PayPal Checkout in 2025: Who Has Actually Fixed These Two Classic Issues? 😅😭🪦
Hey everyone,
I’m building a clean, modern PayPal checkout and I’m down to the last two annoying (but very old) problems that still exist in 2025. I know I’m not the only one who’s seen these.
Here’s exactly what happens (you’ve probably seen this GIF a thousand times):
The two problems:
The about:blank white flash
When the user clicks the PayPal button → a blank popup opens withabout:blankin the address bar → 1–4 seconds of pure white screen before PayPal loads.
On desktop it looks broken and hurts conversions badly.-
The popup never closes automatically after payment
- Desktop → PayPal window stays open forever (user has to close it manually)
- Mobile → user is sent back to paypal.com and has to press Back themselves → most people get confused and abandon
What I’ve already tried (2025 edition):
- Custom
window.open()with my own branded loader - Overriding
window.openglobally - Every SDK option I could find (
commit=true,vault=false,disable-funding,venue,onApprove + window.close(), etc.) - All the usual sources: Stack Overflow, GitHub issues, PayPal community, AI answers
- Tested on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, real phones, incognito, clean installs
Nothing removes the white flash 100%, and nothing reliably auto-closes the window on both desktop and mobile.
Everything else works perfectly
the checkout page looks great, server-side capture is solid. Just these two classic UX issues remain.
So my simple question to anyone shipping real PayPal checkouts in 2025:
Has anyone actually solved either of these two problems cleanly?
- Completely removed the about:blank white flash?
- Made the popup auto-close after successful payment on both desktop and mobile?
If you have a working solution (live site, code snippet, or even just the right combination of SDK flags), I’d love to see it. I’m sure many others would too.
My code
{% extends 'base.html' %}
{% load static %}
{% block content %}
<!-- Font Awesome CDN -->
<link rel="stylesheet"
href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/6.5.2/css/all.min.css"
integrity="sha512-SnH5WK+bZxgPHs44uWIX+LLJAJ9/2PkPKZ5QiAj6Ta86w+fsb2TkcmfRyVX3pBnMFcV7oQPJkl9QevSCWr3W6A=="
crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer" />
<!-- Custom Page Styles -->
<link rel="stylesheet" href="{% static 'lessons/css/paypal_payment.css' %}?v=20251128" />
<div class="payment-container">
<div class="payment-card">
<!-- Header with gradient background -->
<div class="payment-header">
<div class="header-icon">
<i class="fas fa-lock"></i>
</div>
<h2>Complete Your Payment</h2>
<p>Secure checkout powered by PayPal</p>
<div class="progress-steps">
<div class="step active">
<span class="step-number">1</span>
<span class="step-text">Booking</span>
</div>
<div class="step active">
<span class="step-number">2</span>
<span class="step-text">Payment</span>
</div>
<div class="step">
<span class="step-number">3</span>
<span class="step-text">Confirmation</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!-- Success Message -->
<div class="payment-alert success" id="success-alert" style="display: none;">
<div class="alert-icon">
<i class="fas fa-check-circle"></i>
</div>
<div class="alert-content">
<h4>Payment Successful!</h4>
<p>Your booking has been confirmed. Redirecting to dashboard...</p>
</div>
<div class="alert-progress">
<div class="progress-bar">
<div class="progress-fill"></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!-- Processing Message -->
<div class="payment-alert processing" id="processing-alert" style="display: none;">
<div class="alert-icon">
<i class="fas fa-spinner fa-spin"></i>
</div>
<div class="alert-content">
<h4>Processing Payment...</h4>
<p>Please do not close or refresh this page.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- Booking Summary -->
<div class="booking-summary">
<div class="summary-header">
<i class="fas fa-receipt"></i>
<h3>Booking Summary</h3>
</div>
<div class="summary-grid">
<div class="summary-row">
<div class="summary-item">
<span class="item-label">Package:</span>
<span class="item-value">{{ package.name }}</span>
</div>
<div class="summary-item">
<span class="item-label">Date:</span>
