Stripe isn't connecting
You're ready to take card payments and Stripe won't cooperate. Most of the time it's waiting on one more detail from you, or still checking your account. Here's how to tell which, and what to do.
Everything here is under Payments → Settings → Payment methods.
What the Stripe card says
| You see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Connect Stripe, with "Accept online card payments for your invoices." | Stripe isn't connected yet | Choose Connect Stripe and follow Stripe's steps |
| Setup needed | Stripe wants more information before you can take payments | Choose Continue on Stripe |
| In review | Stripe is checking your details | Wait. Payments turn on as soon as Stripe enables them |
| Connected | You're ready to take card payments | Nothing. Make sure invoices offer Stripe |
Quick checklist
- Finish Stripe's setup. Setup needed looks almost connected, but it won't take money. Choose Continue on Stripe and complete whatever's missing. It's usually identity verification, business details or a bank account for payouts. Stripe also emails you about anything outstanding. If you already use Stripe, continue with the same email.
- Give the review time. In review means you've sent everything and Stripe is checking it: "Stripe is reviewing your account. Online payments will be available as soon as Stripe enables them." This can take a little while. Open dashboard takes you to Stripe if you'd like to check on it.
- Come back through CoreHue. When you finish on Stripe, you're sent back to CoreHue, which checks your status and shows "Stripe connected", "Stripe is reviewing your account" or "Continue in Stripe to finish setup". If you closed Stripe's window early, choose Continue on Stripe again. An expired setup link is replaced with a fresh one automatically.
- Try again if it won't start. If you see "Failed to start Stripe connection", refresh the page and choose Connect Stripe again. Check your connection, and try another browser if it keeps happening.
- Check you're on the right Stripe account. Once connected, the card shows the Stripe account name and email. If it's the wrong one, choose Disconnect and connect again with the right login.
Connected, but clients can't pay by card
Stripe says Connected, yet your client has no card option. Check these:
- The invoice doesn't offer Stripe. Open the invoice and look at its payment methods. Stripe (Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay) needs to be ticked. An invoice with no method at all shows No payment method selected, with Edit invoice to fix it.
- Payment is on hold for another reason. An invoice tied to a booking or proposal can show Payments paused, Proposal not accepted or Contract not signed until your client finishes those steps. See Invoices for bookings and proposals.
- Your client's card was declined. That's between them and their bank. Nothing reaches you because nothing was taken, so suggest another card.
Disconnecting Stripe
Disconnect asks you to confirm first. Afterwards, clients can't start new card payments, but your existing payments and history stay put. Your Stripe account stays open, so you can reconnect later.
Frequently asked questions
Does CoreHue charge a fee on card payments?
CoreHue doesn't charge a platform fee on your client payments. You only pay Stripe's processing fees. The Fees section on the Stripe card links to Stripe's pricing for your country.
How long does Stripe's review take?
It depends on Stripe and the details you've given. Set Stripe up well before you need to send your first invoice, so a review never holds up a payment.
Can I use my existing Stripe account?
Yes. When Stripe asks, continue with the same email you already use for Stripe.
Do my clients need a Stripe account to pay?
No. They pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay where available, without signing up for anything. See Accepting card payments with Stripe.