What is the wp_woocommerce_session_ cookie?
wp_woocommerce_session_ is a first-party cookie set automatically by the WooCommerce plugin as soon as a visitor lands on a WordPress site running an active online store. The full cookie name includes a unique identifier appended after the prefix, generated by that specific WooCommerce installation.
It typically appears the first time a visitor interacts with the site's e-commerce features — viewing a product page, adding an item to the cart, or reaching the checkout page. It's specific to the WooCommerce ecosystem and unrelated to other WordPress plugins.
What data it stores
The cookie stores a customer/session identifier in the form of a unique, server-generated hash. It does not directly contain readable personal data such as a name or email address.
The value is used exclusively by the server hosting the WordPress/WooCommerce site, to link the visitor's actions (items added to cart, applied coupons) to a specific session stored in the site's database. It is not sent to third-party servers.
What it is used for
Its main purpose is functional: the cookie lets the site "remember" which products a visitor added to their cart between page loads, which coupons were entered, and which step of the checkout process they reached.
Without this cookie, the shopping cart would empty on every page reload, making it impossible to complete an online order. It is essential to the basic operation of any store built with WooCommerce.
Does it require consent?
CookieFix classifies wp_woocommerce_session_ as strictly necessary, since it directly supports functionality explicitly requested by the visitor (the purchasing process). Under the ePrivacy Directive 2002/58/EC (transposed in Romania via Law 506/2004) and general EU regulatory guidance, cookies strictly necessary to provide a service the user has actively requested do not require prior consent.
- No visitor acceptance is needed before setting it.
- The site operator must still list it in the cookie policy, along with its category, purpose, and duration.
- It should not be blocked pending consent, as this would break the shopping cart.
How to block or delete wp_woocommerce_session_
A visitor can manually delete or block this cookie via their browser's privacy settings (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari — usually under "Cookies and site data"), but any product added to the cart will disappear on page reload or when returning to the site.
Because it's strictly necessary, a CMP like CookieFix should not auto-block this cookie before consent — only cookies in the statistics, marketing, and preferences categories are held back until the visitor gives their consent.
Frequently asked questions
No. It's a technical cookie used only to maintain the shopping cart and checkout session; it doesn't track visitor behavior for marketing purposes.
No, since it's strictly necessary for the online store to function, but you must still disclose it in the site's cookie policy.
The shopping cart empties and any data entered during checkout is lost, requiring the visitor to start the process again.
Its typical lifespan is 2 days, after which it expires automatically if the visitor doesn't return to the site.