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How to fix a dropped store connection

When the companion is down, download a fresh ZIP on Settings and replace the plugin on WordPress. Shoppers still check out on WooCommerce.

What it is

In the sidebar, open Site Settings, then Settings. On General, the card heading is WooDonkey Companion. The helper is This is the plugin that lets WooDonkey read, sync, and update your store’s data. The card appears only when a store is connected. There is no button labeled Reconnect. The fix is Download the plugin (ZIP), then on WordPress Replace current with uploaded.

How it helps you

You restore sync without pasting API keys. Replacing the ZIP does not delete products, orders, or customers on WooCommerce. Shoppers never use this flow.

What is included

  • WooDonkey Companion card: Active connected store only. Heading WooDonkey Companion. Helper This is the plugin that lets WooDonkey read, sync, and update your store’s data. Button Download the plugin (ZIP). Filename woodonkey-companion.zip. Hint woodonkey-companion – tailored to your store. Fail toast Download failed. Refresh control Check again. The card does not show token or store-id fields.
  • Checking: Checking the connection to the plugin…
  • Installed and active: The plugin is installed and active · vN, or The plugin is installed and active.
  • Connected via last sync: Connected – verified via the last sync. Detail: The direct connection check is currently being blocked (likely a firewall/anti-bot on the hosting server), but data is syncing normally, so the connection is healthy. Treat this as healthy.
  • Stuck queue: Connected – but N actions are stuck in the queue. Detail: The plugin is connected but isn’t running the pending actions. Make sure the plugin is active and up to date on the store. You may need to refresh or restart the plugin or contact your hosting support about WP-Cron.
  • Plugin not found: The plugin was not found on the store. Detail: Make sure the plugin is installed and activated on the WordPress Plugins page.
  • Token mismatch: The plugin is installed but the token doesn’t match. Detail: Download and reinstall the latest version of the ZIP (Replace current with uploaded).
  • Could not reach the store: We couldn’t reach the store. Detail: The site may be down, or a WAF/firewall is blocking our server. If you recently reconnected this store, reinstall the plugin below (Download ZIP, Replace current with uploaded) so its token matches again.
  • HTTP error: Server communication error (HTTP N).
  • Unverified: We couldn’t verify the plugin.
  • Update banner: When the installed version is behind 1.376.0: A new version is available: v1.376.0 (installed: vN). From 1.39.0 the WordPress Plugins screen can Update now automatically. Older than 1.39.0 needs one last manual ZIP (Replace current with uploaded).
  • Health extras: When healthy, WordPress, WooCommerce, PHP, ACF Installed / Installed (Pro) / Not installed, SEO Yoast or RankMath or Not detected, Zap Installed / Not installed.
  • Store data sync errors: Authentication failed – reconnect the store or update the plugin. The store blocked access (permissions/firewall). Check that the API key and plugin are up to date. Endpoint not found – update the WooDonkey Companion plugin on the store. These sit on Store data sync, not on a Reconnect button.
  • Same URL again: If you connect the same store URL after an archived row, WooDonkey reuses the prior companion token when it can. An already-installed current plugin may keep working. If status still says the token doesn’t match, download a fresh ZIP.
  • Not this page: No Language and direction. No AI tab. No Finish setup. No Support inbox. No shortcode. No keys to paste. Add Store is not the first-line fix while the store is still in the switcher.

How to turn on and manage each capability

Open Settings

  1. In the sidebar, open Site Settings.
  2. Click Settings. Stay on General.

Confirm the plugin on WordPress

  1. On WordPress, open Plugins and confirm WooDonkey Companion is installed and Active.
  2. If it is missing, install it after you download the ZIP in the next steps.

Download a fresh ZIP

  1. On the WooDonkey Companion card, click Download the plugin (ZIP).
  2. Keep woodonkey-companion.zip. That file is tailored to this store.

Replace the plugin and check

  1. On WordPress Plugins, upload woodonkey-companion.zip and choose Replace current with uploaded.
  2. Back on Settings, click Check again. Connected – verified via the last sync is healthy.

If the store row is gone

  1. On Settings, Store Management, click Add Store only if the store is not in the switcher.
  2. Finish Store name, Store URL, and Connect with WooCommerce using How to connect a store and finish setup. Then come back here if the token still does not match.

What to know before you start

  • Keep the companion Active on WordPress.
  • The store must be reachable over HTTPS.
  • Connected – verified via the last sync is healthy when the live check is blocked but data still syncs.
  • The ZIP is tailored to your store. Do not paste API keys.
  • Replacing the plugin does not delete WooCommerce products, orders, or customers.
  • A saved change that is missing on the storefront is usually cache. That how-to is How to fix a storefront change that is not showing.
  • Latest companion in this guide is 1.376.0.

Problems you may hit, and how to fix them

  • Symptom: The plugin was not found on the store. Fix: Activate WooDonkey Companion on WordPress Plugins. If it is missing, download the ZIP and install it.
  • Symptom: The plugin is installed but the token doesn’t match. Fix: Download the plugin (ZIP) and Replace current with uploaded, then Check again.
  • Symptom: We couldn’t reach the store. Fix: Confirm the site is up and on HTTPS. A WAF may be blocking the check. Reinstall the ZIP so the token matches.
  • Symptom: Connected – but N actions are stuck in the queue. Fix: Keep the plugin Active and up to date. Restart it, or ask hosting about WP-Cron.
  • Symptom: Authentication failed – reconnect the store or update the plugin. Fix: Download the plugin (ZIP) and Replace current with uploaded.
  • Symptom: The store blocked access (permissions/firewall). Fix: Same ZIP replace. Then check the store firewall.
  • Symptom: Endpoint not found – update the WooDonkey Companion plugin on the store. Fix: Download the plugin (ZIP) and Replace current with uploaded.
  • Symptom: Download failed. Fix: Stay signed in and click Download the plugin (ZIP) again.
  • Symptom: Connected – verified via the last sync. Fix: None. The connection is healthy.
  • Symptom: You used Add Store while the store is still in the switcher. Fix: Use the ZIP replace path on Settings instead.

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