---
title: "Set the Default and Payment-Gateway Order Statuses"
description: Override the status new WooCommerce orders start in, globally and per payment gateway.
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/extra-functionality-overview/"
updated: "2026-09-27"
category: How to
tags:
  - Automated Order Status Controller for WooCommerce
---

# Set the Default and Payment-Gateway Order Statuses

To change the WooCommerce default order status, or the status orders get after Direct bank transfer, Check payments or Cash on delivery checkout, use [Scheduled & Automatic Order Status Controller for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/order-status-rules-for-woocommerce/). Go to **WPFactory > Order Status Rules > Extra**, pick the statuses you want and save. These options are free.

Besides time-based rules, Order Status Rules can override the status new orders start in, both globally and per built-in payment gateway. These controls live in the **Extra** section.

## Where to find it

Go to **WPFactory > Order Status Rules** (also reachable at **WooCommerce > Settings > Order Status Rules**) and open the **Extra** section.

![Extra section showing Default Order Status and Process Payment Order Status](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/extra-functionality-overview-1.png)

## Step by step

1. Open the **Extra** section as above.
2. Under **Default Order Status**, pick a status in **Default order status**, or leave **No changes...**.
3. Under **Process Payment Order Status**, pick a status for **Direct bank transfer**, **Check payments** and **Cash on delivery (COD)** as needed. Leave any of them on **No changes...** to keep WooCommerce's behavior.
4. Click **Save changes**.
5. Place a test order with the gateway you changed and check its status under **WooCommerce > Orders**.

## Default order status

**Default order status** (`alg_wc_order_status_rules_default_order_status`, default *No changes...*) sets the status applied to *all* newly created orders, whatever the payment method. Leave it on **No changes...** to keep the WooCommerce default of **Pending payment**, or pick another status to override it.

A payment gateway can still change the status right after the order is created, when it processes the payment. For the three core offline gateways, use the options below to control that step.

## Process Payment Order Status

These options override the status set inside each gateway's own "process payment" step. Each is empty (**No changes...**) by default, which means the gateway's normal WooCommerce behavior applies.

| Gateway | Option ID | WooCommerce default |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Direct bank transfer (BACS) | `alg_wc_order_status_rules_bacs_process_payment_order_status` | On hold |
| Check payments | `alg_wc_order_status_rules_cheque_process_payment_order_status` | On hold |
| Cash on delivery (COD) | `alg_wc_order_status_rules_cod_process_payment_order_status` | Processing (or On hold for downloadable orders) |

For example, set **Cash on delivery (COD)** to **On hold** if you want to confirm COD orders manually before fulfillment. These three options cover the WooCommerce core gateways only; other gateways are not listed here.

## Common setups

- **Bank transfer orders as Pending payment:** set **Direct bank transfer** to **Pending payment** so unpaid transfers do not look like orders waiting for action.
- **Use a custom status:** the lists include every status registered in WooCommerce, so a custom status such as "Awaiting transfer" from another plugin can be selected.
- **Cancel unpaid transfers later:** combine the Extra options with a rule, see [how to automatically cancel unpaid orders](https://wpfactory.com/docs/woocommerce-auto-cancel-unpaid-orders/).

**Note:** the Extra options change the status an order *starts* in. To move an order between statuses later (for example, cancel it after a delay), use a rule in a **Rule** section instead.

## If it does not work

- The **Enable plugin** switch in the General section is off. The Extra options only load while the plugin is enabled.
- The order was paid with a gateway other than the three listed, so its own status logic applies.
- A rule, or another plugin, changed the status right after checkout. Check the order notes and the status history on the order screen.
- You expected existing orders to change. These options only affect new orders.

## FAQ

### What is the WooCommerce default status for Direct bank transfer orders?

On hold. Pick another status in **Direct bank transfer** to change it.

### Can I set a default status per product or per customer?

Not in the Extra section. Use a rule with product or user conditions to move matching orders to another status. See [the rule conditions reference](https://wpfactory.com/docs/order-status-rule-conditions-reference/).

### Are these options part of Pro?

No. The Extra section is fully available in the free version. Pro only lifts the one-rule limit.

### Combine with automated rules

The Extra options are free. To pair them with more than one time-based rule, [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/).

Need a hand? Our team answers every ticket on the [Order Status Rules support forum](https://wpfactory.com/support/item/order-status-rules-for-woocommerce/).

Related articles

- [Automate WooCommerce Order Statuses: Install and Get Started](https://wpfactory.com/docs/automate-order-status/)
- [How to Automatically Complete WooCommerce Orders](https://wpfactory.com/docs/woocommerce-auto-complete-orders/)
- [How to Schedule Order Status Changes with Time Triggers](https://wpfactory.com/docs/schedule-order-status-changes-time-triggers/)
- [How to Copy and Reset Order Status Rule Settings](https://wpfactory.com/docs/copy-and-reset-order-status-rule-settings/)
- [Run Order Status Rules Automatically: Cron and Action Scheduler](https://wpfactory.com/docs/automatic-order-status-processing-cron/)

 

[![Automated Order Status Controller for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Order-Status-Rules-for-WooCommerce.webp)](https://wpfactory.com/item/order-status-rules-for-woocommerce/)