[GH-ISSUE #3128] [Bug]: says "server offline" when it actually came back #42925

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opened 2026-04-26 03:05:56 -05:00 by GiteaMirror · 14 comments
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Originally created by @psybers on GitHub (Jul 24, 2024).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/actualbudget/actual/issues/3128

Verified issue does not already exist?

  • I have searched and found no existing issue
  • I will be providing steps how to reproduce the bug (in most cases this will also mean uploading a demo budget file)

What happened?

I started Actual while my wifi was on but disconnected. It tried to sync, and failed. The top-right said "server offline":

image

I then connected to my wiif. I hit the 'sync' button. It seemed to connect and sync, and further hitting 'sync' almost instantly returned. Yet this is what I see:

image

What I expected was it would update to this (which is what I see if I close and restart the app):

image

Where are you hosting Actual?

Docker

What browsers are you seeing the problem on?

Chrome

Operating System

Mac OSX

Originally created by @psybers on GitHub (Jul 24, 2024). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/actualbudget/actual/issues/3128 ### Verified issue does not already exist? - [X] I have searched and found no existing issue - [X] I will be providing steps how to reproduce the bug (in most cases this will also mean uploading a demo budget file) ### What happened? I started Actual while my wifi was on but disconnected. It tried to sync, and failed. The top-right said "server offline": <img width="204" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/8ddece18-63eb-43ec-8808-74ec80cddf90"> I then connected to my wiif. I hit the 'sync' button. It seemed to connect and sync, and further hitting 'sync' almost instantly returned. Yet this is what I see: <img width="189" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e6a37b71-904c-4235-a2ee-1197288e2280"> What I expected was it would update to this (which is what I see if I close and restart the app): <img width="166" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a53aba78-027e-445f-8eab-e3bcdb8b9528"> ### Where are you hosting Actual? Docker ### What browsers are you seeing the problem on? Chrome ### Operating System Mac OSX
GiteaMirror added the good first issuebuguser interface labels 2026-04-26 03:05:56 -05:00
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@jhoward321 commented on GitHub (Jul 29, 2024):

I can also report having this issue

<!-- gh-comment-id:2256627702 --> @jhoward321 commented on GitHub (Jul 29, 2024): I can also report having this issue
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@thraizz commented on GitHub (Aug 20, 2024):

On mobile, syncing via pull-down-refresh doesn't work either, if the connection was once lost. Both in the PWA as well as when accessing directly through Safari. It seems like the offline state is cached somewhere?

For me, my server is behind a VPN which i don't have always active, so the only way to get to the server is by opening a private tab and thereby working around any cache.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2298118101 --> @thraizz commented on GitHub (Aug 20, 2024): On mobile, syncing via pull-down-refresh doesn't work either, if the connection was once lost. Both in the PWA as well as when accessing directly through Safari. It seems like the offline state is cached somewhere? For me, my server is behind a VPN which i don't have always active, so the only way to get to the server is by opening a private tab and thereby working around any cache.
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@slipperybeluga commented on GitHub (Oct 10, 2024):

I am experiencing this or a similar error. On desktop with Brave (Chromium), I have to delete my cookies for Actual every time I want to use it in order to force it reauthenticate with the server. It otherwise always reports offline with no amount of refreshing or force-refreshing helping.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2405903694 --> @slipperybeluga commented on GitHub (Oct 10, 2024): I am experiencing this or a similar error. On desktop with Brave (Chromium), I have to delete my cookies for Actual every time I want to use it in order to force it reauthenticate with the server. It otherwise always reports offline with no amount of refreshing or force-refreshing helping.
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@Masinac commented on GitHub (Mar 10, 2025):

Bug still present, I just lost 10 days of data because it was never synced to server. There was no error or message to let me know that sync is not happening.
Also "server offline" message only appears if you enable "desktop mode" in browser, on mobile view or PWA there is no 'server offline'.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2711760787 --> @Masinac commented on GitHub (Mar 10, 2025): Bug still present, I just lost 10 days of data because it was never synced to server. There was no error or message to let me know that sync is not happening. Also "server offline" message only appears if you enable "desktop mode" in browser, on mobile view or PWA there is no 'server offline'.
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@JeremyMusick commented on GitHub (Mar 12, 2025):

Bug still present, I just lost 10 days of data because it was never synced to server. There was no error or message to let me know that sync is not happening.
Also "server offline" message only appears if you enable "desktop mode" in browser, on mobile view or PWA there is no 'server offline'.

I'm speaking as a pure leech and somebody that doesn't contribute to the project, but I would think that would be fairly simple to implement, an offline indicator in the mobile view.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2718162443 --> @JeremyMusick commented on GitHub (Mar 12, 2025): > Bug still present, I just lost 10 days of data because it was never synced to server. There was no error or message to let me know that sync is not happening. > Also "server offline" message only appears if you enable "desktop mode" in browser, on mobile view or PWA there is no 'server offline'. I'm speaking as a pure leech and somebody that doesn't contribute to the project, but I would think that would be fairly simple to implement, an offline indicator in the mobile view.
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@psybers commented on GitHub (Mar 12, 2025):

You will want to file that as a (separate) feature request.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2718208719 --> @psybers commented on GitHub (Mar 12, 2025): You will want to file that as a (separate) feature request.
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@Masinac commented on GitHub (Mar 12, 2025):

@JERMANY182 shouldn't be too hard since all variables already exists, it is probably just adding element if offline is true.

