Written by Jason Feemster, POS specialist with 15+ years of experience helping restaurants and retailers troubleshoot POS systems, payments, and hardware issues.
Common Issue: Clover refunds not processing, refund button missing, or transactions failing with errors.
Fast Fixes: Restart Clover, sync with the cloud, check employee permissions, verify payment settlement, or confirm internet connectivity.
Need official help? See our Clover Customer Service Guide.
Want guided troubleshooting? Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant (Free).
Clover refunds not working? Your device might refuse to process refunds, the refund button may be missing, or the transaction may fail with a processing error. This problem happens across Clover Flex, Mini, Mobile, and Station devices.
Below are the most common causes and the fastest ways to fix refund issues on Clover.
Table of Contents
Common Reasons Clover Refunds Fail
- Internet connection is unstable or offline
- Employee or role permissions don’t allow refunds
- The transaction hasn’t settled yet
- Partial refunds disabled for the payment type
- Refund is attempted from the wrong order or device
- Clover cloud sync is delayed or stuck
How to Fix Clover Refunds Not Working
1. Restart Clover to Reset Cloud Sync
Clover sometimes fails to load the latest order data. Restarting forces a fresh sync with the cloud.
- Unplug the Clover or remove from dock.
- Wait 10 seconds.
- Reconnect and reboot.
Try the refund again after the sync completes.
2. Check Internet Connectivity
Clover requires a stable internet connection to validate and process refunds.
- Test Wi-Fi with another device.
- Restart your router.
- Switch to a different Wi-Fi network if possible.
- Avoid guest networks or firewalled networks.
If the device reconnects, try issuing the refund again.
3. Verify Employee Permissions
The most overlooked cause: the logged-in employee does not have refund access.
- Open Employees app.
- Select the employee role.
- Enable Refund Payments.
- Save changes and retry.
If the refund button is missing entirely, this is usually the reason.
4. Make Sure the Transaction Has Settled
Clover cannot process refunds on transactions that have not yet batched/settled.
- Open Transactions.
- Select the order.
- Look for settlement status.
- If unsettled, wait for the batch to complete.
Settlement normally occurs once per day unless manually configured.
5. Try Issuing the Refund from Another Clover Device
If you have multiple Clover devices, the order may be synced incorrectly across them.
- Open Transactions on a different Clover.
- Locate the same sale.
- Attempt the refund there.
If it works elsewhere, the original device likely has a sync delay.
6. Ensure the Order Was Not Already Refunded
Clover will not allow duplicate refunds for the same line item or payment.
- Open the transaction details.
- Scroll down to refund history.
- Confirm no previous partial or full refund was processed.
7. Update Clover Software
Outdated software can cause payment and refund issues.
- Go to Settings → About Device.
- Install available updates.
- Restart the device afterward.
If updates fail, see our full guide for fixing update problems.
When to Contact Clover Support
- The refund fails repeatedly with error codes
- The refund button is missing even with correct permissions
- The device will not sync to access past orders
- The transaction does not appear in the device at all
Clover Customer Service – Phone, Chat & Help Center
Clover Refund Not Working – FAQs
Why does my Clover say refund failed?
Can I refund a payment from yesterday?
Do I need the customer’s card to issue a refund?
Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant
Need step-by-step help fixing Clover refund issues?
- POSUSA POS Support Assistant
- Select Clover
- Type: “refund”
- Follow the guided troubleshooting flow
It’s fast, free, and designed for real restaurant and retail environments.
Thinking About Switching POS Systems?
If you’re dealing with repeated POS issues, it might be time to compare more reliable options built for restaurants and retail businesses.
Takes 30 seconds • No sales pressure
