• ORDER VALIDATIONS • SETUP GUIDE

How to Add Custom Error Messages to Shopify Checkout Validation

By Rivio Support Team
2 min read

What you will achieve in this guide

Follow the feature-specific setup and testing instructions below. Check the supported pages and plan requirements before activating the feature.

EXPECTED SETUP TIME Varies by feature
COMPATIBILITY See requirements in this guide
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY Zero Code Required

Order validation rules prevent checkout when a cart or buyer matches a disallowed condition, and show a message explaining how to continue.

How this feature works

A validation describes an invalid checkout state and shows an actionable error when that state matches. Checkout completion evaluates at Pay now; Checkout interaction can provide earlier evaluation when selected. Active status, schedule, and run location all matter. A rule with no conditions can affect every checkout.

Before you begin

Open Apps > Rivio Checkout Customizer in the intended store. Prepare the cart, customer, products, address, or order needed by the example, and check the feature’s supported inputs before activating it.

Worked example: Make validation errors explain the correction

Example setup: An existing quantity rule blocking more than 10 units.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Open the quantity validation and confirm its invalid-case condition is greater than 10 for the intended item.

  2. Replace Invalid order with Reduce this item to 10 or fewer units.

  3. Choose the supported Error message location closest to the issue, or the available general location when no item-specific location exists.

  4. Enable Checkout interaction only if you want early evaluation; retain Checkout completion for the intended final enforcement.

  5. Save as Active, create an 11-unit checkout, and trigger the selected run location.

  6. Reduce to 10, retry, and check that this error disappears without leaving stale wording.

Verify the result

Test case Expected result or verification
11 units The message names the limit and tells the buyer what to change.
10 units after correction The rule no longer displays its blocking error.
Completion-only run location Do not expect the message to appear on every earlier field interaction.

If the result is different

Check What it means / what to do
Never fires Check Active status, included dates/days, matching invalid inputs, and Run location.
Blocks everyone Inspect empty conditions or an overly broad any/OR branch.
Still blocks after correction Retest the same amount/product/address basis and review other active validations.

Need help?

Email support@rivioapps.com with your store domain, feature name, target page, the relevant settings, and a screenshot of the actual result. Include the test cart, customer, or order details needed to reproduce the issue.

Screenshot reference

Screenshot to add: The saved settings described in this guide, with its selected conditions or scope visible.

Screenshot to add: The worked example’s actual customer result or saved Shopify record, including the relevant test inputs.