If you’ve ever received a message saying “Payment methods are limited” in your Shopify dashboard, you’re not alone. Many store owners face this issue, especially when setting up Shopify Payments for the first time.
In this blog, I’ll explain what this message actually means, why Shopify limits payment methods, how you can fix it, and what alternatives you can use if your region or business type isn’t eligible.
What Does “Payment Methods Limited” Mean on Shopify?
When you see “Payment methods limited” under Settings → Payments in your Shopify dashboard, it means that Shopify Payments (the default payment processor) isn’t fully activated or supported for your store.
This message basically says:
“You can still accept some payments, but not all the standard payment options like credit cards, Apple Pay, or Shop Pay.”
So, your store may not be able to process customer payments using Shopify’s built-in system until you fix the issue.
Why Shopify Limits Payment Methods
There are several reasons why Shopify might restrict your payment options. Let’s look at the most common ones:
1. Your Country Isn’t Supported
Shopify Payments isn’t available in every country.
If you’re running your store from India, Pakistan, or other non-supported regions, you’ll have to use third-party payment gateways like Razorpay, PayPal, or Payoneer Checkout instead.
👉 List of supported countries (you can check Shopify’s official list).
2. Your Business Category Is Restricted
Shopify has a long list of prohibited or high-risk business categories that cannot use Shopify Payments.
For example:
- CBD and hemp products
- Adult content
- Gambling or betting
- Financial services
- Weapons or ammunition
- Dropshipping of branded or counterfeit goods
If your store sells products in any of these niches, Shopify will automatically restrict payment methods.
3. Verification Documents Missing
Sometimes Shopify limits payment methods because your identity verification or business verification isn’t complete.
You might have missed uploading:
- Your government-issued ID
- Business registration proof
- Bank account verification documents
Without proper verification, Shopify won’t enable credit card processing through Shopify Payments.
4. Currency or Region Mismatch
If your Shopify store’s currency and your bank’s currency don’t match, it can cause issues.
For instance, if your store is set to USD but your payout bank account is in INR, Shopify may not allow Shopify Payments until it’s corrected.
5. Policy Violations
Shopify also monitors stores for policy compliance.
If they detect anything suspicious — like misleading product claims, fake reviews, or missing refund policies — they may temporarily limit your payment options until you fix them.
How to Fix “Payment Methods Limited” on Shopify
Here’s what you can do to resolve the issue and get your payments running smoothly again:
1. Check If Shopify Payments Is Supported in Your Country
Go to Shopify’s official documentation and check if your country is eligible.
If it’s not supported, you’ll have to use third-party gateways (I’ll list some below).
2. Complete All Verification Steps
Head to:
Settings → Payments → Shopify Payments → Manage
If you see any pending verification prompts, upload the requested documents.
Commonly needed:
- ID (Passport, Driver’s License)
- Business proof (Registration certificate or GST)
- Bank account details
Once verified, your account usually activates within a few hours to 2 business days.
3. Update Business Category
Make sure your business type doesn’t fall under Shopify’s prohibited list.
If it does, even slightly (like “supplements with medical claims”), update your product descriptions and categories to match their policy.
4. Contact Shopify Support
If you’re unsure why your payment methods are limited, the best option is to contact Shopify Support directly.
Provide:
- Your store URL
- Screenshot of the error message
- Any verification documents
They’ll review and guide you through the next steps.
5. Switch to a Third-Party Payment Gateway
If Shopify Payments simply isn’t available for your region or business type, use a third-party payment provider.
Here are some popular ones:
For India:
- Razorpay
- PayU Money
- Cashfree Payments
- CCAvenue
- Paytm Business
For Global Stores:
- PayPal
- 2Checkout (now Verifone)
- Stripe (if supported)
- Authorize.net
- WorldPay
These providers integrate easily into Shopify and let you accept credit/debit cards, UPI, wallets, and international payments.
Bonus: Best Payment Setup for Indian Shopify Stores
If your Shopify store is based in India (and Shopify Payments isn’t supported), here’s what works best:
- Primary Gateway: Razorpay (for cards, UPI, wallets, and EMI options)
- Backup Option: PayPal (for international orders)
- COD Support: Enable “Manual Payment” option for cash on delivery orders
This mix ensures that your customers never face checkout issues.
Shopify Payments vs Third-Party Gateways
| Feature | Shopify Payments | Third-Party Gateways |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Limited to supported countries | Global options |
| Fees | 2.0% (basic plan) | Varies (Razorpay: 2%–3%) |
| Setup | Built-in, easy setup | Requires account approval |
| Payouts | 2–3 business days | 1–4 business days |
| Support | Shopify native support | Handled by provider |
If you’re in a supported region, Shopify Payments is more convenient.
But for Indian and other Asian sellers, Razorpay + PayPal combo works perfectly.
Conclusion
Getting a “payment methods limited” message on Shopify can be frustrating, especially when you’re excited to launch your store.
But in most cases, it’s a simple issue — either your region isn’t supported or your verification isn’t complete.
If you’re in India or another unsupported country, just integrate Razorpay or PayPal. These work reliably and are widely accepted by Shopify merchants here.
Once you set it up properly, your store will be ready to accept payments smoothly and scale your business confidently.
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