Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteTo hide unavailable items from your WooCommerce catalog, go to WooCommerce → Settings → Products → Inventory, enable Hide out of stock items from the catalog, and save the changes. WooCommerce describes this as a catalog/customer-view control, so it is the right choice when every out-of-stock product should disappear from shop and category listings.
Antihost offers managed WordPress hosting with free migration, one-click staging and a 14-day free trial.
Check the storefront after saving. Variable products, backorders, product-page URLs, search results, caching, theme templates, and custom queries can produce different results from the standard catalog view. If you need category-specific rules, redirects, stock thresholds, or restock subscriptions, the global checkbox alone is not enough.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Use WooCommerce’s built-in catalog setting
The core setting is global: it applies the same visibility rule across the store’s customer-facing catalog. It is useful for a retailer that does not want unavailable products competing with purchasable items in shop and category archives.
- Sign in to the WordPress administrator dashboard.
- Open WooCommerce → Settings.
- Select the Products tab.
- Open Inventory.
- Find Hide out of stock items from the catalog.
- Tick the checkbox and select Save changes.
Open a private browser window or an account that is not an administrator and check the shop page, category archives, product search, and any product grids on the home page. Clear page, object, and CDN caches if an item still appears. A cached page can continue showing the old catalog even though the WooCommerce setting has been saved.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Unique Designed Screen Setting】It allows you to customize the screen display according to your preferences. With this innovative feature, you can easily set the language, adjust volume settings, select connection options, and view stored and total barcodes. Experience unparalleled convenience and flexibility as you personalize the settings of your Tera HW0009 to suit your specific needs. 【Package Includes: Barcode Scanner x1, Charging Cradle x1, Charging Cable x1, User Manual x1】
- 【Superior Global CMOS Imaging Scanning】This advanced scanner excels in fast and accurate reading of both ordinary and high-density barcodes, including challenging formats like PDF417 found on driver's licenses. Its exceptional performance effortlessly handles various scanning scenarios, including underwater scanning, reading barcodes on silver paper, reflective materials, and more.
- 【Charging Cradle & 2500mAh Large Battery】Designed with a convenient charging cradle, the HW0009 barcode scanner allows you to easily charge it whenever it's not in use. In addition, the scanner itself is equipped with a powerful 2500mAh battery, ensuring seamless all-day operation without the need for frequent charging.
- 【3-in-1 Connections & Widely Compatible】 Tera HW0009 wireless barcode scanner can work with bluetooth & 2.4G wireless & usb wired. The transmission distance can be 328ft in barrier free environment and 114ft in obstacles environment using 2.4G USB dongle. It can be connected with a variety of devices, such as smartphones, computers, POS, tablets. In addition, it is also compatible with various operating systems, such as windows 11/10/8/7/xp, Mac OS, iOS, android, linux.
- 【1D 2D QR code Programmable】2D: QR code, Data Matrix, PDF417(including PDF417 on driver’s license), Aztec, Maxicode, Micro QR, Micro PDF417; 1D: UPC/EAN, Code 128/EAN128, GS1-128, ISBT-128, Standard 2 of 5, Matrix 2 of 5, Code 39, Code 32, Code 93, Code 11, Codabar, PLESSEY, MSI, GSI Databar, ITF-14, GS1.
What the checkbox hides—and what it does not guarantee
The setting targets catalog/customer views. In a standard WooCommerce installation, an out-of-stock product is removed from the normal shop and category listings after the setting is enabled. The control is not a universal access rule for every URL or query on the site.
- Direct product URLs: A visitor who already has a product link may still reach the product page, depending on the theme, plugins, permissions, and your redirect rules.
- Search: Search behavior can differ when a theme or search plugin runs its own query instead of using the normal WooCommerce catalog query.
- Widgets and custom blocks: A bespoke product loop may not honor the same visibility filter.
- Cached output: Full-page, object, or edge caching can serve an older result until its cache is purged.
