As an Amazon seller, the Seller app is one of your most powerful tools for managing your business on the go. But when the Amazon Seller app is not working properly, it can grind your productivity to a halt and hurt your bottom line. In fact, 73% of Amazon sellers say they use the mobile app to handle at least some aspects of their account, so any downtime or issues can have a major impact.
I‘ve worked in ecommerce and retail for over a decade, and I‘ve seen firsthand how damaging app problems can be for sellers. If you‘re struggling with the Amazon Seller app not working, don‘t panic. In most cases, you can troubleshoot and resolve the issue quickly.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through the most common Amazon Seller app problems and provide expert tips for fixing them. I‘ll also share best practices for optimizing the app‘s performance and answer frequently asked questions. By the end of this post, you‘ll have all the knowledge you need to keep the Seller app running smoothly.
Common Amazon Seller App Problems
First, let‘s look at some of the most prevalent issues sellers face with the Amazon Seller app:
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App won‘t load or keeps crashing. If the app fails to load or repeatedly crashes, it can make it impossible to get any work done.
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Login issues. Problems signing in to your seller account in the app can be extremely frustrating.
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Slow performance and lag. If the app is sluggish and unresponsive, even simple tasks can take forever.
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Difficulty scanning product barcodes. Many sellers use the app to scan product barcodes for listing and inventory purposes. If the scanning function isn‘t working, it can halt your workflow.
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Missing or outdated sales data. The app should surface real-time sales figures and reports. When this information is missing or not up-to-date, it makes it difficult to make informed business decisions.
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Notification problems. If you‘re not getting notified of important events like sales or low stock alerts, you could miss out on opportunities or face other issues.
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Inability to access key features. Sometimes certain functions within the app, like inventory management, fail to load or work properly.
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Syncing issues with Seller Central. The data in the app should match what you see in your seller dashboard on a desktop. If information isn‘t syncing across devices, it leads to confusion and mistakes.
According to a survey by JungleScout, 35% of Amazon sellers say that software problems like app issues are a major challenge for their business. But the good news is that most of these problems are easily fixable with some basic troubleshooting.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Amazon Seller App Issues
Now I‘ll guide you through a detailed troubleshooting process to resolve problems with your Amazon Seller app. Follow these steps in order until you find the solution:
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Double check your internet connection. More than 90% of app issues are caused by poor internet connectivity. Make sure your device is connected to a stable WiFi network or cellular data connection. Try switching between WiFi and data to see if the issue resolves.
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Install any available app updates. If you‘re not running the most current version of the Amazon Seller app, you may experience bugs or performance issues. Check the App Store or Google Play Store for updates and install them promptly.
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Force quit and restart the app. Often, simply closing the app completely and reopening it will resolve any temporary glitches. On iOS, swipe up from the bottom of your screen and pause in the middle, then swipe up on the app preview to force quit. On Android, you can force stop the app in your Settings under Apps > Amazon Seller.
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Restart your device. If restarting the app doesn‘t help, power your smartphone or tablet down completely and turn it back on. This will close any background processes that could be interfering with the Seller app.
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Check Amazon server status. While rare, Amazon server outages can cause the Seller app to malfunction. Visit the Amazon Web Services status page to check for any known issues with Amazon‘s infrastructure.
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Clear cache and data. Clearing the app‘s cached data can resolve issues caused by corrupted files. Go to your device settings and find the Amazon Seller app. Tap "Clear Cache" and "Clear Data" on Android, or uninstall and reinstall the app on iOS to clear the cache.
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Delete unused apps and files. The Amazon Seller app needs adequate memory and storage to function. Check your device‘s storage in settings and remove any unneeded apps or media files to free up space.
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Disable battery saver and VPN. Battery saver mode and VPN apps can interfere with the Amazon Seller app‘s functionality. Make sure low power mode is turned off in your device settings and temporarily disable any VPN services.
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Review your Amazon seller account health. If you‘re having login issues with the app, your seller account may be suspended for some reason. Login to your account directly at sellercentral.amazon.com and check your Account Health page for any red flags, like performance metrics below targets or policy violations.
"Ultimately, my most important recommendation is to be proactive in monitoring your seller account health. If Amazon suspends your account, you‘ll be blocked from logging in on the Seller app, which causes big disruptions to your business. Regularly check your performance metrics and address any warning signs immediately."
— Liz Fickenscher, ecommerce consultant and former Amazon category manager
If you‘ve worked through all of these troubleshooting steps and you‘re still having problems with the Amazon Seller app, it‘s time to contact seller support for additional assistance.
Optimizing Amazon Seller App Performance
Beyond fixing issues when they arise, there are several things you can do to keep the Amazon Seller app running smoothly:
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Always keep your device charged when using the app. The app will drain your battery more quickly and may crash if your device‘s battery is low. If possible, keep your phone or tablet plugged in while using the app heavily.
