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Troubleshooting Guide

Common issues and solutions for Notifer users.

Quick Support

Can't find your issue? Contact support at support@notifer.io or visit our community forum.

Account Issues​

Can't Sign In​

Problem: Login fails with incorrect credentials

Solutions:

  1. Verify email and password

    • Check for typos
    • Email is case-sensitive
    • Password is case-sensitive

  2. Reset password

  3. Check account status

    • Account might be disabled
    • Email might not be verified
    • Try resending verification email

  4. Try different browser

    • Clear cookies and cache
    • Try incognito/private mode
    • Disable browser extensions

Email Verification Issues​

Problem: Verification email not received

Solutions:

  • Check spam/junk folder
  • Wait 5-10 minutes - Email delivery can be delayed
  • Verify email address - Check for typos during registration
  • Resend verification email:
    1. Go to login page
    2. Click "Resend verification email"
    3. Enter email address
    4. Check inbox again

Problem: Verification link expired

Solution:

  • Verification links expire after 24 hours
  • Request new verification email
  • Complete verification within 24 hours

Google Sign-In Fails​

Problem: Can't sign in with Google

Solutions:

  1. Check pop-ups

    • Enable pop-ups for app.notifer.io
    • Disable pop-up blockers

  2. Clear cookies

    • Clear browser cookies for google.com and notifer.io
    • Try again

  3. Try incognito mode

    • Open incognito/private window
    • Attempt Google sign-in

  4. Check Google account

    • Verify Google account is active
    • Try signing in to google.com directly
    • Enable third-party access in Google account settings

Topic Issues​

Can't Create Topic​

Problem: Topic creation fails

Solutions:

Error: "Topic name already exists"

  • Topic names are globally unique
  • Try different name or add prefix
  • Check "My Topics" - you might already own it

Error: "Invalid topic name"

  • Use only alphanumeric characters, hyphens, underscores
  • No spaces or special characters
  • Length: 3-50 characters
  • Examples: my-topic, server_alerts, topic123

Error: "Rate limit exceeded"

  • Free plan: 5 topics max
  • Wait or upgrade plan
  • Delete unused topics

Can't Delete Topic​

Problem: Delete button disabled or error

Solutions:

  • Verify ownership - Only topic owner can delete
  • Check subscriptions - Unsubscribe all users first (TEAM plan)
  • Type topic name correctly - Delete confirmation requires exact name
  • Try from different browser - Might be UI issue

Topic Not Showing in Discover​

Problem: Public topic not visible in discovery

Solutions:

  • Check privacy setting - Must be public
  • Check visibility - "Show in Discover" must be enabled (Topic Settings → General)
  • Wait a few minutes - New topics may take time to index
  • Publish message - Topics with no messages may not appear
  • Clear cache - Refresh discover page

Can't Access Private Topic​

Problem: 401 Unauthorized or 403 Forbidden

Solutions:

Using curl/API:

# Verify authentication header
curl -d "Test" \
  -H "X-Topic-Token: tk_your_token_here" \
  https://app.notifer.io/private-topic

# Or use API key
curl -d "Test" \
  -H "X-API-Key: noti_your_key_here" \
  https://app.notifer.io/private-topic

Using web dashboard:

  • Sign in to correct account
  • Verify you own the topic
  • Check topic appears in "My Topics"

Check token:

  • Token hasn't been revoked
  • Token has correct permissions (publish or subscribe)
  • No typos in token (copy-paste recommended)

Publishing Issues​

Messages Not Appearing​

Problem: Published message doesn't show in feed

Solutions:

  1. Verify successful publish

    # Check HTTP response
    curl -i -d "Test message" https://app.notifer.io/your-topic

    # Should return:
    # HTTP/1.1 200 OK
    # {"status":"ok","message":"Message published"}

  2. Check topic name

    • Verify spelling
    • Topic name is case-sensitive
    • Check URL: https://app.notifer.io/{exact-topic-name}

  3. Refresh feed

    • Hard refresh (Ctrl+F5 or Cmd+Shift+R)
    • Check real-time connection status

  4. Check subscription

    • Verify you're subscribed to topic
    • Check notification settings (priority threshold, tag filters)