- Theme overrides: A template override can change how stock status is displayed or whether an item is rendered.
Therefore, treat the checkbox as the baseline catalog rule, then test each customer path that matters to your store. If a hidden item remains in a particular component, inspect that component’s query or visibility settings rather than repeatedly toggling the global option.
How variable products and variations behave
Variable products have two visibility layers: the parent product in catalog pages and individual variations in the product-page selection controls. WooCommerce’s documented behavior depends on stock management, quantity, and backorder settings.
When an out-of-stock variation disappears from the dropdown
An out-of-stock variation is hidden from the product-page dropdown only when all of these conditions are true:
- Hide out of stock items from the catalog is enabled.
- Stock is managed at the variation level, not only on the parent product.
- The variation quantity is zero or its stock status is set to out of stock.
- Backorders are disabled for that variation.
If backorders are allowed, the variation remains available in the selector because customers can still place an order for it. Hiding it would contradict the backorder rule.
Rank #2
- Larger battery enables longer continuous usage and twice the stand-by time. With the unique battery indicator light showing the remaining battery level, no more Low Battery Anxiety.
- The curved handle is extended and widened. With specially designed smooth and flat trigger for a better grip.
- The orange anti shock silicone protective cover can prevent scratches and friction even when dropped from up to 6.56 feet. IP54 technology protects the wireless barcode scanner from dust.
- Plug and play with the USB receiver or the USB cable, no driver installation needed. Easy and quick to set up. Wireless transmission distance reaches up to 328 ft. in barrier free environment.
- Supports almost all 1D Barcodes: Febraban Bank Code, Codabar, Code 11, Code93, MSI, Code 128, EAN-128, Code 39, EAN-8, EAN-13, UPC-A, ISBN, Industrial 25, Interleaved 25, Standard 25, Matrix. Reads damaged, fuzzy, reflective and smudged barcodes.
When every variation remains in the selector
If inventory is managed on the parent product rather than on each variation, WooCommerce keeps the variations visible in the dropdown. In that configuration, the system does not have separate variation-level stock data to use for hiding individual choices.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
When the parent variable product remains in the catalog
A parent variable product remains visible in shop and category pages when at least one of its variations is in stock. This lets customers find the product and choose an available combination. If all variations are unavailable, the parent’s catalog visibility follows the out-of-stock rule, subject to the theme, cache, and custom-query caveats above.
Checklist for a variation that refuses to hide
- Edit the variable product and open its Variations panel.
- Confirm that the affected variation has stock management enabled at variation level.
- Check that its quantity is zero or that its stock status is Out of stock.
- Confirm that Allow backorders? is not enabled for that variation.
- Verify that the global catalog checkbox is still enabled.
- Save the product, purge relevant caches, and test the dropdown while logged out.
Choose between hiding products and collecting restock requests
Hiding an unavailable item makes the catalog cleaner, but it removes the product from the normal discovery path that a restock form needs. WooCommerce’s Back In Stock Notifications documentation states that customers cannot sign up for a hidden out-of-stock product or variation. To collect those sign-ups, the catalog-hiding checkbox must be disabled for the products concerned.
| Business goal | Recommended visibility choice | Customer result |
|---|---|---|
| Keep shoppers focused only on purchasable inventory | Enable the global hide setting | Unavailable items are removed from normal catalog views. |
| Build a waiting list for every unavailable item | Leave the hide setting disabled and show a restock form | Visitors can find the product and request an alert. |
| Hide most unavailable items but collect demand for selected products | Use selective visibility or a custom workflow | Rules determine which products stay discoverable and where the sign-up form appears. |
Decide this policy before enabling the checkbox. If a product is hidden first and a notification workflow is added later, customers may have no route to discover the product or register interest. For a mixed strategy, test both a hidden product and a discoverable product, including their variations, to confirm that the chosen extension or custom code handles visibility and sign-up forms together.
