> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.budgetbandit.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Fix bank sync

> Bank won't connect, balances are stale, or transactions are duplicated? Fix Budget Bandit bank sync problems here.

Bank sync runs through Plaid. Most sync problems fall into one of four buckets: a connection
that will not link, data that has gone stale, a bank that needs reconnecting, or duplicate
transactions. Work through the one that matches.

## A bank will not link

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The connection fails partway through">
    Plaid is connecting through your bank's own login. Close the window and try again — a fresh
    attempt clears most one-off failures. Make sure you are entering credentials for the bank's
    main online-banking login, not a card-only or rewards portal.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My bank asks for a code or extra verification">
    Some banks require multi-factor verification during linking. Complete the prompt in the Plaid
    window. If it times out, start the link again. See [Connect a bank](/accounts/connect-a-bank).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I can't find my bank in the list">
    Not every institution is supported. See [Supported banks](/accounts/supported-banks). If yours
    is not there, add the account manually and enter transactions or import a file from your bank.
    See [Manual accounts](/accounts/manual-accounts).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Balances or transactions are stale

If new transactions are not showing up, or a balance looks behind:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Give it time">
    Banks post transactions on their own schedule. Pending transactions can take a day or two to
    finalize before they sync reliably.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check the connection status">
    Open Settings, then Connections, to see whether the bank link is healthy or needs attention.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Reconnect if the bank needs it">
    If the connection shows an error or asks you to sign in again, reconnect it — see below.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Reconnect a bank

Banks periodically require you to sign in again to keep sharing data. When that happens, the
connection is flagged and sync pauses until you reauthorize.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Settings, then Connections">
    A flagged connection is marked as needing attention.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Reconnect the bank">
    You are sent back through your bank's login to re-grant access. Sync resumes once it succeeds.
  </Step>
</Steps>

See [Reconnect a bank](/accounts/reconnect-a-bank) for the full walkthrough.

## Duplicate transactions

If the same transaction shows up twice, it usually means a file import overlapped with synced
data, or a transfer was entered on both sides. See
[Duplicate or missing transactions](/accounts/duplicate-or-missing-transactions).

<Note>
  Pending versus posted matters here. A pending transaction can change amount or disappear before
  it posts. See [Pending vs posted](/accounts/pending-vs-posted).
</Note>

## Still stuck

If a connection keeps failing after reconnecting, reach us over
[in-app chat](/troubleshooting/contact-support).

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Reconnect a bank" icon="rotate" href="/accounts/reconnect-a-bank">
    Reauthorize a flagged connection.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Duplicate or missing transactions" icon="copy" href="/accounts/duplicate-or-missing-transactions">
    Clean up doubles and find missing rows.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>