Running a successful membership site, regardless of the platform or tools you use, requires seamless and efficient communication with your payment gateways. One often overlooked yet critical element in this equation is to set up the IPN URL in PayPal.

PayPal’s IPN service ensures that every transaction, be it a new recurring payment profile, payment failure, or refund, is immediately and accurately recorded in your website.

Whether you’re a seasoned site owner or just starting out, this guide simplifies the process of setting up the IPN URL in PayPal, ensuring you’re on the right track.

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You should always set the IPN URL in your PayPal settings when using any PayPal gateway with PMPro. Continue reading to better understand why you need to set an IPN URL in your PayPal settings.

How to set your IPN URL in PayPal

Time needed: 15 minutes

Follow the steps below to configure your PayPal IPN URL:

  1. Log in to https://www.paypal.com/us/signin

    Enter your account email address and password to log in to PayPal.Screenshot of the PayPal log in page

  2. Go to “Account Settings” > “Website Payments”.

    In the dropdown menu under your account name in the upper right, select “Account Settings”. The Account Settings page has a left side navigation bar. Select “Website Payments” (located toward the bottom of this menu.In your PayPal Account, navigate to Account Settings in the upper right menu

  3. Under “Instant Payment Notifications” click “Update”.

    In the main area of the “Website Payments” page, scroll down to the “Instant Payment Notifications” section. Click “Update”.Click the link to Update in the Instant Payment Notification section

  4. Click “Edit Settings”.

    Once on the IPN page, click the button to “Edit Settings”.
    Click the button to Edit settings on the IPN page of your PayPal Account

  5. Set your “Notification URL” and Enable “IPN Messages”

    Your site’s “Notification URL” can be found in the WordPress admin under Memberships > Settings > Payment Gateway & SSL. Confirm that the setting for “IPN Messages” is set to “Receive IPN Messages (Enabled)”. Save settings.
    Edit and Enable your PayPal Instant Payment Notification URL

Verify IPN Settings in PayPal

After completing the steps above, the PayPal Instant Payment Notifications page should look like the image below.

  • You’ve populated the “Notification URL” field and the value exactly matches that in your membership site under Memberships > Settings > Payment Gateway & SSL > IPN Handler URL
  • You’ve Enabled the “Message delivery” field.
  • The button is “Turn Off IPN” is greyed out. You can confirm that IPN is On.
PayPal Instant Payment Notifications Settings Page
This is how your PayPal account’s Instant Payment Notifications Settings Page should look.

What is PayPal IPN?

PayPal IPN is a service that sends real-time payment alerts to your website. These events can include payments received, payments refunded, chargebacks, and more. In essence, IPN acts as a communication bridge between PayPal and your website. Through this bridge, your site updates immediately when the transaction status changes.

For PMPro membership sites, IPN integration becomes vital for a few reasons:

  1. Automatic Updates: With IPN, your membership site can automatically update user memberships, extend membership durations, or revoke access based on received payments or payment failures.
  2. Efficient Problem-Solving: If any payment issues arise, IPN messages can provide specific details about the transaction, making it easier for you to troubleshoot.
  3. Security: IPN messages from PayPal are always verified. This ensures that your website receives legitimate and safe transaction data.

In conclusion, PayPal IPN is not just a feature; it’s a necessity. Membership sites need to offer a seamless and reliable user experience. Integrating IPN is a step you can’t afford to skip.

Get Support for Issues With IPN

Successfully setting up your IPN URL with PayPal is imperative for seamless transactions and accurate record-keeping on your PMPro membership site.

Following the outlined steps ensures that you get the best out of both worlds – a reliable payment gateway and a robust membership management system.

If you are still having IPN issues, this may be due to something with your hosting or WP setup or a bug in our code. We have some IPN troubleshooting tips here. And if you open a new ticket in the private support area, we can follow up with you to get it resolved.

Join our free community of membership site creators.

PMPro offers a community Slack space for members, and you’re invited. Learn more about the community’s free benefits and get a link to join Slack now.

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Jason Coleman

Author: Jason Coleman

Jason Coleman is the co-founder and CEO of Paid Memberships Pro, the most trusted membership platform that grows with you. With a deep passion for open source software, Jason is the author of Building Web Apps With WordPress, published by O'Reilly Media.

Jason's entrepreneurial spirit is driven by uncertainty, risk, and the thrill of new opportunities. With over two decades of experience in development, management, and marketing, he is committed to Paid Memberships Pro: the only open source platform focused on helping creators get paid so they can find freedom in their life and fulfill their goals.

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