Entries aren't automatically set to "Submitted" after the entry fee is paid through PayPal

When an artist pays their entry fee through PayPal, EntryThingy automatically updates their entry status to "Submitted" using PayPal's Instant Payment Notification (IPN) system. This happens behind the scenes, but it requires two things to be configured correctly:

  1. Your PayPal button code must include the correct IPN notification URL
  2. Your PayPal account must have IPN enabled

If entries aren't automatically updating to "Submitted" after payment, one or both of these requirements isn't met. Here's how to fix it:

How Automatic Status Updates Work

Here's what happens when an artist pays:

  1. Artist clicks your PayPal button and completes payment
  2. PayPal processes the payment and sends money to your PayPal account
  3. PayPal sends an IPN (Instant Payment Notification) to EntryThingy's server
  4. EntryThingy receives the IPN, verifies it's from PayPal, and identifies which entry was paid
  5. EntryThingy automatically updates that entry's status to "Submitted"

This entire process happens automatically within seconds of payment completion, without any action needed from you or the artist.

Requirement 1: Correct IPN URL in Your Button Code

Using the Button Builder (Recommended)

If you use EntryThingy's PayPal Button Builder when creating or editing your call, the correct IPN URL is automatically included in the generated code. The builder ensures your button includes:

```html ```

Important: The IPN URL must be exactly https://www.entrythingy.com/api/paypal-ipn (note the www. prefix is required).

Using Custom Button Code

If you're using custom PayPal button code (not generated by the builder), you must manually include the IPN URL. Make sure your button code includes this line:

```html ```

This tells PayPal where to send payment notifications. Without this, PayPal won't notify EntryThingy when payments are received, and entries won't automatically update.

Item Number Format

For automatic status updates to work, your button code must also use the correct item number format:

```html ```

The submitentry- prefix tells EntryThingy this is an entry fee payment (not a subscription or other payment type). The button builder automatically includes this format.

Requirement 2: Enable IPN in Your PayPal Account

Even if your button code includes the correct IPN URL, PayPal won't send notifications unless IPN is enabled in your PayPal account settings.

How to Enable IPN in PayPal

  1. Log into your PayPal Business account
  2. Click your profile icon (top right) → Account Settings
  3. Go to Business Profile → Notifications
  4. Find Instant Payment Notification and click Update
  5. Select Receive IPN messages (Enabled)
  6. Enter the notification URL: https://www.entrythingy.com/api/paypal-ipn
  7. Click Save

Note: If you're using PayPal hosted buttons (buttons created directly in PayPal's dashboard), you must configure IPN in your PayPal account settings. Hosted buttons don't include the IPN URL in the button code itself - PayPal uses the account-level IPN setting instead.

Verifying Your Setup

To verify everything is working correctly:

  1. Check your button code: When editing your call, look at the PayPal button code field. It should include notify_url with the value https://www.entrythingy.com/api/paypal-ipn
  2. Check PayPal settings: Verify IPN is enabled in your PayPal account with the correct notification URL
  3. Test with a real payment: Have someone make a test payment. Within a few seconds, the entry should automatically update to "Submitted" status

Troubleshooting

Entry Still Shows "Not Submitted" After Payment

If an artist has paid but their entry status hasn't updated:

  • Check the IPN URL: Make sure your button code includes notify_url=https://www.entrythingy.com/api/paypal-ipn
  • Check PayPal IPN settings: Verify IPN is enabled in your PayPal account
  • Check item_number format: Make sure it starts with submitentry-
  • Wait a few minutes: Sometimes IPN notifications can take 1-2 minutes to process
  • Manually update status: If IPN isn't working, you can manually change the entry status to "Submitted" from the Entries list

Using the Button Builder

The easiest way to ensure everything is configured correctly is to use EntryThingy's PayPal Button Builder:

  1. When creating or editing your call, scroll to the Payment & Coupons section
  2. Use the Payment Button Builder to configure your button
  3. Enter your PayPal email address
  4. Enter your return URL (where artists go after payment)
  5. Set your base fee and any additional pricing options
  6. Click Generate Button Code
  7. Save your call

The builder automatically includes all required fields, including the correct IPN URL and item number format.

Important Notes

  • IPN is required: Without IPN, EntryThingy has no way to know when payments are received. Artists will pay, but entries won't automatically update.
  • Payments go directly to you: Entry fees are sent directly to your PayPal account - EntryThingy never touches the money.
  • IPN happens automatically: You don't need to do anything after setting it up. PayPal sends notifications automatically whenever payments are received.
  • Both requirements are needed: Your button code must include the IPN URL AND your PayPal account must have IPN enabled. One without the other won't work.
  • Email address must match: The PayPal email address in your button code must match the email address of the PayPal account where IPN is enabled.

Still Having Issues?

If you've verified both requirements are met but entries still aren't updating automatically:

  • Check that your PayPal email address in the button code matches the email address of the PayPal account where IPN is enabled
  • Verify the entry hasn't already been submitted (check the entry status before payment)
  • Contact support with your call ID and we can help troubleshoot
Did this answer your question? Thanks for the feedback There was a problem submitting your feedback. Please try again later.