v1.0.0

// File: src/content/docs/form2contacts/troubleshooting/common-issues.md

title: "Common Issues" description: "Solutions to frequently encountered problems with Form2Contacts" order: 1 lastUpdated: "2025-01-20" readingTime: 7 keywords: ["troubleshooting", "problems", "issues", "solutions", "help"]

Common Issues

Quick solutions to the most common problems users face with Form2Contacts.

Contacts Not Being Created

Problem: Form submissions aren't creating contacts

Quick Check:

  1. Open Extensions → Form2Contacts → View Usage & Settings
  2. Look for the connection status indicator
  3. Check if quota is exceeded

Common Causes and Solutions:

| Cause | How to Check | Solution | |-------|--------------|----------| | Not connected | Status shows "Disconnected" | Click "Start Setup" to reconnect | | Quota exceeded | Dashboard shows "0 remaining" | Wait for reset or upgrade | | Form paused | Form shows "Paused" in dashboard | Click "Resume" button | | No field mapping | Setup incomplete message | Complete field mapping setup | | Trial expired | "Trial Expired" banner visible | Upgrade to continue |

Detailed Fix Steps

Step 1: Verify Connection

  • Go to View Usage & Settings
  • Ensure "Connected" status shows
  • If disconnected, reconnect to Google Contacts

Step 2: Check Field Mappings

  • Open Setup Field Mapping
  • Verify at least one field is mapped
  • Ensure email or name field is included
  • Click "Save & Activate"

Step 3: Test with New Submission

  • Submit a test form response
  • Wait 10 seconds
  • Check Google Contacts for new entry
  • Review dashboard for errors

Connection Problems

Problem: Can't connect to Google Contacts

Symptoms:

  • "Connect" button doesn't work
  • Authorization popup closes immediately
  • Connection fails with error

Solutions by Browser:

| Browser Issue | Solution | |---------------|----------| | Popup blocked | Allow popups from forms.google.com | | Cookies disabled | Enable third-party cookies temporarily | | Extensions interfering | Try incognito/private mode | | Cache issues | Clear browser cache and cookies |

Authorization Errors

"Access Denied" Error:

  1. Check you're using correct Google account
  2. Ensure account has Contacts access
  3. Sign out and back in to Google
  4. Try different browser

"Permissions Insufficient" Error:

  1. Your organization may restrict add-ons
  2. Contact IT administrator
  3. Request Form2Contacts approval
  4. Check Workspace admin settings

Field Mapping Issues

Problem: Fields not mapping correctly

Common Scenarios:

| Issue | Cause | Fix | |-------|-------|-----| | Wrong data in contact | Incorrect mapping | Adjust field mappings | | Missing information | Field not mapped | Add field to mapping | | Jumbled text | Multiple choice confusion | Map to notes instead | | Cut off text | Field too long | Use shorter responses |

How to Fix Mappings

  1. Review Current Mappings:

    • Open Setup Field Mapping
    • Check each dropdown selection
    • Note which fields are skipped

  2. Adjust Problematic Fields:

    • Change dropdown selections
    • Skip complex fields
    • Map long text to notes

  3. Save and Test:

    • Click "Save & Activate"
    • Submit test response
    • Verify correct mapping

Duplicate Contacts

Problem: Same person appearing multiple times

Why This Happens:

  • Form allows editing responses
  • Person submits multiple times
  • No duplicate detection in place

Prevention Methods:

| Setting | Where to Change | Effect | |---------|-----------------|--------| | Limit to 1 response | Form Settings → Responses | Prevents resubmission | | Collect email | Form Settings → Collect email | Identifies unique users | | Edit after submit OFF | Form Settings → Edit after submit | Stops duplicate edits |

Cleaning Up Duplicates:

  1. Open Google Contacts
  2. Click "Merge & fix"
  3. Review suggestions
  4. Merge duplicates manually

Quota and Limit Messages

Problem: "Daily limit reached" error

Understanding Your Limits:

| Plan | Daily Limit | Reset Time | |------|-------------|------------| | Trial (7 days) | Unlimited | N/A | | Free | 3 per month | 1st of month | | Premium | Unlimited | N/A |