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Close other apps running in the background. Any apps running in the background will use your device‘s memory, which could make the Seller app lag. Completely close out of other apps before running Amazon Seller, especially memory-heavy programs like video or gaming apps.
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Install operating system updates. Keep your device‘s OS updated to the latest version to ensure optimal app performance and security. Major OS updates often include under-the-hood improvements and bug fixes.
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Opt for a strong WiFi connection over cellular data when possible. The Seller app will run much faster on a high-speed WiFi connection versus mobile data. If you use the app frequently on the go, consider using a mobile hotspot so you can connect your device to WiFi.
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Clear app cache and data periodically. Don‘t wait until you experience issues to clear the app cache. I recommend clearing it at least once per month, or more frequently if you use the app heavily.
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Set up app notifications for key events. By default, the Seller app will notify you about all sorts of events, which can bog down performance. In the app notification settings, choose to only be alerted of important things like inventory issues or pricing alerts. Turn off notifications for minor events that you don‘t need to take immediate action on.
Comparing the Amazon Seller App to Other Ecommerce Apps
While the Amazon Seller app is a critical tool for sellers on the platform, it‘s not the only ecommerce management app out there. Here‘s how it compares to a few other popular options:
| App | Platforms | Key Features | Limitations | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Seller | iOS, Android | Manage orders and inventory, respond to messages, scan product barcodes, analyze sales | Can‘t bulk edit listings, reporting capabilities are limited | Generally stable, occasional issues with scanning and syncing |
| eBay Seller | iOS, Android | List items, manage orders, offer customer service, view sales reports | Doesn‘t support eBay Motors listings, limited functionality compared to desktop | Prone to bugs and crashes |
| Shopify | iOS, Android | Manage orders and products, view analytics, receive order notifications | Only works for Shopify stores, some advanced features require higher plan tiers | Fast and reliable with the occasional synchronization glitch |
| BigCommerce | iOS, Android | Add and edit products, manage orders, view store analytics | Only works with BigCommerce stores, no integrated barcode scanning | Slower to load than other apps but relatively stable |
Ultimately, if you sell primarily or exclusively on Amazon, the Seller app is a must-have tool, despite its occasional performance hiccups. It offers the most convenient way to manage your Amazon business from your smartphone or tablet.
The eBay Seller app is comparable if you sell on that platform, while the Shopify and BigCommerce apps are good options if you run your own ecommerce website on those platforms. Depending on your business model, it may be worth using multiple apps to manage sales across different channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Finally, let‘s wrap up with answers to some of the most common questions I hear about the Amazon Seller app:
Q: Can I run my entire Amazon business from the Seller mobile app?
A: In theory you could, but I wouldn‘t recommend it. The app is great for managing most day-to-day tasks, but some things, like bulk listing uploads or detailed reporting, are much easier on desktop. I suggest using the app for on-the-go management, but doing the bulk of your work in Seller Central.
Q: What is the Amazon Seller app scan feature?
A: The Seller app includes a barcode scanner that you can use to create listings and check prices/sales rank for products. Simply tap the camera icon in the app and hover your phone over the barcode. The scanner will populate the product information (if it‘s in Amazon‘s catalog) or allow you to create a new listing with the product identifiers auto-filled.
Q: How can I tell what app version I have?
A: On both iOS and Android, you can go to the Settings within the Amazon Seller app and look for the "About" section – your current app version will be listed there. You can cross-reference this with the latest version number in the App Store or Google Play Store to see if you need to update.
Q: Can multiple users log in to the same Amazon Seller account on the app?
A: Yes, multiple users can log in to the same Seller Central account using the app on different devices. However, I don‘t recommend sharing your login credentials widely. Instead, set up user permissions in Seller Central for any team members who need app access. This ensures everyone logs in with their own username so you can monitor account access.
Q: Are there any alternatives to the Amazon Seller app?
A: Amazon does offer the Seller Central website, which you can access from the web browser on your mobile device. However, the mobile site isn‘t nearly as user-friendly as the app. There are also some third-party tools, like SellerMobile, that aim to replicate and enhance the functionality of the Seller app. But these will typically require a monthly subscription fee on top of your Professional seller plan.
The Amazon Seller app may not be perfect, but it‘s still the best way for Amazon sellers to manage their business on mobile devices. By following the troubleshooting steps and best practices outlined in this guide, you‘ll be able to resolve most common issues and optimize the app‘s performance.
If you have any lingering questions or concerns, Amazon Seller Support is just a tap away in the app. You can also connect with other sellers in the Amazon Seller Forums to trade tips and discuss app issues.
The bottom line is that while app problems are frustrating, they don‘t have to derail your Amazon business. With a little know-how and proactive management, you can keep the Seller app running like a well-oiled machine. Here‘s to your continued success as an Amazon seller!
