PayPal: common issues and solutions

1. PayPal payment processor connection issue

Issue: PayPal confirms the connection, but Fundraise Up doesn't register the payment processor as connected.

Solution: Please consult our dedicated article addressing this issue.

2. PayPal button not appearing on donation form

Issue: The PayPal payment button not appearing during donation process

Solution: First, ensure that PayPal is enabled in your Fundraise Up payment method settings. Next, verify that you're not using an in-app browser, as PayPal doesn't support these. If you've selected a recurring donation, remember that PayPal doesn't enable these by default. For guidance on setting up recurring donations with PayPal, consult our documentation on activating recurring giving with PayPal.

3. Currency conversion issues

Issue: Organization is receiving donations in multiple currencies, but they're not converting in PayPal. How can we fix this?

Solution: Configure your PayPal account for automatic currency handling. Refer to Fundraise Up's guide on Configuring currency settlement for international donations for step-by-step instructions.

4. PayPal refund issues due to insufficient funds

Issue: Organizations may encounter problems when trying to refund a donation through PayPal due to insufficient funds in their PayPal account.

Solution: If you receive an error indicating insufficient funds for a refund, you have two options:

• Wait for new PayPal donations to come in without transferring the funds to your bank account until you have enough to cover the refund.
• Top up your PayPal account with sufficient funds to cover the refund amount.

If you already have sufficient funds in your account and still receive this error message, contact PayPal support for assistance in resolving the issue⁠.

5. Content Security Policy (CSP) blocking PayPal

Issue: Some organizations may experience issues with PayPal button not loading or opening a blank page due to Content Security Policy restrictions.

Solution: Organizations need to review and update their Content Security Policy according to our documentation.

6. PayPal payment method no longer eligible for use

Issue: A recurring plan receives an error stating "We were notified that the payment method is no longer eligible for use. To continue this recurring plan, you or the donor can add a new payment method".

Solution: This occurs when supporters have canceled their PayPal billing agreements. To resolve, supporters need to add a new payment method to continue their recurring donations. This is not an issue with Fundraise Up, but rather a result of supporters actions in their PayPal account.

7. What should I do if supporters encounter PayPal donation errors?

Issue: Supporters experience PayPal donation errors such as "An error occurred," "PayPal is unavailable," or "Network Error"

Solution: Follow these steps:

• Ensure you're using the PayPal Account Owner account when activating PayPal as a payment method in Fundraise Up. To verify the account owner, check your PayPal Account Settings > Account Owner Information.
• Check for any holds on your PayPal account. If your account is restricted, it may block new transactions.