What to Do:

  • Check current usage in dashboard
  • Note reset time
  • Consider upgrading if regular issue
  • Spread form distribution if possible

Processing Delays

Problem: Contacts appear slowly or not at all

Normal vs Abnormal:

| Speed | Status | Action Needed | |-------|--------|---------------| | 1-2 seconds | Normal | None | | 5-10 seconds | Minor delay | Monitor | | 30+ seconds | Issue | Check status | | Not appearing | Problem | Troubleshoot |

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Check dashboard for errors
  2. Verify quota not exceeded
  3. Test with simple form
  4. Try during off-peak hours
  5. Contact support if persists

Group Problems

Problem: Contacts not appearing in groups

Check These Settings:

  1. Group selected in field mapping?
  2. Group exists in Google Contacts?
  3. Permissions to modify group?
  4. Group name spelled correctly?

Fix Process:

  1. Open Setup Field Mapping
  2. Check group dropdown selection
  3. Create new group if needed
  4. Save configuration
  5. Test with new submission

Form Not Listed

Problem: Can't find form in Form2Contacts

Possible Causes:

  • Wrong form open
  • Not form owner/editor
  • Form in different account
  • Add-on not installed on form

Solution:

  1. Open the specific form
  2. Check you have edit access
  3. Install Form2Contacts if needed
  4. Refresh browser
  5. Try Extensions menu again

Error Messages

Common Error Messages Explained

| Error | Meaning | Solution | |-------|---------|----------| | "Not authorized" | Lost connection | Reconnect to Contacts | | "Invalid field mapping" | Configuration error | Redo field mapping | | "Form not found" | Form deleted/moved | Reinstall on form | | "API limit exceeded" | Too many operations | Wait and retry | | "Network error" | Connection issue | Check internet connection |

Performance Issues

Problem: Everything running slowly

Quick Optimizations:

| Area | Check | Fix | |------|-------|-----| | Form size | Over 50 questions? | Reduce to essentials | | Field mappings | Mapping all fields? | Map only important ones | | Browser | Old version? | Update browser | | Extensions | Many installed? | Disable temporarily | | Network | Slow connection? | Try different network |

Access and Permissions

Problem: Team members can't use Form2Contacts

For Team Access:

  • Each user must install individually
  • Admin can deploy to organization
  • Users need form edit permissions
  • Contacts access required per user

Organization Setup:

  1. Admin installs from Marketplace
  2. Deploys to organizational unit
  3. Users see in Extensions menu
  4. Each user authorizes once

Data Not Syncing

Problem: Changes not appearing

Sync Delays:

| Change Type | Expected Time | If Delayed | |-------------|--------------|------------| | New contact | 1-2 seconds | Check quota | | Group update | Instant | Refresh Contacts | | Field update | 1-2 seconds | Check mapping | | Deletion | Not supported | Manual only |

Browser-Specific Issues

Chrome

  • Clear cache if issues persist
  • Disable ad blockers
  • Allow third-party cookies

Firefox

  • Enable popups for Google
  • Clear site data
  • Check tracking protection

Safari

  • Allow popups
  • Disable Prevent Cross-Site Tracking
  • Clear website data

Edge

  • Reset browser settings
  • Clear browsing data
  • Check compatibility mode

When Nothing Works

Last Resort Steps

  1. Complete Reset:

    • Uninstall Form2Contacts
    • Clear browser cache
    • Reinstall fresh
    • Reconfigure from scratch

  2. Alternative Browser:

    • Try Google Chrome
    • Use incognito mode
    • Different computer

  3. Contact Support:

    • Document error messages
    • Note when issue occurs
    • Include form details
    • Email [email protected]

Prevention Tips

Avoid Future Issues

Regular Maintenance:

  • Check dashboard weekly
  • Monitor quota usage
  • Review error logs
  • Update browser regularly

Best Practices:

  • Keep forms simple
  • Map essential fields only
  • Test after changes
  • Archive old contacts

Stay Informed:

  • Read update notifications
  • Check documentation
  • Join user community
  • Report persistent issues
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