---
title: How to Set a Countdown Timer for Ticket Purchases in Eventin
description: "The **Checkout Timer** is a powerful feature designed to prevent duplicate or abandoned event ticket purchases by setting a countdown during the checkout process. When enabled, this feature temporarily holds a seat for a specified time (e.g., 5 minutes). If…"
url: "https://themewinter.com/docs/plugins/eventin/how-to-set-a-countdown-timer-for-ticket-purchases-in-eventin/"
updated: "2026-03-15"
category: Eventin / Event Attendees
---

# How to Set a Countdown Timer for Ticket Purchases in Eventin

The **Checkout Timer** is a powerful feature designed to prevent duplicate or abandoned event ticket purchases by setting a countdown during the checkout process. When enabled, this feature temporarily holds a seat for a specified time (e.g., 5 minutes). If the customer fails to complete the payment within this time, the reservation will be released, making the seat available again for others.

This helps:

- Reduce overbooking or duplicate bookings.
- Increase fairness by giving all users an equal chance to book.
- Create urgency during ticket purchase.

### **How to Enable the Checkout Timer**

To activate and configure the Checkout Timer:

1. Go to **Eventin → Settings** from your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to the **Payment** tab.
3. Scroll down to the **Checkout Settings** section.
4. Enable the **Checkout Timer** option.
5. Set the desired **Countdown Time** (in minutes). For example: `5` minutes.
6. Click **Save Changes**.

![](https://themewinter.com/docs/plugins/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/etn_checkout_timer_enable-1024x382.png)

> Once enabled, the timer will display on the checkout page, showing users how much time they have to complete their payment before their reservation expires.

### **Frontend Behavior**

- When a user begins the checkout process, a visible countdown timer appears.
- During this time, the selected seat(s) or ticket(s) are temporarily held.
- If the user **completes payment within the set time**, the purchase is confirmed as usual.
- If the countdown **expires without payment**, the seat is released automatically and becomes available to others.

![](https://themewinter.com/docs/plugins/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/etn_checkout_timer_2-1024x564.png)

### **Frontend Behavior with Visual Seat Map**

When the **Visual Seat Map** is enabled, and a user begins the checkout process, the seat(s) they select are temporarily locked and marked as unavailable for others.

![](https://themewinter.com/docs/plugins/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/etn_checkout_timer_seat_1-1024x555.png)

If someone else visits the event page from a different browser or device during this time, they will see that those seats are currently **unavailable**.

![](https://themewinter.com/docs/plugins/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/etn_checkout_timer_seat_2.png)

This ensures better inventory control and avoids accidental double booking.

### **Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)**

**Q1: What happens if the user refreshes the checkout page during the timer?**
The timer continues from where it left off. Refreshing the page does not reset or extend the countdown.

**Q2: Can I disable the timer for certain events only?**
No, the checkout timer is a global setting. Once enabled, it applies to all event checkouts.

**Q3: Does the seat get automatically released after the timer ends?**
Yes, if the payment is not completed within the set time, the reserved ticket is automatically released and becomes available again.

**Q4: Will the timer work with all payment gateways?**
The timer works independently of payment gateways. However, it’s recommended to test it with your active gateway (such as WooCommerce or Stripe) to ensure full compatibility.

### **Conclusion**

The **Checkout Timer** feature in Eventin adds a layer of reliability to the ticketing process. It ensures that seats are fairly reserved only for committed buyers and prevents accidental overbooking. By creating a sense of urgency, it can also help improve conversions.