---
title: HiveCRM Troubleshooting
description: Troubleshoot common HiveCRM issues with installation, licensing, the Client Portal, and other features.
url: "https://hiveplugins.com/docs/hivecrm-troubleshooting/"
updated: "2026-09-27"
category: HiveCRM
---

# HiveCRM Troubleshooting

Troubleshoot common HiveCRM issues with installation, licensing, the Client Portal, and other features.

## Installation & Activation

### HiveCRM cannot be activated

Check that WordPress is 6.0 or later and PHP is 7.4 or later — see [Installation & Requirements](installation-requirements.md).

### The Hive CRM menu does not appear after installation

Confirm the plugin folder is `wp-content/plugins/hive-crm` and that **Hive CRM Premium** is activated from **Plugins**.

## License

### I can't create or edit any records

Your license isn't currently verified as active. Go to **Settings → Plugin License** and activate your key — see [License Activation](license-activation.md). If you were recently active and your site briefly lost connectivity to the license server, HiveCRM keeps you active for a 5-day grace period before switching to read-only mode.

### My license shows Active, but I still can't edit records

Refresh the Settings page. If the issue persists, deactivate and reactivate your license from **Settings → Plugin License** to force a fresh verification.

### My license key won't activate on a new domain

A license activation is tied to the site URL it was originally activated on. Deactivate it from the old URL if possible, or manage your activations from [your Hive Plugins account](https://hiveplugins.com/my-account/), then activate again from the new domain.

## Client Portal

### A client can't log in to their portal

Confirm the client has a WordPress user account with the `hcrm_client` role. If **Auto-Provision Client Portal Account** wasn't enabled under [Contact Settings](contact-settings.md) when they were added, you'll need to create their account manually.

### A client sees "no content" on the portal page

Make sure the `[hive_crm_portal]` shortcode is added to the page, and that the client is logged in when visiting it.

### A client can't see their deals/invoices/projects/tickets

Check that the relevant section is enabled under **Visible Sections** in [Configuring the Client Portal](configuring-the-client-portal.md).

## Payments

### A client's card payment isn't going through with Stripe

Confirm you're using the correct **Publishable Key** and **Secret Key** pair for the mode (Test vs Live) you have enabled, and use **Test Connection** on the Payment Gateways screen to verify the secret key.

### PayPal payments aren't confirming automatically

Make sure you've created a webhook in your PayPal Developer Dashboard pointing at `https://yoursite.com/wp-json/hive-crm/v1/payments/webhook`, and that its Webhook ID is saved under [Payment Gateways](payment-gateways.md).

## Webhooks & Integrations

### An outbound webhook URL is being rejected

HiveCRM blocks outbound webhooks and integrations from targeting private, loopback, or reserved IP ranges as a security measure against server-side request forgery. Point your webhook at a publicly reachable HTTPS URL.

### Emails aren't sending

Check your delivery method under [Email & SMTP Settings](email-smtp-settings.md) and use **Send Test Email** to confirm delivery. If using Custom SMTP or Brevo, double-check your credentials and sender verification status.

## Automation

### A workflow isn't running

Confirm the workflow is toggled **Active** — inactive workflows are saved but never run. Check the workflow's run history to see whether it's firing but a condition is blocking it, or whether the trigger simply hasn't fired yet — see [Building a Workflow](building-a-workflow.md).

## Related Documentation

- [HiveCRM Overview](hivecrm-overview.md)
- [Installation & Requirements](installation-requirements.md)
- [License Activation](license-activation.md)