Payments · 1 min read
Recover Failed Subscription Payments with Automatic Retries
When a subscription payment fails, an invoice is created automatically so the customer can pay another way, and the saved card is retried on a schedule you choose.
How recovery works
- A renewal charge fails and the subscription becomes Unpaid.
- An invoice is created for the amount due, and the customer can pay it any time.
- Automatic retries charge the saved payment method on your schedule.
- If the invoice is paid or a retry succeeds, the remaining retries stop and the subscription goes back to Active.
- If every retry fails, the subscription stays Unpaid, unless you've turned on automatic cancellation.
Set the retry schedule
- Go to Payments > Settings > Subscriptions.
- Find Manage failed payments for subscriptions.
- Add retry attempts and pick the delay for each: 1, 3, or 5 days after the previous attempt.
- Choose what happens after the last retry fails: leave the subscription unpaid, or cancel it.
- Save.
Retry a payment manually
To try a charge right away, open the subscription in Payments > Subscriptions and use the retry payment option.
Tips
- Send a reminder workflow when a payment fails so customers can update their card.
- Ask customers to keep their card details up to date.