If you’ve used the DoorDash app, but it was responding much slower than you expected, you’ve probably wondered why. Getting slow deliveries can mean empty stomachs and cold food, so it’s pretty frustrating when it happens.
Likewise, this problem can also affect drivers. If you’re trying to make money on DoorDash as a delivery driver, but the app never gives you any orders to complete, then it quickly becomes prohibitive due to gas prices and lost time.
Delays in your DoorDash delivery are typically caused by common problems. For drivers, the most common issue is not enough orders coming in. For customers, it might have something to do with how much you are or are not tipping your driver.
Keep reading to see details on why DoorDash is slow for both customers and delivery drivers.
Why Is DoorDash So Slow For Customers?
When DoorDash is slow for customers, you may experience orders being processed for longer than normal. Sometimes, this is due to the restaurant being slow or busy with too many orders.
DoorDash is slow for customers due to a number of common reasons. You might want to increase your tip or make sure you are ordering from an address that is easily accessible.
Other times, you may experience slow delivery due to a bad delivery driver, or because you aren’t leaving tips. Indicating that you wish to leave a good tip during checkout means that drivers will be shown a higher estimated profit for your order.
In general, you can make your orders faster by ordering during times when restaurants are not busy or by making sure to leave a generous tip for your delivery driver. Ordering simple food can also help sometimes.

You Aren’t Leaving Tips
Drivers for DoorDash must complete many orders in a short time frame to make any money. Their earnings are offset by gas prices, as well as the time they set aside to complete orders for DoorDash.
When you leave no tip or really small tips, then any potential drivers will be shown a lower estimated profit for your delivery. This can lead to fewer drivers being interested in delivering your food. Sometimes there may be nobody willing to complete your order.
You Live In An Isolated Area
If you live in an area that is difficult to get to or one that is very far from major population centers, then there may not be any drivers in your area. Keep in mind that DoorDash drivers must pay for their own gas.
This means that if you live far away, it will take extra time (and gas) for your driver to complete your order. It is also very likely that they will need to return to where they started in order to continue picking up orders after delivering yours.
If this is an issue, unfortunately, there is no reliable way to solve it. You can try other delivery apps that may have more drivers in your area or try ordering from a restaurant with locations closer to where you live.
Read: Why Does My Doordash Keep Pausing
Busy Restaurants
Sometimes, restaurants will take longer than usual to prepare orders before delivery. This happens most often with busy restaurants or restaurants that prepare complex dishes requiring more time than usual.
Some restaurants might even turn off their DoorDash system if they become too busy to fulfill orders.
In situations like these, it is best to find other restaurants to order from or try ordering during times that aren’t as busy.
Why Is DoorDash So Slow For Drivers?
If you’re a delivery driver for DoorDash, then you have probably experienced periods where it is hard to make enough deliveries to make it worth your time. This is most common in areas with fewer customers putting through orders.
DoorDash is slow for drivers due to not enough orders coming through. You may also receive fewer orders if you have a low driver rating or if you frequently cancel orders after accepting them.
Sometimes, the app itself can have technical issues, which will also lead to fewer orders coming through. If you suspect this is the case, you should contact DoorDash customer service in order to rectify the issue.
DoorDash will actually mark busier times and areas in the app as “hotspots”. If you perform deliveries in and around hotspots, you will probably get more orders. The customers at hotspots might also leave larger tips to attract faster drivers.
If you have persistent problems with business on DoorDash being slow, then you might want to perform your deliveries in a more populated area or at a busier time of day.
Typically, meal times such as lunch or dinner time are the busiest.
Dashing During Slow Periods
If nobody orders food, you won’t be able to deliver any food. This is more of a problem in smaller towns with fewer people ordering. If you want to receive more orders, you should wait until a busier time to perform deliveries for DoorDash.
The busiest times to deliver are typically around mealtimes, such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The number of orders coming through may also be higher on holidays compared to regular business days or weekends.
DoorDash App Issues
Rarely, DoorDash itself may be having issues. The most common cause of this is that DoorDash is having trouble verifying your GPS data at the current time. This can be rectified by going somewhere with a stronger signal.
If you have persistent issues with the DoorDash app, then the app itself may be having problems. In situations like this, it may be best to contact DoorDash driver support in order to get more information on when the issue will be fixed.
Not Enough Orders In Your Area
Just like with time periods, some locations are busier than others for DoorDash drivers.
Some areas experience slowdowns during different times of the day. For example, there may be more late-night orders in densely populated city centers.
If you think that your area might not have enough people ordering food, then it may be necessary to go to a busier area in order to receive more orders for delivery. Make sure to account for any increased transit costs this may incur.
Too Many Dashers Driving Simultaneously
If there are too many dashers delivering food in your area, then there likely won’t be enough orders to go around.
This problem can be exacerbated if you don’t have a high rating or you have declined too many deliveries recently.
Final Thoughts
If you are experiencing slow service with DoorDash, whether you are a customer or a driver, it can be frustrating. Customers end up with cold food, and drivers spend more money than they’re making.
As a customer, you can ensure better service by listing a higher tip when you put your order through. This will make the order more attractive to potential drivers. However, if coverage in your area is poor, this might not solve your problem.
If you’re a driver, you can try dashing closer to hot spots or delivering in areas with more customers. Sometimes, your rating from previous deliveries can also have an effect on how often you receive orders.