Article
Troubleshooting Payment & Stripe Issues
Common payment issues on BookAuth — Stripe connection problems, failed payouts, reader payment errors, and how to resolve them.
Updated April 10, 20261 views
Payment issues can be stressful. This guide covers the most common payment-related problems for both authors and readers.
For Authors
"Stripe not connected" but I already connected
- Navigate to Revenue > Payments
- If status shows "Not Connected," click "Connect Stripe" again
- If the connection was interrupted during setup, Stripe may not have completed verification
- Complete any pending verification steps in your Stripe dashboard
Payouts Not Arriving
| Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| New account holding period | Stripe holds funds for 7 days for new accounts — wait it out |
| Bank details incorrect | Check your bank details in Stripe Dashboard > Settings > Payouts |
| Account flagged | Contact Stripe support directly |
| Below minimum payout | Earnings under $1.00 accumulate until threshold is met |
Stripe Dashboard Shows Different Balance Than BookAuth
- Slight timing differences are normal
- BookAuth updates every few minutes; Stripe updates in real-time
- If the discrepancy is significant (more than one sale's worth), contact support
For Readers
Payment Declined
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Insufficient funds | Use a different card |
| Card expired | Update your card details |
| International restriction | Contact your bank to authorize the charge |
| Fraud prevention block | Your bank may need to unblock "BOOKAUTH" charges |
Charged But No Book Access
- Wait 2-3 minutes — processing can be briefly delayed
- Check My Library — the book may already be there
- Check your email for the purchase receipt
- If still missing after 10 minutes, contact support with your receipt
Duplicate Charge
- Check your bank statement carefully — pending charges may show temporarily and then resolve
- If a genuine duplicate charge exists, contact support with both transaction details
General Troubleshooting
Clear Browser State
- Clear cookies for bookauth.com
- Try in an incognito/private window
- Try a different browser
Check Payment Status
- Authors: Revenue > Payments — verify Stripe connection status
- Readers: Settings > Purchase History — verify transaction status
Contact Support
For payment issues, contact [email protected] with:
- Your account email
- Transaction date and amount
- Error message received
- Screenshots if possible
Related Articles
- Connecting Stripe for Payouts
- Understanding Payouts & Revenue
- Purchasing Books & Digital Downloads