When Something Does Not Work with ChatGPT and Merch Factory
Most problems are one of four things: ChatGPT does not offer custom MCP apps on your plan or workspace, the sign-in was interrupted, a Merch Factory safety rule stopped an order, or the artwork is not good enough to print. Find your case below.
I cannot add a custom app in ChatGPT
I do not see the option. Custom MCP apps depend on your ChatGPT plan and, in a workspace, on an admin turning on developer mode. Ask your workspace admin, or check OpenAI's help page for current availability. Merch Factory cannot change this.
ChatGPT cannot reach the address. Copy the address again from Integrations → Claude in the dashboard and paste it without spaces. It must start with https. Choose OAuth as the sign-in method.
"This connection request is not valid. Please start again from the app you are connecting." The approval screen was opened from an old or altered link. Close it and start adding the app from ChatGPT again.
"This connection request has expired." The approval screen was left open too long. Start again from ChatGPT and approve within a few minutes.
ChatGPT can read but cannot create or place anything
ChatGPT says the tool is read-only or unavailable. Some ChatGPT plans can only use read access for custom apps. Full support for actions that change data is rolling out to Business and Enterprise/Edu workspaces. Merch Factory's own permissions are separate, so check both.
"Changes from connected apps are paused." The pause switch is on. Open Integrations → Claude and turn off the pause switch. Any member of the brand can do this.
It can show orders but cannot make drafts. When you connected, the permission to prepare drafts was off. Disconnect ChatGPT on the connected apps list and connect again with "Prepare drafts and saved products" ticked.
It prepares orders but never places them. Placing is off by default. Connect with "Place orders from your wallet" ticked and switch on automatic ordering on the Claude page.
ChatGPT asks me to confirm
ChatGPT may ask you to confirm before it runs a tool that changes data, depending on its own settings and how risky the action is. Read what it is about to do and approve only what you expect. Some very risky actions may be blocked by ChatGPT itself.
It says it lost access or asks me to sign in again
The connection was disconnected, or you are no longer a member of the brand. Remove the app in ChatGPT and add it again. If it keeps happening, check Integrations → Claude: if ChatGPT is missing from the connected apps list, the connection was removed.
An order stayed a draft
A draft is normal, not an error. Open Integrations → Claude, find the draft and read the reason: ChatGPT was not sure about something, the order is cash on delivery, it is over one of your limits, or the wallet is too low. Check the details and press Review and place.
An artwork link is refused or too small
The link must be a public https link straight to a PNG of at most 25 MB. Web pages, private links and other file types are refused. If it says the artwork is too small, export it again at a higher pixel size: a 12 inch print needs about 3,000 pixels across (250 DPI minimum).
Still stuck?
The Claude guides on this site also apply, because the connector is the same: see When something does not work with Claude and Merch Factory. Or contact support from Help in your dashboard.
Common Questions (FAQ)
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