<span class="item-value">{{ pending_booking.date }}</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="summary-row">
<div class="summary-item">
<span class="item-label">Time:</span>
<span class="item-value">{{ pending_booking.time }}</span>
</div>
<div class="summary-item">
<span class="item-label">Base Price:</span>
<span class="item-value">${{ package.price|floatformat:2 }}</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="summary-row">
<div class="summary-item">
<span class="item-label">Extra Guests ({{ pending_booking.extra_guests }}):</span>
<span class="item-value">
{% if pending_booking.extra_guests > 0 %}
${{ pending_booking.extra_guest_fee|floatformat:2 }}
{% else %}
$0.00
{% endif %}
</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="summary-divider"></div>
<div class="summary-row total-row">
<div class="summary-item">
<span class="item-label">Total Amount:</span>
<span class="item-value total-price">${{ pending_booking.total_price|floatformat:2 }}</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="status-container">
<div class="status-badge pending" id="status-badge">
<i class="fas fa-clock"></i>
<span>Pending Payment</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!-- PayPal Button Container -->
<div class="payment-section">
<div class="section-header">
<h4><i class="fab fa-paypal"></i> PayPal Checkout</h4>
<p>Pay securely with your PayPal account</p>
</div>
<div id="paypal-button-container" class="paypal-button-wrapper"></div>
</div>
<!-- Security & Support -->
<div class="security-section">
<div class="security-features">
<div class="security-item">
<i class="fas fa-shield-alt"></i>
<span>256-bit SSL Encryption</span>
</div>
<div class="security-item">
<i class="fas fa-lock"></i>
<span>Secure Payment</span>
</div>
<div class="security-item">
<i class="fas fa-user-shield"></i>
<span>Privacy Protected</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="support-note">
<i class="fas fa-life-ring"></i>
<div>
<strong>Need help?</strong>
<p>Contact us at <a href="mailto:rdl.firearms@gmail.com">rdl.firearms@gmail.com</a></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!-- PayPal SDK -->
<script src="https://www.paypal.com/sdk/js?client-id={{ PAYPAL_CLIENT_ID }}¤cy=USD&intent=capture&components=buttons" async></script>
<script>
// Global variables for popup management
let paypalPopup = null;
let popupCheckInterval = null;
let isMobile = /Android|webOS|iPhone|iPad|iPod|BlackBerry|IEMobile|Opera Mini/i.test(navigator.userAgent);
// Function to handle popup blocking and mobile navigation
function handlePopupWindow(popup) {
if (!popup || popup.closed || popup.closed === undefined) {
// Popup was blocked or closed immediately
if (isMobile) {
// On mobile, redirect to a fallback page or show instructions
showMobilePopupInstructions();
} else {
alert("Popup window was blocked. Please allow popups for this site to complete your payment.");
}
return false;
}
paypalPopup = popup;
// Monitor the popup
popupCheckInterval = setInterval(function() {
if (paypalPopup.closed) {
clearInterval(popupCheckInterval);
paypalPopup = null;
// If popup closed without completion, check if we need to go back on mobile
if (isMobile && !window.paymentCompleted) {
handleMobileBackNavigation();
}
}
}, 500);
return true;
}
// Show instructions for mobile users
function showMobilePopupInstructions() {
const instructions = `
<div style="position: fixed; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; background: rgba(0,0,0,0.8); z-index: 10000; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;">
<div style="background: white; padding: 20px; border-radius: 10px; max-width: 90%; text-align: center;">
<h3>PayPal Payment</h3>
<p>To complete your payment, you'll be redirected to PayPal. After payment, you'll return here automatically.</p>
<button onclick="closeInstructions()" style="background: #0070ba; color: white; border: none; padding: 10px 20px; border-radius: 5px; cursor: pointer; margin-top: 10px;">
Continue to PayPal
</button>
</div>
</div>
`;
document.body.insertAdjacentHTML('beforeend', instructions);
}
function closeInstructions() {
const overlay = document.querySelector('[style*="position: fixed; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; background: rgba(0,0,0,0.8)"]');
