Troubleshooting Common Issues

This guide covers solutions to the most frequently encountered issues with Badget's financial management features.

Account Connection Issues

Bank Account Won't Connect

Problem: Unable to link your bank account to Badget.

Solutions:

1. Verify Credentials: Ensure username and password are correct
2. Check Two-Factor Authentication: Some banks require app-based authentication
3. Update Security Settings: Temporarily disable security alerts if possible
4. Try Different Browser: Some banks have browser compatibility issues
5. Contact Your Bank: Verify third-party access is enabled

Common Bank Requirements:

• Online banking must be enabled
• Account must be in good standing
• Third-party access permissions enabled
• Two-factor authentication configured

Account Connection Keeps Failing

Problem: Connected accounts repeatedly lose connection.

Solutions:

1. Update Login Credentials: Change password at your bank and reconnect
2. Check Account Status: Ensure account isn't frozen or restricted
3. Review Bank Security Settings: Some banks block repeated API calls
4. Reconnect Manually: Delete and re-add the account connection
5. Contact Support: For persistent issues lasting more than 24 hours

Missing Transactions

Problem: Some transactions aren't importing from connected accounts.

Solutions:

1. Check Transaction Age: Only recent transactions may import initially
2. Verify Account Types: Some account types have import limitations
3. Review Transaction Types: Pending transactions may not appear
4. Manual Refresh: Force sync from account settings
5. Add Missing Transactions: Enter manually if needed

Transaction Issues

Transactions Not Categorizing Correctly

Problem: Automatic categorization is inaccurate.

Solutions:

1. Train the System: Manually categorize similar transactions
2. Create Rules: Set up automatic rules for specific merchants
3. Review Merchant Names: Some transactions have unclear descriptions
4. Split Transactions: Divide mixed purchases across categories
5. Update Categories: Customize categories to match your spending

Creating Categorization Rules:

If merchant contains "Target" → Assign to "Shopping"
If amount > $500 AND merchant = "Mortgage Co" → Assign to "Housing"
If description contains "ATM" → Assign to "Cash & ATM"

Duplicate Transactions Appearing

Problem: Same transaction shows up multiple times.

Solutions:

1. Check Multiple Accounts: Transaction might appear on different accounts
2. Review Import Sources: Manual entries vs. automatic imports
3. Use Merge Feature: Combine duplicate transactions
4. Check Credit Card Payments: Payment might show on both accounts
5. Set Up Duplicate Detection: Enable automatic duplicate filtering

Transaction Amounts Incorrect

Problem: Imported transaction amounts don't match bank statements.

Solutions:

1. Check Currency Conversion: Foreign transactions may have conversion differences
2. Review Pending vs. Posted: Amounts may change between pending and final
3. Verify Account Balance: Ensure overall balance matches
4. Check for Fees: Additional fees might affect total amounts
5. Manual Correction: Edit transaction amounts if needed

Budget Management Issues

Budget Not Tracking Correctly

Problem: Budget categories showing incorrect spending amounts.

Solutions:

1. Review Category Assignments: Ensure transactions are categorized correctly
2. Check Date Ranges: Verify budget period matches transaction dates
3. Include All Accounts: Make sure all relevant accounts are included
4. Review Excluded Transactions: Check if any transactions were excluded
5. Reset Budget: Start fresh if data seems corrupted

Overspending Alerts Not Working

Problem: Not receiving notifications when approaching budget limits.

Solutions:

1. Check Notification Settings: Verify alerts are enabled
2. Review Email Preferences: Ensure emails aren't going to spam
3. Update Alert Thresholds: Adjust warning percentages (80%, 90%, 100%)
4. Verify Account Settings: Check that notifications are enabled for your account
5. Test with Small Budget: Create test budget to verify alerts work

Budget Categories Don't Match Spending

Problem: Pre-built categories don't fit your spending patterns.

Solutions:

1. Customize Categories: Add, remove, or rename categories
2. Create Subcategories: Break down broad categories into specifics
3. Use Other/Miscellaneous: Temporarily categorize unusual expenses
4. Review Spending History: Analyze past spending to create better categories
5. Start Simple: Begin with basic categories and refine over time

Investment and Asset Issues

Investment Values Not Updating

Problem: Portfolio values aren't reflecting current market prices.

Solutions:

1. Check Market Hours: Prices update during trading hours only
2. Verify Ticker Symbols: Ensure correct symbols are used
3. Manual Price Update: Force refresh investment data
4. Review Data Sources: Check if data provider is experiencing issues
5. Update Holdings: Ensure share quantities are correct

Real Estate Values Seem Wrong

Problem: Property values don't match expectations or recent assessments.

