Crypto invoices usually have a validity window, because the quote locks an exchange rate that stops holding after a while. The awkward case is sending funds right as that window closes.
Bitrefill's help centre addresses both situations. If you already paid, "as soon as the transaction is confirmed onchain & we detect it, you will be able to request a refund for your payment." If you had not yet paid, you can use the Recreate Order button — but that generates a fresh crypto address that has to be verified before you send anything.
This guide sets out the order to work through. Validity windows and rules differ by platform; theirs is what applies.
Key points
- Already paid: wait for on-chain confirmation, then request a refund
- Not paid: recreate the order and use the new address
- A recreated order has a different address — never reuse the old one
- Expiry means the quote is recalculated, not that the same order continues
- Stablecoin invoices face less price-driven expiry pressure, but can still time out
Establish which case you are in
The two paths are entirely different, so first confirm whether funds actually left.
| Situation | How to confirm | What the platform documents |
|---|---|---|
| Already sent | Your wallet or exchange shows the transfer and a hash | Request a refund once it confirms on-chain |
| Not sent | No record on the sending side; the page simply timed out | Recreate the order, using the new address |
| Unsure | Look up your sending address on a block explorer | Do not send again before you know |
If the payment already went out
The funds are in flight and cannot be recalled. Per Bitrefill's article, the transaction has to confirm on-chain and be detected before a refund can be requested, so the first step is getting the transaction hash and checking its status.
When you contact support, give the invoice ID and the transaction ID together — those are what they need to locate the payment. Do not place a replacement order while you wait; that order also needs paying, and can also expire.
If you had not paid yet
This case is simple: create a new order. The critical detail is that the new order comes with a new crypto address.
This is the riskiest step in the whole flow. Many people already have the old address on the clipboard or saved in a wallet address book, and paste it out of habit after recreating the order. Funds sent to the old address are not credited to the new order and usually cannot be recovered. Copy the address afresh and verify the leading and trailing characters.
Why invoices expire at all
An invoice locks a quote. When paying with a volatile asset, the price moves constantly, so the platform can only hold that rate briefly. Bitrefill's article attributes expiry to price volatility on non-stablecoin payments.
Paying in a stablecoin reduces that pressure considerably, but an invoice can still carry a time limit for other reasons. Do not assume yours has none.
Reducing the chance of expiry
Moving the slow preparation ahead of the invoice is the most effective change.
- Have the balance and the network fee ready in the wallet or exchange before generating the invoice.
- Decide which network you are using in advance, so you are not switching inside the window.
- Exchange withdrawals take longer to confirm; get that preparation done first.
- Once the invoice exists, copy, verify and send in one sitting rather than stepping away.
Frequently asked questions
Will funds sent after expiry be refunded automatically?
Not automatically. Per Bitrefill's article you request the refund once the transaction confirms on-chain. Other platforms differ, but nearly all require you to make contact with the invoice ID and transaction ID.
Can I keep paying to the old address?
Do not assume so. A recreated order issues a new address, and funds sent to the old one are usually not credited. Copy the address from the current invoice every time.
How long is an invoice usually valid?
No figure is given here; it differs by platform and gets adjusted. Use the countdown on the invoice in front of you.
Do stablecoin invoices expire too?
They face far less price-driven expiry pressure, but the invoice itself may still carry a limit. Go by what the page shows rather than assuming there is none.
Sources
Public sources used for this guide. Sources checked on 2026-09-09. We have not tested this with a real purchase.
- Bitrefill help centre: payment not received in timeReviewed 2026-09-09
- Bitrefill help centre: refund policyReviewed 2026-09-09