Buttondown Stripe Paid Subscriptions Not Working
Quick answer
Paid subscriptions need the $9 add-on and a connected Stripe account. Common failures are an unfinished Stripe connection, using Stripe test mode (unsupported), or one Stripe account per newsletter.
Most likely fix: Reconnect Stripe
How to fix it
Try these in order — the most common fix is first.
1. Reconnect Stripe
- Go to Settings > Features > Paid subscriptions
- Click Connect to Stripe and approve in Stripe
- Set price, currency and cadence
Did this fix it?2. Avoid test mode
- Buttondown does not support Stripe test mode
- Test with a real low-price plan and refund it
Did this fix it?3. Multiple newsletters
- Connect a separate Stripe account for each newsletter
Did this fix it?4. Check the add-on
- Confirm the Paid subscriptions add-on is on under billing
- Contact support if status still does not sync
Did this fix it?
Symptoms
Connect to Stripe fails, subscribers cannot pay, or paid status does not sync.
Why it happens
- Stripe account not fully connected or approved
- Stripe test mode is not supported
- Each newsletter needs its own Stripe account
- Paid subscriptions add-on not enabled
- Older docs describe a different setup flow
This guide also covers
- buttondown stripe not working
- buttondown paid subscriptions
- buttondown connect stripe
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