Solutions:

1. Update Manual Values: Real estate requires manual value updates
2. Check Assessment Dates: Values may be from older assessments
3. Research Market Values: Use recent comparable sales data
4. Review Property Details: Ensure square footage and features are correct
5. Set Quarterly Updates: Schedule regular property value reviews

Retirement Account Balances Incorrect

Problem: 401(k) or IRA balances don't match provider statements.

Solutions:

1. Check Last Update Date: Some retirement accounts update less frequently
2. Review Contribution Timing: Recent contributions may not appear immediately
3. Verify Account Numbers: Ensure correct accounts are connected
4. Include All Holdings: Check that all investments within account are tracked
5. Manual Entry: Add retirement accounts manually if connection fails

Performance and Technical Issues

App Loading Slowly

Problem: Badget dashboard takes too long to load.

Solutions:

1. Check Internet Connection: Verify stable internet connectivity
2. Clear Browser Cache: Clear cached data and cookies
3. Reduce Data Range: Limit dashboard to shorter time periods
4. Disable Extensions: Browser extensions may cause conflicts
5. Update Browser: Ensure you're using a supported browser version

Sync Issues Between Devices

Problem: Data not syncing across mobile and web platforms.

Solutions:

1. Force App Refresh: Pull down to refresh on mobile apps
2. Log Out and Back In: Reset your session on all devices
3. Check Internet Connection: Ensure stable connection on all devices
4. Update Apps: Ensure all apps are running latest versions
5. Clear App Cache: Reset mobile app data if needed

Data Export Problems

Problem: Unable to export financial data or reports.

Solutions:

1. Check File Format: Try different export formats (CSV, PDF, Excel)
2. Reduce Date Range: Large datasets may timeout
3. Use Smaller Batches: Export data in smaller chunks
4. Try Different Browser: Export issues may be browser-specific
5. Contact Support: For large data exports beyond normal limits

Security and Privacy Concerns

Suspicious Account Activity

Problem: Unrecognized login attempts or account changes.

Immediate Actions:

1. Change Password: Update password immediately
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Add extra security layer
3. Review Recent Activity: Check all recent logins and changes
4. Disconnect Accounts: Temporarily disconnect bank connections
5. Contact Support: Report security concerns immediately

Data Privacy Questions

Problem: Concerns about how financial data is used and stored.

Understanding Our Security:

• Bank-Level Encryption: 256-bit encryption for all data
• Read-Only Access: We never have write access to your accounts
• No Data Selling: Your financial data is never sold or shared
• SOC 2 Compliance: Regular third-party security audits
• Data Control: You can export or delete your data anytime

Getting Help

Self-Service Options

Before contacting support, try these resources:

1. Help Center Search: Use the search function above
2. Video Tutorials: Watch step-by-step guides
3. Community Forum: Ask questions and see solutions from other users
4. Status Page: Check if there are known system issues
5. Feature Updates: Review recent app updates for changes

When to Contact Support

Contact our support team for:

• Account security concerns
• Persistent technical issues
• Billing and subscription questions
• Feature requests or feedback
• Data export assistance

How to Contact Support

Preparation Steps:

1. Document the Issue: Screenshot error messages
2. Note Steps to Reproduce: List what you did before the problem
3. Gather Account Info: Have your account email ready
4. Try Basic Troubleshooting: Restart app, clear cache, try different browser

Contact Methods:

• In-App Chat: Available in the app during business hours
• Email Support: support@badget.app (24-48 hour response)
• Help Desk: Submit ticket through help center
• Phone Support: Available for premium subscribers

Information to Include

When contacting support, please provide:

• Account email address
• Device and browser information
• Exact error messages
• Screenshots of the issue
• Steps you've already tried
• Urgency level (low, medium, high)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my financial data secure?

Yes! Badget uses bank-level security including:

• 256-bit encryption
• Read-only account access
• Regular security audits
• SOC 2 Type II compliance

How often does account data update?

• Bank Accounts: Daily (usually overnight)
• Credit Cards: Daily
• Investment Accounts: Daily during market hours
• Manual Accounts: When you update them

Can I use Badget with international banks?

Currently supported countries:

• United States (all major banks)
• Canada (major banks)
• United Kingdom (coming soon)
• Additional countries planned for 2024

What if my bank isn't supported?

Options for unsupported banks:

• Manual transaction entry
• CSV import from bank exports
• Integration requests (contact support)
• Third-party import tools

Can I delete my data?

Yes, you have full control over your data:

• Export all data anytime
• Delete specific accounts or transactions
• Close account and delete all data
• GDPR/CCPA compliance available

Still having trouble? Our support team is here to help! Contact us with your specific issue.