But bigger issue is that sync is still not working and this is marked as closed.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2718314959 --> @Masinac commented on GitHub (Mar 12, 2025): @JERMANY182 shouldn't be too hard since all variables already exists, it is probably just adding element if offline is true. But bigger issue is that sync is still not working and this is marked as closed.
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@JeremyMusick commented on GitHub (Mar 12, 2025):

@JERMANY182 shouldn't be too hard since all variables already exists, it is probably just adding element if offline is true.

But bigger issue is that sync is still not working and this is marked as closed.

You're preaching to that choir on that one

<!-- gh-comment-id:2718500565 --> @JeremyMusick commented on GitHub (Mar 12, 2025): > @JERMANY182 shouldn't be too hard since all variables already exists, it is probably just adding element if offline is true. > > But bigger issue is that sync is still not working and this is marked as closed. You're preaching to that choir on that one
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@legaldrugdealer commented on GitHub (May 21, 2025):

Hi,

I'm still having this exact issue. I'm not very technical, so I was using ChatGPT to help set everything up. Had it up and running yesterday. But today it kept showing that the server was offline. Did a bunch of troubleshooting, changing the docker-compose file and the Caddyfile - nothing worked. Then I switched it back to what was there originally, and it started working (I'm guessing because somewhere along the way I cleared my cache.

Same thing on mobile I have to access it in a private session so that I can reenter my password before it links to the server.

Note: make sure it says the server is online before making changes!!

Edit: Can someone reopen this issue?

<!-- gh-comment-id:2897861094 --> @legaldrugdealer commented on GitHub (May 21, 2025): Hi, I'm still having this exact issue. I'm not very technical, so I was using ChatGPT to help set everything up. Had it up and running yesterday. But today it kept showing that the server was offline. Did a bunch of troubleshooting, changing the docker-compose file and the Caddyfile - nothing worked. Then I switched it back to what was there originally, and it started working (I'm guessing because somewhere along the way I cleared my cache. Same thing on mobile I have to access it in a private session so that I can reenter my password before it links to the server. Note: make sure it says the server is online before making changes!! Edit: Can someone reopen this issue?
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@ryantheerman commented on GitHub (Jun 10, 2025):

Seeing the same. On mobile the server shows as offline and syncing does not work until i delete my cache and re-authenticate. Another vote for reopening the issue.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2959014202 --> @ryantheerman commented on GitHub (Jun 10, 2025): Seeing the same. On mobile the server shows as offline and syncing does not work until i delete my cache and re-authenticate. Another vote for reopening the issue.
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@SamsiFPV commented on GitHub (Jun 17, 2025):

I experience that issue as well.

I can open the website on my phone no problem, but the next time I open it, it says server offline somewhere deep in the settings. I have no clue that it isn't syncing.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2979036462 --> @SamsiFPV commented on GitHub (Jun 17, 2025): I experience that issue as well. I can open the website on my phone no problem, but the next time I open it, it says server offline somewhere deep in the settings. I have no clue that it isn't syncing.
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@urban-echo commented on GitHub (Jun 26, 2025):

I have experienced this since beginning to use Actual about a year and a half ago. I regularly have to clear browser history in Safari on iOS. I asked about it on the Discord channel once and was told I just have to clear the browser history. It's a particular problem for the less technically inclined users in my household because it's a subtle cue that the connection is lost and many don't know how to clear browser history. In my case the server is accessed via a VPN when away from home. I appreciate all the contributors to Actual and love this application, but this issue is number 1 on my wishlist for improvements.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3008363484 --> @urban-echo commented on GitHub (Jun 26, 2025): I have experienced this since beginning to use Actual about a year and a half ago. I regularly have to clear browser history in Safari on iOS. I asked about it on the Discord channel once and was told I just have to clear the browser history. It's a particular problem for the less technically inclined users in my household because it's a subtle cue that the connection is lost and many don't know how to clear browser history. In my case the server is accessed via a VPN when away from home. I appreciate all the contributors to Actual and love this application, but this issue is number 1 on my wishlist for improvements.
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@saberstop commented on GitHub (Aug 27, 2025):

Just want to chime in and say I face this issue as well. I've seen multiple support chats created on the discord with no one responding. Seems like devs probably are aware of it, but don't know how to fix it is my guess.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3229587268 --> @saberstop commented on GitHub (Aug 27, 2025): Just want to chime in and say I face this issue as well. I've seen multiple support chats created on the discord with no one responding. Seems like devs probably are aware of it, but don't know how to fix it is my guess.
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@prmbittencourt commented on GitHub (Apr 1, 2026):

It's April 2026 and I'm facing the same issue on Firefox Mobile on Android.

<!-- gh-comment-id:4172630576 --> @prmbittencourt commented on GitHub (Apr 1, 2026): It's April 2026 and I'm facing the same issue on Firefox Mobile on Android.
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Reference: github-starred/actual#42925