> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://staylime.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://staylime.com/docs/avante-themes/faq/products-and-variants/products-show-as-sold-out-or-unavailable-on-the-live-store.md).

# Products show as sold out or unavailable on the live store

Your products look available in the Shopify theme editor but show as "sold out" or "unavailable" on the live storefront. This is Shopify platform behavior, not a theme bug — it comes down to Markets, shipping zones, fulfillment locations, or how your variants are set up.

### Why the editor and the live store differ

The theme editor runs in design mode (`request.design_mode`). Shopify intentionally bypasses geolocation and shipping-zone checks there so you can preview your layout freely. Your live storefront does apply those checks — so availability can differ between the two.

***

### Cause 1: Markets & shipping zones

On the live site Shopify geolocates each visitor. If their region falls outside your active markets or shipping zones, products are marked unavailable — even with stock. If you're browsing from an uncovered region, the whole catalog can read as sold out.

1. Go to **Shopify Admin → Settings → Shipping and delivery** and confirm your zones cover the countries you sell to.

<figure><img src="/files/6Z5qBhppUqG4kXBvrTQ2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Go to **Shopify Admin → Settings → Markets** and confirm your target markets are active.

<figure><img src="/files/48X8wCqclP5N5MGD9VdT" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Example:** The same product can show differently depending on the visitor's location.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/ZOhGfe3JcocSimLzBMIo" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Hong Kong SAR → "Machine Only — Unavailable", Sold out button</em></p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/iqI8ajqkCWleWK1Llxw8" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>United States → "Machine Only", Add to bag button</em></p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="success" icon="sparkles" %}
**Tip:** Use the **View as** selector at the bottom of the theme editor to preview a different market without changing your location.
{% endhint %}

***

### Cause 2: Fulfillment locations

If your stock sits at a location that isn't set to fulfill online orders, products also read as sold out.

1. Go to **Shopify Admin → Settings → Locations**.
2. Open your active location and confirm **Use inventory at this location to fulfill online orders** is checked.
3. Confirm your inventory is assigned to a location mapped to the Online Store sales channel.

<figure><img src="/files/zLlD7fIRMXchZGw81vJN" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

### Cause 3: The variant combination doesn't exist

"Unavailable" on a specific variant does not mean sold out — it means that exact combination of options isn't set up on the product.

1. Go to **Shopify Admin → Products → \[your product] → Variants**.
2. Check that every option combination you want to sell is listed.
3. Make sure each variant has inventory assigned and is active.

<figure><img src="/files/HNH8Kt0Pee7CD6J5J9aL" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

### How to confirm the cause

Open your live store in an incognito window using a VPN set to your primary market (e.g. United States). If products appear in stock, the issue is region/market coverage, not inventory.

{% hint style="warning" icon="lightbulb" %}
**Note:** You can also use the **View as** selector at the bottom of the theme editor to preview a different market without a VPN.
{% endhint %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://staylime.com/docs/avante-themes/faq/products-and-variants/products-show-as-sold-out-or-unavailable-on-the-live-store.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.