if (overlay) {
overlay.remove();
}
}
// Handle mobile back navigation when popup closes
function handleMobileBackNavigation() {
if (isMobile && window.history.length > 1 && !window.paymentCompleted) {
// Only go back if we're not on the main payment page and payment isn't completed
setTimeout(() => {
if (!window.paymentCompleted) {
window.history.back();
}
}, 1000);
}
}
// Prevent back navigation during payment process
function setupNavigationGuards() {
// Set a flag when payment starts
window.paymentStarted = false;
window.paymentCompleted = false;
// Add beforeunload handler
window.addEventListener('beforeunload', function(e) {
if (window.paymentStarted && !window.paymentCompleted) {
e.preventDefault();
e.returnValue = 'Your payment is in progress. Are you sure you want to leave?';
return e.returnValue;
}
});
// Handle page visibility changes (for mobile)
document.addEventListener('visibilitychange', function() {
if (document.hidden && window.paymentStarted && !window.paymentCompleted) {
// Page is hidden (user switched tabs/apps) - payment might be in progress
console.log('Payment page hidden - payment might be in progress');
}
});
}
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function () {
setupNavigationGuards();
if (typeof paypal === 'undefined') {
alert("PayPal SDK failed to load. Please check your internet connection.");
return;
}
paypal.Buttons({
style: {
layout: 'vertical',
color: 'blue',
shape: 'rect',
label: 'paypal',
height: 48,
tagline: false
},
// Create Order - 100% Fixed: No quantity 0 error
createOrder: function(data, actions) {
const basePrice = parseFloat("{{ package.price }}") || 0;
const extraGuests = parseInt("{{ pending_booking.extra_guests }}", 10) || 0;
const extraGuestFee = parseFloat("{{ pending_booking.extra_guest_fee }}") || 0;
const totalPrice = parseFloat("{{ pending_booking.total_price }}") || 0;
const items = [];
// Main Package (always included)
items.push({
name: "{{ package.name|truncatechars:120 }}",
description: "Firearms Training Package",
quantity: "1",
unit_amount: {
currency_code: "USD",
value: basePrice.toFixed(2)
}
});
// Extra Guests - Only if greater than 0
if (extraGuests > 0) {
items.push({
name: `Extra Guest × ${extraGuests}`,
description: `${extraGuests} additional guest(s)`,
quantity: extraGuests.toString(),
unit_amount: {
currency_code: "USD",
value: (extraGuestFee / extraGuests || 25).toFixed(2)
}
});
}
const itemTotal = basePrice + (extraGuests > 0 ? extraGuestFee : 0);
return actions.order.create({
purchase_units: [{
amount: {
currency_code: "USD",
value: totalPrice.toFixed(2),
breakdown: {
item_total: {
currency_code: "USD",
value: itemTotal.toFixed(2)
}
}
},
description: `Booking: {{ package.name }} on {{ pending_booking.date }}`,
custom_id: `booking_{{ pending_booking.id }}`,
invoice_id: `INV-{{ pending_booking.id }}-{% now "U" %}`,
items: items
}]
});
},
// On Approve - Capture Payment
onApprove: function(data, actions) {
window.paymentStarted = true;
document.getElementById("processing-alert").style.display = "flex";
return actions.order.capture().then(function(details) {
return fetch("/payment/confirm/", {
method: "POST",
headers: {
"Content-Type": "application/json",
"X-CSRFToken": "{{ csrf_token }}"
},
body: JSON.stringify({
orderID: data.orderID,
payerID: details.payer?.payer_id || null,
paymentDetails: details
})
});
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(result => {
document.getElementById("processing-alert").style.display = "none";
if (result.success) {
window.paymentCompleted = true;
document.getElementById("success-alert").style.display = "flex";
document.getElementById("status-badge").innerHTML = '<i class="fas fa-check-circle"></i><span>Confirmed</span>';
document.getElementById("status-badge").className = "status-badge confirmed";
// Close any open popup
if (paypalPopup && !paypalPopup.closed) {
paypalPopup.close();
}
// Animate progress bar
const progressFill = document.querySelector('.progress-fill');
if (progressFill) {
progressFill.style.animation = 'progressFill 3s linear forwards';
}
setTimeout(() => {
window.location.href = "/dashboard/";
}, 3000);
} else {
throw new Error(result.message || "Booking confirmation failed");
}
})
.catch(err => {
