Troubleshooting
Fixes for import errors, invitations that don't arrive, read-only signing links, missing signed PDFs, and Google Drive errors.
Reviewed 2026-10-30 · Formesign guides
Quick Answer
Why can't my signer open the signing link?
If the signer sees You are not allowed to edit this form, the response's status doesn't match their step, so check the Kanban board. If nothing arrives, check spam and the address in Activity, then click Resend request. If Google Sign-in fails, ask them to open the link in their normal browser.
Find what you're seeing below. Each answer starts with the most likely cause.
Creating a form
| What you see | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Browse does nothing | Google's file picker opens in a pop-up, which was blocked | Allow pop-ups for formesign.com |
| Your Google link won't import | The signed-in account can't open the file | Sign in with the owner's account, then use Browse |
| A Google Doc link is rejected by the PDF upload | The upload only takes PDFs | Use the Docs add-on, or download the Doc as a PDF |
| Your PDF won't keep its layout | It's over the 6-page limit | Split it, or choose No, turn it into a form I can edit |
| Fields are missing or misplaced on a PDF | Detection isn't perfect, especially on scans | Fix them on the document |
| We couldn't read your document in Docs | Your organization blocks access | Download as PDF and upload it |
| Notifications use the wrong person | A generated form chose the wrong field | Check the respondent fields |
Signers
| What you see | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The request email didn't arrive | A wrong address, spam, or a previous signer hasn't signed | Check Activity, then Resend request |
| You are not allowed to edit this form | The response's status doesn't match the signer's step | See this fix |
| A signer's link starts a blank form | They have the general link | Send their own with Copy signing link |
| Google Sign-in doesn't open | Pop-up blocked, or an email app's built-in browser | Open the link in a normal browser |
| Someone signs with the wrong account | Google Sign-in used another account | Sign out of that account, then try again |
| The old Google Forms link shows a text box instead of a signature | Google's page can't capture signatures | Share the Formesign link |
| A signer can't find their draft | Drafts are saved on the browser they used | Reopen the link on the same browser and device |
Requests
| What you see | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The request is stuck | Someone hasn't signed | Activity shows who |
| Everyone signed, but the card isn't in Completed | Columns are your team's process, separate from signing | Move the card. Signed and completed on the PDF card is what counts |
| A signer was skipped | They're optional, and no email was provided | Check the optional setting |
| A required signer has no email | Nobody entered it | The previous signer is asked for it, or enter it under Share > Email |
Signed records
| What you see | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The PDF says 1 pending | Someone still has to sign | Wait, or resend the request |
| No PDF | Nobody has signed yet, or you're on another copy of the form | Check the RESPONSES tab |
| Could not save to Google Drive | The permission pop-up was blocked or dismissed | Allow pop-ups, then try again |
| Folders inside a shared drive are not supported yet | Only My Drive is supported | Choose a folder in My Drive |
| An error naming editor@formfacade.com | Your organization blocks Formesign's saving account | Show the error to your Workspace administrator |
| This document has been modified after signing | The file was edited, merged, or printed to a new PDF | Ask for the original |
| A row is missing from a Sheet | There are two routes to a Sheet | Check which one you set up |
Emails
| What you see | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| An expected email isn't arriving | Wrong field, spam, or the response hasn't reached that stage | Check these |
| An email shows sensitive answers | ${response()} in the body, or an attachment | Remove them |
| An answer you expected is masked | It's marked as PHI, as intended | Link staff to the record instead |
Still stuck?
Contact Formesign support. See what to include.