My client can't pay
No Pay button on your client's invoice? It only appears when the invoice is Sent, Stripe charges are enabled, and the balance is above zero.
If a client says there's no way to pay online, the Pay button is conditional — it shows only when several things are true at once. Let's find which condition isn't met.
Most likely cause
The Pay button appears only when all of these hold:
- The invoice is Sent (not a draft, and not cancelled).
- Online payments are enabled and your Stripe charges are enabled.
- The balance is greater than zero.
A cancelled invoice has no Pay button, and its public link 404s. A bank-transfer-only invoice deliberately shows payment instructions instead of a card button.
How to check
- Invoice status. Confirm the invoice is Sent. A draft can't be paid; a Cancelled invoice shows nothing to pay and its link returns a 404.
- Stripe. Make sure card payments are actually set up — see Stripe isn't connected.
- Balance. If the balance is already 0, the invoice is paid and there's nothing to charge.
- Payment method. A bank-transfer-only invoice shows instructions, not a card button — that's expected.
How to fix
Send the invoice
If it's still a draft, send it. The Pay button only exists on Sent invoices.
Confirm card payments are enabled
Make sure online payments and Stripe charges are enabled. If not, follow Stripe isn't connected.
Share the link or portal
The client can pay from the emailed link or the client portal, not just the on-screen invoice. If their original email is old, resend it.
Restore a cancelled invoice
If the invoice was cancelled, its link is dead. Restore or duplicate it to get a fresh, payable invoice — see Cancel & restore.
If the invoice is set to bank transfer only, your client sees payment instructions rather than a card button — that's working as intended, not a fault.
Still stuck?
If the invoice is Sent, Stripe charges are enabled, the balance is positive, and there's still no Pay button, email hi@hoursmith.app. See also Accept card payments and Payments troubleshooting.
Stripe isn't connected
Seeing "Coming soon" or no Pay button? Card payments need online payments enabled, a Studio or Agency plan, and a Stripe account with charges enabled.
My invoice link is broken
A public invoice link 404s when the invoice is cancelled or the link is regenerated — both revoke the old URL. Here's how to get a fresh one.