---
title: "Run Order Status Rules Automatically: Cron and Action Scheduler"
description: Run WooCommerce order status rules in the background with WP Cron, Action Scheduler or a server cron.
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/automatic-order-status-processing-cron/"
updated: "2026-09-27"
category: How to
---

# Run Order Status Rules Automatically: Cron and Action Scheduler

Rules with a time delay need something to re-check orders in the background. [Scheduled & Automatic Order Status Controller for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/order-status-rules-for-woocommerce/) can process rules with WordPress cron, with Action Scheduler, or through a URL you call from a real server cron job. All three options are available in the free version.

### Where to configure it

Go to **WPFactory > Order Status Rules** (also reachable at **WooCommerce > Settings > Order Status Rules**) and open the **Advanced** section, **Periodical Processing Options**.

![Periodical Processing Options in the Advanced section](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/automatic-order-status-processing-cron-1.png)

### Option 1: WP Cron

1. Enable **Use WP cron** (`alg_wc_order_status_rules_use_wp_cron`, on by default).
2. Set the **Interval** (`alg_wc_order_status_rules_wp_cron_schedule`, default **Once hourly**). Choices range from once every minute to once weekly.

WP Cron only runs when your site receives a visit. On low-traffic stores the timing can drift, so a delayed rule may fire later than expected.

### Option 2: Action Scheduler

1. Enable **Use Action Scheduler** (`alg_wc_order_status_rules_use_action_scheduler`, default off).
2. Set the **Interval (in seconds)** (`alg_wc_order_status_rules_action_scheduler_interval`, default `3600`, minimum `60`).

Action Scheduler is bundled with WooCommerce and is generally more reliable for busy stores. It has its own admin screen at **WooCommerce > Status > Scheduled Actions**, where you can watch the `alg_wc_order_status_rules_process_rules_as` action.

**Recommendation:** enable only one of the two periodical options. Running both is unnecessary. If you disable both, use the URL method below with a real server cron.

### Option 3: server cron via URL

To bypass WP Cron entirely, enable **Allow rules processing via URL** in the Advanced section, then have your server's cron call the endpoint:

```
https://example.com/?alg_wc_order_status_rules_process_rules
```

This runs all rules on each call. It is the most predictable option on stores that already use system cron.

### If crons are disabled

If your site defines `DISABLE_WP_CRON`, WordPress cron will not fire on its own. The Periodical Processing section shows a warning when this is the case. Use a real server cron with the URL method, or set up Action Scheduler through system cron.

### Run it now

To process orders immediately without waiting for the next scheduled run, use **Run all rules now** on the **Tools** section.

### Scale up your automation

Automatic processing drives your single free rule. To run several rules on the same schedule, [Order Status Rules](https://wpfactory.com/item/order-status-rules-for-woocommerce/) Pro removes the single-rule limit. [See what Pro unlocks](https://wpfactory.com/item/order-status-rules-for-woocommerce/).

Related articles

- [Order Status Rules Tools: Run All Rules Now](https://wpfactory.com/docs/overview-of-tools/)
- [How to Copy and Reset Order Status Rule Settings](https://wpfactory.com/docs/copy-and-reset-order-status-rule-settings/)
- [Advanced Options in Order Status Rules](https://wpfactory.com/docs/advanced-options-overview/)
- [How to Set Up an Order Status Rule (Worked Example)](https://wpfactory.com/docs/setting-the-rule/)
- [Order Status Rules Options Explained](https://wpfactory.com/docs/status-rules-options/)