This topic aims to discuss why orders get stuck in the Ready for Handling status
The “Ready for handling” status occurs because, within the order flow, the Ready for Handling status is the point at which orders should be retrieved by the ERP. When the ERP retrieves and adds the order to its database, it needs to notify VTEX that the order can continue through its flow. This notification can be done in two ways:
- ERP notifies via API: the most common method of updating.
- Merchant notifies manually: the store does not have an ERP and the merchant indicates that the order should continue through the flow via the VTEX Admin, on the order details page. For the full step-by-step instructions, check out the article Changing order status to Preparing Delivery.
NOTE: If the order is manually moved past the Start Handling status, it will not be possible to send the order to the ERP afterwards.
Here are some links that may help in this scenario:
Invoice an order
Changing order status to Preparing Delivery
Also, if you still have any questions about the topic, feel free to ask here! 
Márcia Alves
Field Software Engineer | VTEX