Littler was due to play in the penultimate Players Championship event of the year at the Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan, but failed to make the 11:00 GMT cut-off.
"Back to bed it is," the reigning world champion shared in an Instagram post, showing him stuck en route to the venue.
He was replaced by England's Charlie Manby, who is currently ranked 174th in the world.
Littler is eligible to play in Thursday's Players Championship 34 event at the same venue, provided he makes the deadline this time.
Littler appeared to be at risk of failing to make this year's Players Championship Finals, which is open to the top 64 players in ranking.
However, he secured his ticket for Minehead in November with a superb display to win Players Championship 32 earlier this month.