How to Configure Failed Payment Retries in GoHighLevel

If you manage recurring subscriptions in ClickUp or any other project platform, you still need reliable billing automation. In this guide, you will learn how to configure failed payment retries and dunning settings in GoHighLevel so your subscriptions stay active, overdue invoices are handled correctly, and revenue loss is minimized.

This how-to article is based on the official documentation for subscription settings and explains, step by step, how failed payment retries work, which options you can customize, and how each choice affects your customers’ subscriptions.

Understanding GoHighLevel Subscription Retry Logic

Before changing any settings, it is important to understand how GoHighLevel handles subscription billing attempts and what happens when a payment fails.

Each subscription charge goes through a billing attempt. If the payment method fails (for example, insufficient funds or a declined card), the system checks your global subscription settings to decide whether to retry, when to retry, and how long the subscription should stay active before cancellation.

The main concepts in the GoHighLevel subscription retry system are:

• Maximum retry attempts – how many times the system will try to charge again after a failure.
• Retry frequency – the time interval between each retry.
• Grace period – how long the subscription remains active after the last failed attempt.
• Cancellation rules – what should happen if all retries fail.

These parameters work together to create your dunning strategy, balancing customer flexibility with revenue protection.

Accessing GoHighLevel Subscription Settings

To manage failed payment retries, you must open the subscription settings area in your GoHighLevel account. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to your GoHighLevel account with an admin or billing-enabled user.
2. Navigate to the Payments or Billing section, depending on your account layout.
3. Look for Subscription Settings or a similarly named configuration area.
4. Open the section dedicated to Failed Payment Retries or Dunning.

The specific labels in your interface may differ slightly, but they map to the options described in the official documentation. If you ever need to confirm an option, review the original guide at GoHighLevel subscription settings – failed payment retries.

Key GoHighLevel Failed Payment Options

The subscription settings page provides several important options that control how billing behaves after a failed charge. Each of these settings directly affects your customer experience and your cash flow.

GoHighLevel Retry Attempts

Here you set the maximum number of times GoHighLevel should try to charge a failed subscription before giving up. For example, you might allow three or four retries so customers have time to update their card or resolve bank issues.

Recommended approach:

• Use multiple retries instead of immediate cancellation.
• Balance customer leniency with revenue protection.
• Monitor your failure rates regularly and adjust if needed.

GoHighLevel Retry Frequency

Retry frequency defines the delay between each new attempt. Common patterns include:

• Every 1 day
• Every 3 days
• Every 7 days

Shorter windows bring faster recovery of payments, while longer windows give customers more time to resolve card issues. In GoHighLevel, choose a frequency that matches your business model and the urgency of your service access.

GoHighLevel Grace Period Settings

The grace period determines how long a subscription stays active after the final failed retry. During this window, the system has already tried all configured attempts, but you may still want to provide access while the customer fixes payment issues manually.

Typical use cases:

• Short grace period (1–3 days) for critical, high-value services.
• Moderate grace period (7 days) for most standard memberships.
• Longer grace period when brand experience and goodwill are top priorities.

Cancellation Behavior in GoHighLevel

After all retries have failed and the grace period (if any) has ended, GoHighLevel will apply the cancellation rule you define. The system can:

• Automatically cancel the subscription.
• Mark it as unpaid or overdue, based on your configuration.
• Trigger automations or workflows you have built to handle churn.

Align this behavior with your internal policies, especially how you revoke access to courses, communities, or services after non-payment.

How to Configure Failed Payment Retries Step by Step

Use this process to configure your GoHighLevel failed payment settings from end to end.

Step 1: Open GoHighLevel Billing Settings

1. Sign into your GoHighLevel dashboard.
2. Go to the billing or payments area where subscriptions are managed.
3. Click on Subscription Settings to open the configuration page.

Step 2: Set the Number of Retry Attempts

1. Locate the Failed Payment Retries or Retry Attempts option.
2. Enter the maximum number of attempts you want, such as 3 or 4.
3. Save your changes to ensure the system will follow this new rule for future failed payments.

Step 3: Define the Retry Interval

1. Find the setting that controls Retry Frequency or interval between attempts.
2. Choose a time gap (for instance, 3 days) that matches your customer behavior and cash flow needs.
3. Confirm and save the update.

Step 4: Configure the Grace Period

1. Scroll to the Grace Period options.
2. Select how many days after the last failed attempt the subscription should remain active.
3. Document the policy for your support team so they can clearly explain it to customers.

Step 5: Set the Final Cancellation Rule

1. In the cancellation or final action section, choose what should happen when all retries fail.
2. Select whether to cancel, mark as unpaid, or send the customer to a specific follow-up process.
3. Save your settings and test with a dummy subscription wherever possible.

Best Practices for GoHighLevel Subscription Management

To get the most from these subscription tools, combine the GoHighLevel billing settings with communication and automation strategies.

• Notify customers promptly when a payment fails and when a retry is scheduled.
• Provide easy ways to update cards via secure customer portals or links.
• Use workflows to tag accounts, send reminders, or alert your team before cancellations occur.
• Review reporting regularly to understand how often retries succeed and where revenue is leaking.

If you work with a marketing or automation agency, ask them to review your GoHighLevel subscription rules during regular audits. For additional strategy help around CRM setups and automation, you can explore resources from Consultevo.

Troubleshooting GoHighLevel Failed Payment Issues

When failed payment retries are not working as expected, check these areas:

• Confirm that your retry attempts and frequency are correctly saved.
• Verify that the payment processor connected to GoHighLevel is active and authorized.
• Review any automations that might cancel or modify subscriptions earlier than intended.
• Compare behavior with the official documentation from the GoHighLevel support site.

If results still differ from what you expect, gather logs, screenshots, and customer examples, then contact support with clear details about the subscription, the failed payment event, and the settings you configured.

Next Steps

By correctly configuring failed payment retries, grace periods, and cancellation rules, you ensure that GoHighLevel manages your subscriptions with minimal manual intervention. Adjust these options over time as you learn more about customer payment behavior and optimize for revenue retention.

For the most up-to-date specifics on each field and any newly added options, continue to reference the official GoHighLevel guide at the subscription settings – failed payment retries article.

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