document.getElementById("processing-alert").style.display = "none";
console.error("Confirmation error:", err);
alert("Payment completed but booking not confirmed. Contact support with Order ID: " + data.orderID);
});
},
// Error Handling
onError: function(err) {
console.error("PayPal Error:", err);
alert("An error occurred. Please try again or contact support.");
},
// User Cancelled
onCancel: function() {
if (isMobile) {
handleMobileBackNavigation();
}
alert("Payment cancelled. You can complete it later from your dashboard.");
},
// Handle popup opening
onClick: function() {
window.paymentStarted = true;
// For mobile devices, prepare for potential redirect
if (isMobile) {
console.log("Mobile device detected - preparing for PayPal flow");
}
}
}).render("#paypal-button-container")
.catch(err => {
console.error("PayPal button render failed:", err);
alert("Failed to load PayPal button. Please refresh the page.");
});
// Enhanced popup handling for PayPal
const originalWindowOpen = window.open;
window.open = function(url, name, specs) {
const popup = originalWindowOpen.call(this, url, name, specs);
if (url && url.includes('paypal.com')) {
handlePopupWindow(popup);
}
return popup;
};
// Handle page load for mobile return from PayPal
if (isMobile) {
window.addEventListener('pageshow', function(event) {
if (event.persisted || (window.performance && window.performance.navigation.type === 2)) {
// Page was loaded from cache (back/forward navigation)
if (window.paymentStarted && !window.paymentCompleted) {
// Check if we returned from PayPal
setTimeout(() => {
// Refresh the page to check payment status
window.location.reload();
}, 1000);
}
}
});
}
});
</script>
<!-- Modern Inline Styles -->
<style>
:root {
--primary: #0070ba;
--primary-dark: #005ea6;
--success: #28a745;
--warning: #ffc107;
--danger: #dc3545;
--dark: #2d3748;
--light: #f8f9fa;
--gray: #6c757d;
--border: #e2e8f0;
--shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
--gradient: linear-gradient(135deg, #0070ba 0%, #005ea6 100%);
}
* {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.payment-container {
max-width: 520px;
margin: 40px auto;
padding: 0 20px;
font-family: 'Inter', 'Segoe UI', system-ui, -apple-system, sans-serif;
}
.payment-card {
background: #ffffff;
border-radius: 20px;
box-shadow: var(--shadow);
overflow: hidden;
position: relative;
}
/* Header Styles */
.payment-header {
background: var(--gradient);
color: white;
padding: 40px 35px 30px;
text-align: center;
position: relative;
}
.payment-header::before {
content: '';
position: absolute;
top: 0;
left: 0;
right: 0;
height: 4px;
background: linear-gradient(90deg, #00c6ff, #0072ff);
}
.header-icon {
width: 80px;
height: 80px;
background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
border-radius: 50%;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
margin: 0 auto 20px;
backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
}
.header-icon i {
font-size: 2.5rem;
color: white;
}
.payment-header h2 {
margin: 0 0 8px 0;
font-size: 2rem;
font-weight: 700;
letter-spacing: -0.5px;
}
.payment-header p {
margin: 0;
opacity: 0.9;
font-size: 1.1rem;
}
/* Progress Steps */
.progress-steps {
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
margin-top: 30px;
gap: 40px;
}
.step {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
align-items: center;
gap: 8px;
}
.step-number {
width: 32px;
height: 32px;
border-radius: 50%;
background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.3);
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
font-size: 0.9rem;
font-weight: 600;
}
.step.active .step-number {
background: white;
color: var(--primary);
}
.step-text {
font-size: 0.85rem;
opacity: 0.8;
}
/* Alert Styles */
.payment-alert {
display: none;
align-items: center;
gap: 16px;
padding: 20px;
margin: 20px;
border-radius: 12px;
font-weight: 500;
animation: slideIn 0.5s ease;
position: relative;
}
.alert-icon {
font-size: 1.5rem;
flex-shrink: 0;
}
.alert-content {
flex: 1;
}
.alert-content h4 {
margin: 0 0 4px 0;
font-size: 1.1rem;
}
.alert-content p {
margin: 0;
opacity: 0.8;
font-size: 0.95rem;
}
.alert-progress {
width: 100px;
flex-shrink: 0;
}
.progress-bar {
width: 100%;
height: 4px;
background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.3);
border-radius: 2px;
