Handle buyer checkout errors

Use onError callbacks and alternate checkout pages to handle buyer checkout errors.

Know before you code

This feature modifies an existing checkout integration and uses the following:

• PayPal JavaScript SDK
• Orders REST API — Create order endpoint

• Use Postman to explore and test PayPal APIs.

Buyer checkout error

If an error prevents buyer checkout, alert the user that an error has occurred with the buttons using the onError callback:

paypal.Buttons({
  onError: function (err) {
    // For example, redirect to a specific error page
    window.location.href = "/your-error-page-here";
  }
}).render('#paypal-button-container');

This error handler is a catch-all. Errors at this point are not expected to be handled beyond showing a generic error message or page.

Script not loading error

If null pointer errors prevent the script from loading, provide a different checkout experience:

if (window.paypal && window.paypal.Buttons) {
  // render the buttons
} else {
  // show a fallback experience
}