# 'Insufficient OPS' when placing an order: what to do | Raal Help Center

> Why you hit the Insufficient OPS error and the fastest ways to clear it.

Source: https://raal.io/help/troubleshooting-and-faqs/insufficient-ops-when-placing-an-order-what-to-do

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Troubleshooting & FAQs

# 'Insufficient OPS' when placing an order: what to do

Why you hit the Insufficient OPS error and the fastest ways to clear it.

2 min read Updated 18 August 2026

# If the platform blocks an order with an **Insufficient OPS** message

Your current balance is lower than the OPS cost of the order. Here's how to recover.

## What just happened

When you click **Place order** (or **Proceed To Checkout** on Step 3), Raal compares the order's required OPS to your current balance. If the balance isn't enough, the order isn't created and a top-up modal pops up.

For subscription customers, the top-up modal opens automatically.

## Subscription customers: top up and retry

1.  The **Top-up OPS** modal opens automatically. Pick a pack size at your tier's top-up rate.

2.  Confirm in the Stripe checkout view that appears.

3.  Pay. OPS land in your balance within a few seconds.

4.  The platform brings you back to the order; click **Place order** again and it should go through.

If the modal doesn't open for some reason:

1.  Go to **Configuration > Plans**.

2.  Click **Top-up OPS** in the top right.

3.  Buy a pack, then return to your order.

## PAYG customers

PAYG accounts pay per shipment. If you want to use services that consume OPS you need to be on Starter or higher tier:

1.  **Upgrade to Starter** (or higher) and run through the top-up flow described above.

## Check what's eating the balance

If you regularly hit Insufficient OPS, look at where consumption is coming from:

1.  Go to **Configuration > OPS Ledger**.

2.  Filter by a recent period (e.g. **Current month**).

3.  Sort by amount (or just scan the table). Big-cost entries to look for:

    -   **Pay after fulfilment** (20 OPS per order; adds up fast).

    -   **Monthly consolidated invoice** (500 OPS per month).

    -   **Customs clearance** (20 OPS per order).

    -   **Accessories** (10 each).

    -   **API calls** (2 each; can mount up if you have many automations).

## Avoid hitting it again

-   **Buy a larger top-up pack** at the better per-OPS rate (top-up rate is the same regardless of pack size at most tiers, but larger packs save you trips through Stripe).

-   **Upgrade to a higher plan** if you consistently exceed your monthly allotment. The per-OPS price drops at higher tiers.

-   **Switch payment policy** if Pay after fulfilment is eating your OPS. Pay at order placement costs 0 OPS but requires you to pay at checkout time.

## Related articles

-   [Buying additional OPS (the top-up flow)](/plans-and-ops-credits/buying-additional-ops-the-top-up-flow)

-   [How OPS are consumed](/plans-and-ops-credits/how-ops-are-consumed)

-   [Subscription plans explained](/plans-and-ops-credits/subscription-plans-explained)

-   [Switching plans: upgrade and downgrade](/plans-and-ops-credits/switching-plans-upgrade-and-downgrade)

On this page

-   [What just happened](#zq587xf7wc2)
-   [Subscription customers: top up and retry](#fx5wdpystx7)
-   [PAYG customers](#t1bltz28ysl)
-   [Check what's eating the balance](#tb6xdwc1xe8)
-   [Avoid hitting it again](#e1eye6dr2z4)
-   [Related articles](#5q2of3dfqzd)