overflow: hidden;
}
.progress-fill {
height: 100%;
background: white;
width: 0%;
}
.success {
background: linear-gradient(135deg, #d4edda, #c3e6cb);
border: 1px solid #c3e6cb;
color: #155724;
}
.processing {
background: linear-gradient(135deg, #cff4fc, #b6effb);
border: 1px solid #b6effb;
color: #055160;
}
/* Booking Summary */
.booking-summary {
padding: 30px;
}
.summary-header {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 12px;
margin-bottom: 25px;
}
.summary-header i {
font-size: 1.5rem;
color: var(--primary);
}
.summary-header h3 {
margin: 0;
color: var(--dark);
font-size: 1.4rem;
font-weight: 600;
}
.summary-grid {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: 16px;
}
.summary-row {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
gap: 20px;
}
.summary-item {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: 4px;
}
.item-label {
font-size: 0.9rem;
color: var(--gray);
font-weight: 500;
}
.item-value {
font-size: 1rem;
color: var(--dark);
font-weight: 600;
}
.summary-divider {
height: 1px;
background: var(--border);
margin: 10px 0;
grid-column: 1 / -1;
}
.total-row {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
.total-row .item-value {
font-size: 2rem;
color: var(--success);
font-weight: 700;
}
.status-container {
grid-column: 1 / -1;
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
margin-top: 10px;
}
.status-badge {
display: inline-flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 8px;
padding: 10px 20px;
border-radius: 25px;
font-size: 0.9rem;
font-weight: 600;
}
.status-badge.pending {
background: #fff3cd;
color: #856404;
}
.status-badge.confirmed {
background: #d4edda;
color: #155724;
}
/* Payment Section */
.payment-section {
padding: 0 30px 30px;
}
.section-header {
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.section-header h4 {
margin: 0 0 8px 0;
color: var(--dark);
font-size: 1.2rem;
font-weight: 600;
}
.section-header p {
margin: 0;
color: var(--gray);
font-size: 0.95rem;
}
.section-header i {
color: var(--primary);
}
.paypal-button-wrapper {
margin: 0;
}
/* Security Section */
.security-section {
background: var(--light);
padding: 25px 30px;
border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
}
.security-features {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
gap: 15px;
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.security-item {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
align-items: center;
gap: 8px;
text-align: center;
}
.security-item i {
font-size: 1.2rem;
color: var(--primary);
}
.security-item span {
font-size: 0.8rem;
color: var(--gray);
font-weight: 500;
}
.support-note {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 12px;
padding: 15px;
background: white;
border-radius: 10px;
border: 1px solid var(--border);
}
.support-note i {
font-size: 1.3rem;
color: var(--primary);
}
.support-note div {
flex: 1;
}
.support-note strong {
display: block;
color: var(--dark);
font-size: 0.95rem;
}
.support-note p {
margin: 4px 0 0 0;
font-size: 0.9rem;
color: var(--gray);
}
.support-note a {
color: var(--primary);
text-decoration: none;
}
.support-note a:hover {
text-decoration: underline;
}
/* Animations */
@keyframes slideIn {
from {
opacity: 0;
transform: translateY(-20px);
}
to {
opacity: 1;
transform: translateY(0);
}
}
@keyframes progressFill {
from {
width: 0%;
}
to {
width: 100%;
}
}
/* Responsive Design */
@media (max-width: 480px) {
.payment-container {
margin: 20px auto;
padding: 0 15px;
}
.payment-header {
padding: 30px 25px 25px;
}
.payment-header h2 {
font-size: 1.7rem;
}
.progress-steps {
gap: 20px;
}
.summary-row {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
gap: 12px;
}
.security-features {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
gap: 12px;
}
.total-row .item-value {
font-size: 1.7rem;
}
.payment-alert {
margin: 15px;
padding: 15px;
}
}
/* Hover Effects */
.payment-card {
transition: transform 0.3s ease, box-shadow 0.3s ease;
}
.payment-card:hover {
transform: translateY(-5px);
box-shadow: 0 20px 40px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);
}
/* Focus States */
button:focus, a:focus {
outline: 2px solid var(--primary);
outline-offset: 2px;
}
</style>
{% endblock %}
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