> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learn.withessential.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://learn.withessential.com/revenue/invoices/why-cant-i-send-an-invoice.md).

# Why can't I send an invoice?

A few things can block sending. The invoice must be in Draft, have at least one line item, and have no unsaved changes, so save first if the Send button is disabled. A pending sales-tax lookup or an unresolved tax request blocks it too, and so does a required custom field left blank — hovering the disabled button shows "Fill in the required custom fields before sending". You set a recipient (an existing contact or a valid email address) when you send. If the customer has autopay turned on, Send isn't gone — it moves from the action bar into the **...** menu until the invoice has been sent once, and once your Stripe connection is verified the action bar shows Charge Payment Method in its place.

Your business also needs an invoice email template configured. If the email itself can't be delivered, Essential shows "Failed to send invoice. Check the email address and try again." — check the recipient address before retrying. A stale-data conflict (for example, the invoice changed in another tab) names its own reason, but other failures — including a missing template — show only a generic "Error sending invoice. Please try again." Once Send confirms success, you do not need to resend it.

> **Where to find it:** On the open invoice, the Send button in the action bar at the top

## Related guides

* [Receipts, Finalize Without Sending, and Resend](/revenue/invoices/receipts-finalize-without-sending-and-resend.md)
* [Send an invoice to a customer](/revenue/invoices/send-an-invoice-to-a-customer.md)
* [Why can't I edit an invoice?](/revenue/invoices/why-cant-i-edit-an-invoice.md)
* [Why can't I save an invoice?](/revenue/invoices/why-cant-i-save-an-invoice.md)
* [Add a line item to an invoice](/revenue/invoices/add-a-line-item-to-an-invoice.md)


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