> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.clarely.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Payment issues

> Resolve common problems with payment collection and invoice status.

## Client says they paid but the invoice still shows Sent

If they paid by card through your connected Stripe account, Clarely marks the invoice paid automatically — give it a moment, and if it's been more than a few minutes see [Card payment problems](/invoices/stripe-troubleshooting). For any other method — Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, cash, or check — Clarely doesn't detect the payment on its own. You need to mark the invoice paid manually.

1. Open the invoice in Clarely
2. Tap **Mark as Paid**
3. Enter the amount received and the date
4. Tap **Save**

The invoice moves to **Paid** status once you record the payment.

## Client can't figure out how to pay

The invoice page shows your configured payment options with tap-to-copy buttons, plus a **Pay by card** button if you've connected Stripe. If a client is confused:

* Make sure you have at least one payment option configured in **Settings → Invoicing**. If none are set up, the invoice page won't show any payment options.
* Confirm you're using the correct Venmo username, Cash App cashtag, or Zelle contact. A single typo means payments go to the wrong place or fail.
* If the client wants to pay by card and you haven't set that up, see [Connect Stripe](/invoices/connect-stripe).

## Client paid the wrong amount

Record the actual amount received. Open the invoice and tap **Mark as Paid**. Enter exactly what was received and save. Follow up with the client for the difference, then record the remaining payment when it arrives.

## Invoice link shows "not valid or expired"

This means the invoice's public link isn't resolving. A few things to check:

1. Make sure the invoice was actually sent — it needs to be in **Sent** status. Open the invoice and check. If it's still in **Draft**, tap **Send Invoice**.
2. If the invoice was sent correctly and the link still fails, contact [support@clarely.co](mailto:support@clarely.co) with the invoice number.

## I need to issue a refund

If the client paid by card through your connected Stripe account, issue the refund from your Stripe dashboard — then go back to the invoice in Clarely and update its status yourself, since a Stripe refund doesn't change the invoice automatically.

For any other method, refunds happen through the same app the client used to pay:

* **Venmo** — open the Venmo app and send them the refund amount
* **Cash App** — open Cash App and send them the refund
* **Zelle** — send a Zelle transfer back to their registered contact

Clarely doesn't record these refunds automatically. Once an invoice is marked paid, update it yourself if you issue a refund outside Stripe.

## Still stuck?

Email [support@clarely.co](mailto:support@clarely.co) with your invoice number and a description of the issue.