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Stripe Integration Troubleshooting

Resolve common issues with your Stripe integration quickly and get back to collecting payments efficiently.

Quick Diagnostic Checklist

Before diving into specific issues, run through this quick checklist:

Connection Status

  • □ Stripe integration shows "Connected" status
  • □ API keys are correctly entered
  • □ Using the right environment (test/live)
  • □ Stripe account is in good standing

Basic Functionality

  • □ Test invoice has valid amount and client
  • □ Email templates include {paymentLink} variable
  • □ Payment links appear in test emails
  • □ Test payments complete successfully

Connection & Setup Issues

API Key Validation Failed

Critical

Symptoms:

  • • Error message: "Invalid API key provided"
  • • Connection status shows "Disconnected"
  • • Unable to save Stripe configuration

Solutions:

1. Verify API Key Format:

  • • Test keys start with: pk_test_ and sk_test_
  • • Live keys start with: pk_live_ and sk_live_
  • • Copy keys exactly with no extra spaces

2. Check Stripe Account:

  • • Ensure your Stripe account is active
  • • Verify you have API key permissions
  • • Check if keys were recently regenerated

Connection Keeps Dropping

Intermittent

Possible Causes:

  • • Stripe account temporarily restricted
  • • API rate limits exceeded
  • • Network connectivity issues
  • • Webhook configuration problems

Resolution Steps:

  1. Check Stripe Dashboard for any account notifications
  2. Verify webhook endpoints are responding correctly
  3. Test connection during off-peak hours
  4. Contact Stripe support if issues persist

Payment Link Issues

Payment Links Not Appearing in Emails

High Priority

Common Causes & Solutions:

Missing Template Variable

Email templates don't include the {paymentLink} placeholder.

Fix: Add {paymentLink} to your email templates where you want the payment button to appear.

Invalid Invoice Data

Invoice is missing required information (amount, client, etc.).

Fix: Ensure invoices have valid amounts, client information, and are not marked as paid.

Stripe Integration Inactive

Stripe connection is not active or configured properly.

Fix: Check Dashboard → Integrations → Stripe and ensure status shows "Connected".

Payment Links Broken or Not Working

Medium Priority

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Test the Link: Click the payment link yourself to see what happens
  2. Check Stripe Dashboard: Look for any error messages or failed link creation
  3. Verify Invoice Status: Ensure invoice isn't already paid or cancelled
  4. Test Different Browsers: Try the link in an incognito window
  5. Check Link Expiration: Payment links may have expiration dates

Quick Fix:

Try resending the invoice email - this will generate a fresh payment link automatically.

Payment Processing Issues

Payment Failures

Customer Impact

Common Failure Reasons:

Customer-Side Issues:
  • • Insufficient funds (40%)
  • • Expired or invalid card (25%)
  • • Incorrect card details (20%)
  • • Bank declined transaction (10%)
  • • Security concerns (5%)
Technical Issues:
  • • Network timeouts
  • • Webhook delivery failures
  • • Currency conversion errors
  • • Payment method restrictions
  • • Stripe service interruptions

How to Help Customers:

  • • Provide alternative payment methods
  • • Include clear error explanations
  • • Offer payment assistance contact info
  • • Suggest trying a different card
  • • Enable retry mechanisms

Delayed Status Updates

Status Sync

Normal Processing Times:

  • Credit Cards: Instant to 2 minutes
  • Bank Transfers (ACH): 1-3 business days
  • Digital Wallets: Instant to 5 minutes
  • International Cards: 2-5 minutes

When to Be Concerned:

  • • Credit card payments not updating after 10 minutes
  • • Missing payment notifications for completed transactions
  • • Webhook delivery failures in Stripe dashboard

Manual Resolution:

If automatic status updates fail, you can manually update invoice status by checking your Stripe dashboard and updating the invoice in PayChase AI.

Testing & Development Issues

Test Payments Not Working

Correct Test Card Numbers:

Successful Test Cards:
  • • Visa: 4242 4242 4242 4242
  • • Mastercard: 5555 5555 5555 4444
  • • American Express: 3782 822463 10005
Failure Test Cards:
  • • Declined: 4000 0000 0000 0002
  • • Insufficient funds: 4000 0000 0000 9995
  • • Expired: 4000 0000 0000 0069

Note: Use any future expiry date and any 3-digit CVC for test cards.

Test Environment Checklist:

  • □ Using test API keys (pk_test_ and sk_test_)
  • □ Stripe dashboard set to "Test Data" mode
  • □ Test webhooks configured correctly
  • □ Using official Stripe test card numbers

Getting Additional Help

PayChase AI Support

For issues specific to PayChase AI's Stripe integration:

Include in your message:

  • • Specific error messages
  • • Steps you've already tried
  • • Invoice ID (if applicable)
  • • Screenshots of the issue

Stripe Support

For payment processing or Stripe account issues:

Useful Stripe Resources:

  • • Stripe Dashboard logs
  • • Payment Intent details
  • • Webhook event logs
  • • Account notifications

🛡️ Preventing Future Issues

Best Practices:

  • • Test integration thoroughly before going live
  • • Monitor Stripe dashboard regularly
  • • Keep API keys secure and up to date
  • • Set up proper webhook monitoring
  • • Maintain backup payment methods

Regular Maintenance:

  • • Review payment analytics monthly
  • • Update email templates as needed
  • • Check integration status weekly
  • • Analyze payment failure patterns
  • • Stay updated on Stripe changes