  5. Check message retention

    • Messages older than retention period auto-delete
    • FREE: 7 days, ESSENTIALS: 30 days, TEAM: 45 days

Publishing Returns Error​

Problem: HTTP error when publishing

Solutions:

400 Bad Request:

  • Check message body is not empty
  • Verify headers are correct format
  • Check special characters are properly encoded

401 Unauthorized:

  • Private topic requires authentication
  • Add X-Topic-Token or X-API-Key header
  • Verify token is valid and not revoked

403 Forbidden:

  • Token lacks publish permission
  • Create new token with publish scope
  • Or use different authentication method

413 Payload Too Large:

  • Message exceeds size limit
  • FREE: 4KB, ESSENTIALS: 16KB, TEAM: 64KB
  • Reduce message size or upgrade plan

429 Too Many Requests:

  • Rate limit exceeded
  • FREE: 10/min, ESSENTIALS: 30/min, TEAM: 100/min
  • Wait for rate limit reset
  • Check X-RateLimit-Reset header
  • Upgrade plan for higher limits

Headers Not Working​

Problem: Priority, tags, or title not showing

Solutions:

Verify header names:

# Correct headers:
curl -d "Message" \
  -H "X-Title: My Title" \
  -H "X-Priority: 1" \
  -H "X-Tags: urgent,server" \
  https://app.notifer.io/topic

# Common mistakes:
# ❌ "Title: My Title" (missing X- prefix)
# ❌ "Priority: 1" (missing X- prefix)
# ❌ "X-Tag: urgent" (should be X-Tags plural)

Check header values:

  • Priority: Integer 1-5
  • Tags: Comma-separated, no spaces
  • Title: Plain text, max 100 characters

Nginx configuration (if self-hosting):

  • Ensure nginx passes through custom headers
  • Check proxy_set_header directives

Notification Issues​

Desktop Notifications Not Working​

Problem: No browser notifications

Solutions:

  1. Check browser permission

    • Chrome: Settings → Privacy & Security → Site Settings → Notifications
    • Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Permissions → Notifications
    • Safari: Preferences → Websites → Notifications
    • Ensure app.notifer.io is "Allowed"

  2. Check system settings

    • Windows: Settings → System → Notifications
      • Ensure Chrome/Firefox is enabled
    • macOS: System Preferences → Notifications
      • Find Chrome/Firefox in list
      • Enable "Allow notifications"

  3. Check subscription settings

    • Verify you're subscribed to topic
    • Check priority threshold (set to 1 for all messages)
    • Check tag filters (remove if testing)

  4. Test notification

    • Settings → Notifications → "Send test notification"
    • Should appear immediately

  5. Clear browser data

    • Clear site data for app.notifer.io
    • Re-grant notification permission

Mobile Push Not Received​

Problem: Mobile app doesn't show notifications

Solutions:

  1. Check app permission

    • iOS: Settings → Notifer → Notifications → Allow Notifications ON
    • Android: Settings → Apps → Notifer → Notifications → All ON

  2. Check system notification settings

    • iOS: Settings → Notifications → Show Previews → Always
    • Android: Ensure all notification categories enabled

  3. Check battery optimization

    • Android: Settings → Apps → Notifer → Battery → Unrestricted
    • Battery optimization can delay or block notifications

  4. Verify push token

    • Open app
    • Settings → Advanced → Push Token
    • Should show valid token starting with "ExponentPushToken"
    • If missing, reinstall app

  5. Check subscription

    • Open app → Topics tab
    • Verify topic is in "Subscribed"
    • Check notification settings (priority threshold)

  6. Test with high priority

    curl -d "Test notification" \
      -H "X-Priority: 1" \
      -H "X-Topic-Token: tk_..." \
      https://app.notifer.io/your-topic

  7. Verify topic received messages

    • Check message appears in web dashboard
    • Filters might be excluding messages

Connection Issues​

SSE Connection Failed​

Problem: "Disconnected" status in web dashboard

Solutions:

  1. Check internet connection

    • Verify you're online
    • Try loading other websites

  2. Disable browser extensions

    • Ad blockers can interfere with SSE
    • Privacy extensions might block connections
    • Try incognito mode

  3. Check firewall/proxy

    • Corporate firewalls may block SSE
    • VPN might interfere
    • Try different network (mobile hotspot)

