> ## 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.

# Card payment problems

> Fix common issues connecting Stripe or accepting card payments.

## Clarely won't accept my key

Clarely only accepts a **restricted key** — one that starts with `rk_live_` or `rk_test_`. If you pasted a key starting with `sk_live_`, that's a full secret key, and Clarely rejects it on purpose. Go back to Stripe, create a restricted key with the permissions listed in [Connect Stripe](/invoices/connect-stripe), and paste that instead.

## Clarely says the key is invalid

This usually means the key was typed or pasted incorrectly, or it's been revoked in Stripe. Double-check you copied the whole key with no extra spaces, or create a fresh restricted key in Stripe and try again.

## The key won't validate at all

If Clarely can't reach Stripe to check the key, try again in a minute — this is usually a temporary connection issue on either side, not a problem with your key.

## Pay by card isn't showing on my invoices

Two things to check: confirm your key was saved successfully in **Settings → Invoicing → Card payments**, and confirm your plan includes card payments — this feature isn't available on Free or Starter.

## A client's payment isn't showing as paid

Give it a moment — Clarely updates the invoice automatically once Stripe confirms the payment. If it's been more than a few minutes, check your Stripe dashboard to confirm the payment actually went through on Stripe's side.

## I need to refund a client

Refunds happen in your Stripe dashboard, not in Clarely. After you refund a client in Stripe, go back to the invoice in Clarely and update its status yourself — a Stripe refund doesn't change the invoice automatically.

## Still stuck?

Email [support@clarely.co](mailto:support@clarely.co) with your invoice number and what you're seeing.