When the global checkbox is not enough
Stores often need a rule more precise than “hide every out-of-stock product.” Examples include keeping a discontinued product visible with an explanation, hiding only one category, showing unavailable items to wholesale users, or redirecting visitors away from an unavailable product page.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- 【3-in-1 Multifunction Inventory Barcode Scanner】- The wireless barcode scanner is a multi-functional mode inventory scanner, Including scan gun mode, collection function, and inventory mode. You can create 180 storage libraries and store 400,000 data. Our inventory barcode scanners are mainly used in warehouses, medical, cosmetics stores, supermarkets, banks, logistics, libraries, shops, etc
- 【Powerful Recognition】This bar code scanner can read one-dimensional barcodes and two-dimensional codes in all directions. Identify 1D: Codabar, Code 11, Code93, MSI, Code 128, EAN,UPC,Code 39, UPC-A, ISBN, Industrial 25, Standard25, Matrix;Recognize 2D: QR, DataMatrix, PDF417, Aztec, Micro PDF417. It can also read the QR code on the screen of other smart devices.
- 【2.4G Wireless Long-distance Transmission】- Our wireless barcode scanner is connected to the computer through a 2.4G wireless USB receiver, supports WINDOWS XP/7/8/10 system, and is compatible with office software such as WORD/EXCEL/Text; the inventory barcode scanner transmits distance when there is no obstacle outdoors It can reach 200M/696 feet, and it can reach 50M/164 feet when there are obstacles or indoors
- 【Data Storage】 With Internal 4MB flash, the device can store barcode data when away from the receiver and update the data when back to wireless transmission range. Support up to 100,000 barcodes storage when offline. And if you don’t need to transfer data to the pc, you can have it stored in the device and export it when you need to
- 【Plug and play for Easy Portability】- Insert the USB wireless receiver into the computer, turn on the inventory scanner and connect to the computer immediately, plug and play, no need to install drivers or software, Compatible with most POS systems except those requiring proprietary hardware integrations or direct app-level integration.
Selective rules available through an extension
WooCommerce’s official Sort or Hide Out of Stock for WooCommerce extension documents controls for:
- Hiding out-of-stock products storewide, by category, or by tag.
- Showing or hiding items for particular user roles.
- Applying stock-quantity thresholds instead of waiting for a zero quantity.
- Redirecting visitors from unavailable product pages to a chosen destination.
- Sorting out-of-stock products to the top or bottom rather than removing them.
These controls let a store separate catalog visibility from product-page behavior. For example, a store could leave a product visible until its quantity falls below a threshold, or keep it visible to logged-in trade customers while hiding it from public shoppers.
Third-party selective-visibility plugins
WordPress.org also lists plugins that let store owners choose which out-of-stock products remain visible and where those products appear. Before installing one, verify that its current release supports your WooCommerce and WordPress versions, that it is maintained, and that it works with your theme, caching layer, search tool, and variable-product settings. Test on a staging site or with a limited category before applying a storewide rule.
Extension decision table
| Approach | Scope | Customer experience | Variation handling | Restock capture | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core WooCommerce checkbox | Global catalog visibility | Removes unavailable items from standard catalog views | Depends on variation-level stock and backorders | Hidden products cannot use the documented sign-up flow | Lowest; built into WooCommerce |
| Official sorting/hiding extension | Storewide, category, tag, role, threshold, and redirect rules | Remove, sort, or redirect according to configured rules | Requires testing with each variation and backorder policy | Can support a mixed strategy when configured for discoverability | Additional extension updates and configuration |
| Custom implementation | Any rule your code defines | Can alter queries, templates, labels, and redirects | Must explicitly account for parent and variation stock | Can connect visibility to a bespoke notification workflow | Highest; code must be maintained through platform changes |
Use WooCommerce’s product-query APIs for custom logic
Developers who need reports, integrations, or selective catalog logic can retrieve products through wc_get_products and WC_Product_Query. WooCommerce documents filtering by the stock_status value outofstock. A query identifies unavailable products; it does not, by itself, change what the storefront displays.
