At Connecteam, we know that timesheets need to be accurate and precise. The time clock feature is a simple-to-use solution for both users and administrators to get real and exact times with a click of a button. We also understand that sometimes users can experience difficulties when clocking in due to time clock settings, mobile GPS settings, or other reasons.

In this article, you will find the most common reasons that prevent users from clocking in. If a user reports that he can't clock in, you can easily go through all the solutions this article offers, to understand what is causing the user to not be able to clock in and troubleshoot the issue.

Pro tip: We always recommend understanding first from the user what error message he is receiving when trying to clock in. It will help you to identify the issue.

Here are the potential reasons users can't clock in:

Not Assigned - The user can't see the time clock feature.

Qualification - The user can't see the job he needs to clock into.

GPS Location - Geo location and Geo-fence settings are configured.

Limitations - A user clocks in not within the time clock's limitations.

Now let's elaborate on all the possible reasons:

Not Assigned

If the users can't see the time clock feature in their mobile upper toolbar, that means they are not assigned to the time clock. In order to edit the time clock's assignments, access the time clock and navigate to the 'More' button. Select the edit assignments and choose the specific smart group needed.

GIF of editing assignment for a time clock on Connecteam's admin dashboard

To learn more about the time clock edit assignments have a look at this article.

Pro tip: If you checked your time clock is assigned to specific smart groups and your user still can't see the time clock, then you may need to add them to the relevant smart group. Check out this article on smart groups to learn more.

Qualification

If a user reports that when clocking in, he doesn't see the job he needs to clock into on the job list, this likely indicates that the user is not qualified for that job.

As an administrator, you will need to give him a job qualification. To make the qualification, simply access the time clock, navigate to the settings and select the jobs tab. Then, access the relevant job and click on the job's settings. Make sure the user is checked in the qualified list or part of the chosen relevant smart group. You can learn more about it here.

GPS Location

If you have set the Geo-fence capability to make sure users clock into the job within a specific fence site, and users claim they can't clock in, there can be several reasons for that:

If the user gets a pop-up saying No Jobs Found that could be due to two reasons. First, the user is not qualified for any job. You'll need to make sure he's qualified for at least one job. Second, The user is not on the geo-fence. As an admin you need to check the geo-fence is associated with a job the user is qualified for. Go to the time clock's settings, directly select the geo-fence, and under the available jobs choose the job the user is qualified for.

Screenshot of no jobs found in the Time Clock feature on Connecteam's mobile app

Another reason why the user can't clock in is that he must enable his location in his mobile app settings. All he will have to do is simply go to the mobile settings, access the Connecteam app and allow the location to be set as Always. It is important to emphasize that the location will never be shared when you are off the clock.

GIF of turning location on to clock into a job in the Time Clock on Connecteam's mobile app

If he's physically on-site but still can't clock in, it's important to know the user's GPS accuracy is not always perfectly accurate and may differ due to connectivity, location, mobile device, etc.
In order to ensure location within the fenced area, the user should simply move further into the fenced area so that on the map, the entire blue dot is in the green fenced area. Then, the user will be able to clock in or out.

In addition, we highly recommend in this case increasing the geofence size from the time clock settings. Simply access the time clock, navigate to the settings, select the Geo Location tab, go to the specific geo-fence and increase the fence size.

GIF of increasing fence size in the Time Clock on Connecteam's admin dashboardi

Limitations

If the users report they can't clock into the time clock, it is possible you enabled the Limitations capability. There are three reasons related to an activated time clock that prevent users to clock in:

It is possible that the limitation of Users can clock in up to certain minutes before their assigned shift starts are enabled. So if users try to clock into the shift before this time, they will not be able to. From the user perspective it will appear as follows:

Screenshot of clock in limitation in the Time Clock feature on Connecteam's admin dashboard

It might be the Custom limit by days is activated, meaning there is a set daily boundary that clocking in is available only from a certain hour. So users who try to clock in prior to the daily designated hours can’t clock in. From the user’s mobile app it will be displayed as:

Screenshot of user unable to clock in due to daily limit in the Time Clock feature on Connecteam's admin dashboard

If the limitation option of users to only clock within their schedule shifts is on, when accessing the time clock, users will now be directed to their schedule. They will have to clock in from their shift. From the user perspective it will appear as follows:

General

In addition to all of that, we also suggest trying basic troubleshooting steps. For example, make sure the user's application is updated. Here is a guide explaining how to update the app version. Another step can be trying to reset the app by exiting it or by uninstalling and reinstalling the app.

In conclusion, if users can't clock in, there are several ways you can quickly and efficiently resolve the issue yourself and get back to managing your team seamlessly.

If you've tried all of the troubleshooting steps we've suggested here but need more guidance? 🙋 Our LIVE support team (at the bottom right corner of your screen) replies in under 5 mins to ANY question.