---
title: "Test Payment"
description: "Test Payment adds a payment method that completes checkout without contacting a payment processor. Use it on development and staging stores to test the order flow, emails and confirmation page. Do…"
url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6/payment-methods/payment_test"
markdown_url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6/payment-methods/payment_test.md"
last_updated: "2026-11-14T12:20:52+00:00"
version: "J2Commerce 6"
breadcrumbs:
  - title: "Home"
    url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/"
  - title: "J2Commerce 6"
    url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6"
  - title: "Payment Methods"
    url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6/payment-methods"
  - title: "Test Payment"
    url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6/payment-methods/payment_test"
---

# Test Payment

Test Payment adds a payment method that completes checkout without contacting a payment processor. Use it on development and staging stores to test the order flow, emails and confirmation page.

Do not enable it on a live store. Anyone who selects it can place an order without paying.

## Requirements

- Joomla 6.0.0 or later.
- J2Commerce 6.6.4 or later, installed and enabled.

---

## Installation

1. Go to **System** -> **Install** -> **Extensions**.
2. Upload the Test Payment package.
3. Go to **System** -> **Plugins** and search for **Test Payment Gateway**.
4. Open the plugin, set the options below and set **Status** to Enabled.
5. Save the plugin.

> **Warning:** Use this plugin only on development sites. Disable it before the store goes live.

---

## Settings

| Setting | What It Does | Default | Options |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Display Name | Name shown to the customer at checkout. | Test Payment Gateway | Text |
| Display Image | Image shown next to the payment method. | Empty | Media picker |
| Surcharge Name | Label of the fee line added to the order. | Empty (the core surcharge label is used) | Text |
| Surcharge Percent | Percentage fee. It is calculated on subtotal plus shipping and shipping tax. | Empty | Number |
| Surcharge Fixed | Fixed fee added to the order. It is added to the percentage fee if both are set. | Empty | Number |
| Surcharge Tax Class | Tax profile applied to the surcharge. The surcharge is not taxed when none is chosen. | Empty | Tax profiles |
| Minimum Subtotal | Smallest order subtotal that can use this method. | 0.000 | 0 for no minimum |
| Maximum Subtotal | Largest order subtotal that can use this method. | -1.00 | -1 for no maximum |
| Order Status | Status the order gets after a test payment when no other status is chosen at checkout. | 4 | Order statuses |
| Geozone Restriction | Limits the method to customers whose billing address is in the geozone. | Empty (no restriction) | Geozones |
| Support Subscription | Allows the method for subscription products. | Yes | Yes, No |
| Thanks Message | Article shown on the confirmation page. | Empty | Article picker |
| On Selection Text | Text shown when the customer selects the method. | Empty | Text |
| On Before Payment Text | Text shown above the payment button. | Empty | Text |
| On After Payment Text | Text shown after the payment is processed. | Empty | Text |
| On Error Payment Text | Message shown when the payment fails. | Empty | Text |
| Button Text | Label of the checkout button. | Place Order | Text |
| Subtemplate | Layout set used for the checkout forms. | Empty (follows the checkout menu item framework) | bootstrap5, uikit |

---

## Checkout Behavior

At the payment step the customer sees a **Final Order Status (test)** list. It holds every enabled order status and starts on Confirmed.

Choose a status and click the button to finish the order with that status. Use this to preview the confirmation page, emails and notifications for each outcome.

If Confirmed is not enabled, the list starts on the first enabled status.

---

## Common Setups

### Test a Failed Order

1. Add a product to the cart and go to checkout.
2. Select the test payment method.
3. In **Final Order Status (test)**, choose the status to test.
4. Click the checkout button and review the confirmation page and order history.

### Test Payment Surcharges

Set **Surcharge Name** and a percent or fixed amount. Select the method at checkout and check the fee line in the order totals.

---

## Troubleshooting

### The Method Does Not Appear at Checkout

Check that the plugin is enabled. Check that the order subtotal is inside Minimum Subtotal and Maximum Subtotal, and that the billing address is in the Geozone Restriction.

### Installation Is Refused

The message "J2Commerce component must be installed and enabled before installing this plugin." means J2Commerce is missing or disabled. The message "You are using an old version of J2Commerce. Please upgrade to 6.6.4 or later." means J2Commerce must be updated first.

### Payment Shows an Error

"An error occurred processing your test payment. Please contact support." appears when the order cannot be found or its status cannot be updated. "Invalid test payment request." appears when the order was not placed with this method or the security hash does not match. Restart checkout and try again.

---

## Uninstalling

1. Go to **System** -> **Manage** -> **Extensions**.
2. Search for **Test Payment Gateway**.
3. Select the plugin and click **Uninstall**.