  4. Clear browser cache

    • Clear cache for app.notifer.io
    • Hard refresh page

  5. Try different browser

    • Test in Chrome, Firefox, Safari
    • Update browser to latest version

WebSocket Connection Failed (Mobile)​

Problem: Mobile app shows "Disconnected"

Solutions:

  1. Check network

    • Switch between WiFi and mobile data
    • Try different WiFi network

  2. Disable VPN

    • VPN can block WebSocket connections
    • Temporarily disable and test

  3. Check app version

    • Update to latest version
    • Old versions may have connection bugs

  4. Restart app

    • Force close app
    • Reopen and check connection

  5. Reinstall app

    • Uninstall completely
    • Reinstall from App Store/Play Store
    • Sign in again

Authentication Issues​

API Keys Not Working​

Problem: 401 Unauthorized with API key

Solutions:

  1. Verify header name

    # Correct:
    curl -H "X-API-Key: noti_..." https://app.notifer.io/topic

    # Wrong:
    curl -H "API-Key: noti_..." https://app.notifer.io/topic
    curl -H "Authorization: noti_..." https://app.notifer.io/topic

  2. Check key hasn't been revoked

    • Settings → API Keys
    • Verify key is in list and active
    • Check "Last used" updates when you use it

  3. Check key scopes

    • Key must have publish scope for publishing
    • Key must have subscribe scope for subscribing
    • Create new key with correct scopes if needed

  4. Verify key format

    • User API keys start with noti_
    • Topic access tokens start with tk_
    • Don't confuse the two

Topic Access Tokens Not Working​

Problem: 401 Unauthorized with topic token

Solutions:

  1. Verify header name

    # Correct:
    curl -H "X-Topic-Token: tk_..." https://app.notifer.io/topic

    # Wrong:
    curl -H "X-API-Key: tk_..." https://app.notifer.io/topic

  2. Check token for correct topic

    • Topic tokens are topic-specific
    • Token for "topic-a" won't work on "topic-b"
    • Verify you're using token for this specific topic

  3. Check token hasn't been revoked

    • Topic Settings → Access Tokens
    • Verify token is active
    • "Last used" should update

  4. Check token permissions

    • Publish action requires publish permission
    • Subscribe action requires subscribe permission
    • View token permissions in topic settings

Performance Issues​

Slow Message Loading​

Problem: Messages take long to load

Solutions:

  • Clear browser cache
  • Reduce number of subscribed topics
  • Check internet connection speed
  • Try different browser
  • Close unused tabs

High CPU/Memory Usage​

Problem: Browser or app using too much resources

Solutions:

  • Close other tabs
  • Disable unused browser extensions
  • Update to latest browser version
  • Restart browser/app
  • Check for browser memory leaks (try incognito)

Data Issues​

Messages Disappeared​

Problem: Old messages no longer visible

Solutions:

Check retention period:

  • FREE plan: 7 days
  • ESSENTIALS plan: 30 days
  • TEAM plan: 45 days
  • Messages auto-delete after retention period

Check manual deletion:

  • Topic owner can delete messages
  • Check with topic owner if not your topic

Export important messages:

  • Topic → More → Export Messages
  • Download as JSON or CSV
  • Save externally

Data Not Syncing​

Problem: Changes don't reflect across devices

Solutions:

  • Check you're signed in to same account
  • Refresh page/app
  • Sign out and sign in again
  • Check internet connection
  • Wait a few minutes for sync

Getting More Help​

Check Status Page​

Visit status.notifer.io to see:

  • Current system status
  • Ongoing incidents
  • Planned maintenance
  • Historical uptime

Contact Support​

Email Support:

  • support@notifer.io
  • Include: Account email, issue description, error messages, browser/device info

Community Forum:

Report Bugs:

Provide Useful Information​

When reporting issues, include:

  • Account email (if account-related)
  • Browser/device (Chrome 120, iPhone 15 iOS 17, etc.)
  • Topic name (if topic-related)
  • Error messages (exact text or screenshot)
  • Steps to reproduce
  • What you expected vs what happened

Next Steps​

  • FAQ - Frequently asked questions
  • Account Setup - Account creation and configuration
  • Mobile App - Mobile app setup and troubleshooting