SUBSCRIPTION_SKIPPED: Recharge Subscription Skip Fix
Root cause
Recharge marks a subscription as SKIPPED for a billing cycle either because the customer requested a skip via the customer portal, a dunning rule triggered an automatic skip, or a Recharge admin action manually skipped the charge. The Shopify subscription contract may not reflect the skip state.
Symptoms
- • Recharge shows charge status as SKIPPED for a billing cycle
- • No Shopify order is created for the skipped period
- • Revenue is missing for the billing period with no failed payment reason
- • Shopify admin shows the subscription contract as ACTIVE but no billing attempt was made
- • Customer did not request a skip but the cycle was bypassed
How to fix it
Identify the skip reason in Recharge
In Recharge Admin, navigate to the customer's subscription and open the charge history. Find the SKIPPED charge and look for the skip_reason field. Common values: customer_initiated (customer requested the skip), max_retries (dunning exhausted and skipped forward), admin_action (manually skipped). This determines the correct recovery path.
For admin or system skips — manually trigger a billing attempt
If the skip was not customer-initiated, trigger an immediate billing attempt for the missed cycle. In Recharge Admin, use the 'Charge now' option on the subscription. Alternatively, use the Recharge API to create a charge for the skipped date. Confirm a Shopify order is created after the charge succeeds.
Audit your dunning rules for unintended skip triggers
If skips are happening automatically due to dunning rules, review your Recharge dunning configuration. Max retries should cancel the subscription, not skip forward to the next cycle — skipping forward causes revenue loss without customer communication. Adjust the end-of-dunning behavior to cancel + notify instead of skip + continue.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Recharge SKIPPED charge mean the customer cancelled?
No. A SKIPPED charge means that billing cycle was bypassed — the subscription remains active and will attempt to bill again on the next scheduled date. Revenue for the skipped period is permanently lost unless you manually trigger a catch-up charge.
Can I charge a customer retroactively for a skipped cycle?
Yes, with the customer's knowledge. Use Recharge's manual charge feature or API to bill for the missed period. Communicate transparently — send a notification explaining the missed charge before billing. Charging retroactively without notice increases dispute risk.
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