--- title: "Managing and retrying failed recurring payments with Helcim" slug: "managing-failed-recurring-payments" description: "Learn how to handle failed payments in Helcim Recurring, including retrying payments and updating customer payment information." updated: 2025-09-18T22:32:19Z published: 2025-09-18T22:32:19Z canonical: "learn.helcim.com/managing-failed-recurring-payments" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://learn.helcim.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Managing failed recurring payments Failed payments are an unfortunate reality for any business that uses recurring billing. Helcim provides tools to help you recover those payments and minimize disruptions to your revenue stream. This article will guide you through how to manage failed payments within Helcim Recurring. --- **In this article** - [Understanding failed recurring payments](/v1/docs/managing-failed-recurring-payments#understanding-failed-recurring-payments) - [Notifications for failed recurring payments](/v1/docs/managing-failed-recurring-payments#notifications-for-failed-recurring-payments) - [Retrying failed recurring payments](/v1/docs/managing-failed-recurring-payments#retrying-failed-recurring-payments) - [Updating statuses after failed payments](/v1/docs/managing-failed-recurring-payments#updating-statuses-after-failed-payments) - [Next steps](/v1/docs/managing-failed-recurring-payments#next-steps) - [FAQ](/v1/docs/managing-failed-recurring-payments#faq) --- ## Understanding failed recurring payments --- A failed payment means that a scheduled recurring payment could not be processed. There are various reasons why this might happen, including: - Insufficient funds - Expired credit card - Incorrect payment details - Bank issues It's crucial to address failed payments promptly to avoid losing revenue and potentially disrupting service for your customers. ## Notifications for recurring payments --- Using Helcim’s automated email notifications can help prevent failed recurring payments. The following email notifications are relevant: - Transaction declined - Billing heads-up - Card expiring notice - Request new payment information | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/cursor.png) | For more information on managing the email communications sent to your customers when payments fail, refer to [Managing customer communications.](/v1/docs/customer-email-notifications) | | --- | --- | ## Retrying failed recurring payments --- Helcim provides automatic retries for failed recurring payments. To enable: 1. Open the **All Tools** menu 2. Select **Settings**. 3. Select **Recurring** from the left-side menu 4. Click the toggle next to **Retry failed payments**. ![Enabling retries on failed recurring payments in the Helcim settings page.](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/recurring-failed-payments.png) You can choose from the following automatic retry schedule. --- #### **Speed** - **Credit cards:** Retries at 3, 5, and 7 days after the due date. - **ACH:** Retries at 7 days after the due date. --- #### **Success** - **Credit cards:** Retries at 7, 14, and 21 days after the due date. - **ACH:** Retries at 14 days after the due date. --- #### **Custom** Set your own retry intervals for both **Credit Card** and **ACH**. - Click the toggle next to **Retry credit card transactions** - Click **Edit** next to **Retry schedule** - Enter the number of days for the 1st retry in the box - **For credit card only:** select **Add retry** to add additional retries - Click **Save** | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/sparkle.png) | You can only retry ACH payments once. | | --- | --- | | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/settings.png) | ACH plans are only retried if the failure was due to insufficient funds. Other issues will not trigger retries. | | --- | --- | ## Updating statuses after failed payments --- You may the status of your recurring customer, or their invoice, to change if a payment fails. There are two scenarios you can use here. --- ### Failed retries If all in the series of [automatic retries fail](/v1/docs/managing-failed-recurring-payments#retrying-failed-recurring-payments), you can trigger a change in status of the recurring plan, the associated invoice, or both. - Select a dropdown to edit the desired status - Select **Keep as Due** or **Set to cancelled** ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/if-retries-fail.png) --- ### Invalid payments If a customer’s payment information is invalid, you can choose to set a **grace period** before their recurring or invoice status is updated. - Select **Restrict grace period** - Enter the number of days for the grace period - Under **After grace period**, select a desired status for the recurring plan or the associated invoice If a payment still isn’t received after the grace period, the statuses will automatically update. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/invalid-payments.png) ## Next steps --- By proactively managing and preventing failed payments, you can improve your cash flow and customer retention. - To learn more about managing your recurring payment plans and subscriptions, including editing plans and handling payments, see our [Manage recurring payment plans](https://learn.helcim.com/docs/manage-recurring-payment-plans) article. - For information on managing customer credit cards, such as updating card details or processing refunds, please refer to the [Managing customer credit cards](/v1/docs/adding-editing-and-deleting-customer-credit-cards) article. --- ### FAQ **How will I know if a payment has failed?** You will be sent an email notification if you've turned on 'Transaction Declined' emails in your email settings. You can adjust these settings within All Tools > Settings > Email Settings. **Can I set up automatic reminders to customers about expired cards?** Yes, Helcim has a setting to automatically request updated card information from customers before their card expires. **What should I do if a customer consistently has failed payments?** If a customer repeatedly has failed payments, it's best to communicate with them directly to resolve the issue, which could include updating their payment method or discussing alternative payment arrangements.