than in the admin area. For example, if you are looking for a specific payment_id, you have to search for the order_id in your PayPal account.
Below you will find a table where the different entries in the Shopware Admin and in the PayPal account are listed and briefly explained.

Entries in ShopwareEntries in PayPalDescription
Payment_idOrder_idUnique ID to which the order is assigned
Tracking_idCapture_id/transaction_id/resource_idID which is used to track the payment
Dealer_idMerchant_id/payer_idUnique ID that is assigned to you when you create the account. This is used to identify you as a merchant

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