Why is DoorDash so slow? (+ easy fixes!)
If you’ve used the DoorDash app and it’s been much slower to respond than you expected, you might be wondering why. Slow delivery can mean an empty stomach and cold food, so very frustrating when it happens.
Likewise, this issue affects drivers as well. If you’re trying to make money on DoorDash as a delivery driver, but the app never gives you any orders to complete, it can quickly become prohibitive due to gas prices and wasted time.
DoorDash delivery delays are often caused by common issues. The most common problem for drivers is not receiving enough orders. For customers, it could be about how much you did or didn’t tip your driver.
Read on to learn more about why DoorDash is slow for customers and delivery drivers.
Why is DoorDash so slow for customers?
When DoorDash is slow for customers, you may experience orders taking longer than usual to process. Sometimes this is due to the restaurant being slow or busy with too many orders.
DoorDash is slow for customers for a number of common reasons. You might want to add a tip or make sure you’re ordering from an address that’s easy to reach.
Other times, you may experience a slow delivery because of a bad delivery driver, or because you didn’t leave a tip. Indicating that you would like to leave a nice tip at checkout means drivers will see a higher estimated profit on your order.
In general, you can speed up your order by ordering at a time when the restaurant is less busy or by making sure to tip your delivery driver generously. Sometimes ordering simple food also helps.
you don’t leave a tip
DoorDash drivers have to fulfill many orders in a short period of time to make money. Their income is offset by the price of gas and the time they allow to fulfill DoorDash orders.
If you leave no tip or leave a very small tip, any potential driver will see a lower estimated profit on your delivery. This may result in fewer drivers being interested in delivering your meal. Sometimes there may be no one willing to complete your order.
you live in an isolated area
If you live in a hard-to-reach area or a long distance from major population centers, drivers may not be available in your area. Remember, DoorDash drivers must pay for gas themselves.
This means that if you live far away, your driver will need extra time (and gas) to complete your order. They will also most likely need to return to where they started in order to continue receiving orders after your order has been delivered.
If this is a problem, unfortunately, there is no reliable way to fix it. You can try other delivery apps that may have more drivers in your area, or try ordering from a restaurant closer to where you live.
Read: Why does my Doordash keep pausing
busy restaurant
Sometimes restaurants take longer than usual to prepare orders before delivery. This happens most often in busy restaurants or restaurants that require more time than usual to prepare complex dishes.
Some restaurants may even shut down their DoorDash systems if they are too busy to fulfill orders.
In this case, it’s best to order from another restaurant, or try to order at a less busy time.
Why is DoorDash so slow for drivers?
If you’re a DoorDash delivery driver, you’ve probably gone through times when it was difficult to make enough deliveries to make it worth your time. This is most common in areas where fewer customers place orders.
DoorDash was slow for drivers because not enough orders came through. You may also receive fewer orders if your driver has a low rating, or if you frequently cancel orders after accepting them.
Sometimes, there may be technical issues with the application itself, which can also lead to reduced orders. If you suspect this is the case, you should contact DoorDash Customer Service to resolve the issue.
DoorDash actually marks busier times and areas of the app as “hotspots.” If you deliver in and around hotspots, you’re likely to get more orders. Customers in hotspots may also leave larger tips to attract faster drivers.
If you’ve been experiencing slow business on DoorDash, you may want to perform deliveries in more populated areas or at busier times of day.
Usually, meal times such as lunch or dinner are the busiest.
sprint through slow times
You can’t serve any food if no one orders it. This is more of a problem in smaller towns with fewer orderers. If you want to receive more orders, you should wait until a busier time for DoorDash to perform deliveries.
The busiest times for deliveries are usually during meal times, such as breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Order volumes may also be higher on holidays compared to normal weekdays or weekends.
DoorDash App Issues
There are rarely problems with DoorDash itself. The most common reason is that DoorDash is currently unable to verify your GPS data. This can be corrected by going somewhere with a stronger signal.
If you keep having problems with the DoorDash app, there may be a problem with the app itself. In this case, it is best to contact DoorDash Driver Support for more information on when to resolve the issue.
Insufficient orders in your region
Just like time slots, certain locations are busier than others for DoorDash drivers.
Some regions experience slowdowns at different times of the day. For example, there may be more late-night orders in densely populated urban centers.
If you think your area may not have enough people ordering food, it may be necessary to travel to a busier area to receive more delivery orders. Be sure to account for any added shipping costs this may result in.
Too Many Dashers Driving Simultaneously
If there are too many delivery people in your area, chances are there won’t be enough orders to distribute.
This problem can be exacerbated if you have a poor rating or have rejected too many deliveries recently.
final thoughts
Whether you’re a customer or a driver, it’s frustrating if you’re experiencing slow service with DoorDash. Customers eat cold food and drivers spend more than they earn.
As a customer, you can ensure better service by listing a higher tip when placing your order. This will make the order more attractive to potential drivers. However, if coverage is low in your area, this may not solve your problem.
If you’re a driver, you can try delivering closer to hotspots or in areas with more customers. Sometimes, your rating on previous deliveries can also affect how often you receive your order.