<?php
$unavailable_products = wc_get_products( array(
'status' => 'publish',
'stock_status' => 'outofstock',
'limit' => -1,
) );
foreach ( $unavailable_products as $product ) {
echo esc_html( $product->get_name() ) . '<br>';
}
Use this pattern for an inventory report, a feed to another system, or a narrowly scoped rule. If the goal is storefront hiding, the implementation must also alter the relevant catalog query or visibility field and should preserve WooCommerce’s handling of parent products, variations, and backorders. Avoid replacing supported product queries with direct database SQL unless you have a specific compatibility reason and a test plan.
Rank #4
- Compatible with most POS systems except those requiring proprietary hardware integrations or direct app-level integration
- No Software Needed: No need to download or install any software or apps with this sleek handheld 3-in-1 wireless, Bluetooth, and USB scanner with vibration capabilities to help in noisy environments.
- Next Gen Smart Charging Stand: One base that can do it all. Wireless Transmission from stand to scanner. Holds scanner. Charges scanner's built-in rechargeable Li-Ion battery via lighting connectors
- Scan Modes: Connect to Mac or Windows computers, Android or Apple mobile devices, and POS systems to start scanning barcodes with one of the 3 available modes - manual, continuous, and auto sense
- Code Compatibility: Scan 1D barcodes including UPC, EAN, Code128, Code39, Code11, Codabar, and many others; Scan 2D barcodes including PDF417, Aztec code, Data Matrix, QR Code, Micro PDF, Interleaved, and others. Doesn't work with Maxicode
Keep custom code from creating accidental catalog gaps
- Define whether the rule applies to parent products, individual variations, or both.
- Decide how a parent should behave when one variation is available.
- Specify whether backorderable items count as unavailable.
- Check category archives, search, related products, upsells, cross-sells, and custom product blocks.
- Provide a clear response for a direct URL, such as a redirect or an explanatory product page.
- Retest after WooCommerce, WordPress, theme, search, or cache updates.
Troubleshoot products that still appear
The item remains on the shop or category page
- Reopen WooCommerce → Settings → Products → Inventory and confirm the checkbox is enabled.
- Edit the product and verify its stock status is actually out of stock, rather than merely having a low positive quantity.
- Clear page, object, and CDN caches, then test in a private window.
- Check whether the visible card comes from a theme template, page builder, widget, or custom query.
- Temporarily test with the standard WooCommerce shop page to isolate a theme or block issue.
The product page is still reachable
The checkbox is documented as a catalog/customer-view setting, not as a guaranteed URL-disabling feature. If direct access must be blocked or rerouted, configure a redirect rule through an appropriate extension or implement one deliberately in custom code. Decide where customers should go and what message they should see before enabling the redirect.
An unavailable variation remains selectable
Check the four documented conditions: the global hide setting, variation-level stock management, zero quantity or out-of-stock status, and disabled backorders. Parent-level stock management or enabled backorders will keep the variation visible.
Customers cannot join a restock list
That result is expected when the product or variation is hidden. Disable catalog hiding for products that need back-in-stock registration, or use selective visibility that keeps those products discoverable while hiding others.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Operational checklist before going live
- Write down whether your store prioritizes a clean catalog, restock demand capture, or a combination.
- Enable the core setting only if a global rule matches that policy.
- Review variable products with variation-level stock and with parent-level stock.
- Test a backorderable variation and a non-backorderable variation.
- Check shop, category, search, home-page product grids, direct URLs, and mobile layouts.
- Purge every cache layer after changing visibility.
- If using an extension, test role, category, tag, threshold, sorting, and redirect rules separately.
- If using custom code, test queries and storefront output after each platform update.
For most stores, the built-in checkbox is the simplest answer: enable it at the documented settings path and verify the catalog. Move to selective rules or custom code only when the store needs exceptions, redirects, role-based visibility, thresholds, or a restock workflow that conflicts with hiding every unavailable product.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
