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.
If a client clicks an invoice link and gets a 404, the share token behind that URL has been revoked. Two actions do this, and both are deliberate.
Most likely cause
- Cancelling an invoice revokes its public share token, so the old link 404s immediately.
- Using "Regenerate" on the link also invalidates the old URL right away and issues a new one.
In both cases the link isn't broken so much as intentionally retired — you just need to share the current one.
How to check
- Is the invoice cancelled? Open the invoice in Hoursmith and check its status. A Cancelled invoice will always 404 on its public link.
- Was the link regenerated? If you (or a teammate) clicked Regenerate, any previously shared URL is now dead — only the newest link works.
How to fix
Grab the current link
If the invoice is still active and you only regenerated the link, copy the new public link from the invoice and share that one. The old URL won't come back.
Restore or duplicate a cancelled invoice
If the invoice was cancelled, restore it (or duplicate it) to get a fresh, sendable invoice with a working link. See Cancel & restore.
Resend to the client
Resend the invoice so the client receives the up-to-date link instead of the revoked one.
Regenerating a link invalidates the old URL immediately — there's no grace period. Only send the new link once you've regenerated.
Still stuck?
If the invoice is active, you've shared the latest link, and it still 404s, email hi@hoursmith.app. More on links and statuses in Public links & views.
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.
I can't edit a time entry
Seeing "Invoiced time entries are locked"? The entry is on an invoice. Remove it from the invoice to release and edit it.