Use Case
Shopware 6 import/export not working: causes and solutions
The import hangs, special characters are broken, prices suddenly read 1,990 instead of 19.90 euros: most problems with import and export in Shopware 6 have a few recurring causes. Here are the most common ones and how to avoid them.
What the PIM does here
- Preview before import: new, changed and skipped rows, warnings and errors before anything is written.
- Strict mode: if an error occurs, all changes already imported are reset automatically.
- Runs in the admin: the import works in batches with a progress display, without its own background queue.
- Undo: "Undo last import" restores the values from before.
The most common causes
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Import stays "pending" | The Shopware import works via the message queue, without a running worker nothing happens | Check worker or scheduled tasks on the server, or import in the PIM, which works directly in the admin |
| Broken special characters | File not saved as UTF-8 | Save as UTF-8. The PIM export writes UTF-8 with BOM so Excel shows characters correctly |
| Wrong prices, such as 1990 instead of 19.90 | Comma and dot swapped as decimal separator | In the PIM the import detects comma or dot per column |
| Everything in one column | Wrong separator | Choose semicolon, comma or tab and save it in the profile |
| Products created twice | Matching on a column that does not fit | Match by product number, EAN, manufacturer number or ID, mode "Update only" |
| Category not found | Categories and units must exist | Create the category first, the error shows in the preview |
| Export aborts or is empty | Too many products at once or a filter without hits | Set the maximum per export in the PIM (default 5,000) and check the filter |
After a Shopware update, clearing the cache and running the indexing again often helps already.
Prevent instead of repair
- Start with an export: the export file has exactly the columns and format the import expects.
- Save a profile: set mapping, separator and mode once.
- Read the preview: take warnings about duplicate product numbers or rows without a number seriously.
- A small run first: test 10 rows, then the whole file.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my Shopware import hang?
The built-in import works via the message queue. If no worker runs on the server, it stops. The PIM import works directly in the admin in batches.
Why are special characters broken after the import?
The file was not saved as UTF-8. Save it as UTF-8. The PIM export writes UTF-8 with BOM.
Can I undo a faulty import?
In the PIM, yes: "Undo last import" in the change log, with strict mode even automatically on the first error.
Which file formats does the PIM import read?
CSV, TSV, XML, DATANORM and Excel (.xlsx and .xls), by upload or from a URL.
Further reading
- Import Shopware products: CSV, Excel and mapping
- Export Shopware products: profiles and columns
- Replacement for Import/Export Advanced: for Shopware 5 switchers
- CSV import and export: guide: all settings