---
title: "e-Invoice shows Failed, has no IRN, or cannot be cancelled"
space: "ERPNext"
url: "https://docs.frappe.io/erpnext/e-invoice-failed-or-cancel"
updated: "2026-10-21"
---

After you submit a Sales Invoice, India Compliance generates the e-invoice and stores the IRN and QR code
on it. This page covers what to do when the **e-Invoice Status** says Failed, when the IRN is missing, and
when an e-invoice cannot be cancelled or changed.

## The messages

```
e-Invoice can only be cancelled upto 24 hours after it is generated
```

Other signs of the same problems: **e-Invoice Status** = Failed or Pending, no IRN or QR code on the
printed invoice, or the GST portal shows an e-invoice that ERPNext does not.

## How it works

When an e-invoice is generated, the government portal returns an **IRN** (Invoice Reference Number) and a
signed QR code. India Compliance saves them on the Sales Invoice and in an **e-Invoice Log**, and sets
**e-Invoice Status** to Generated.

The government allows you to cancel an e-invoice only within 24 hours of generating it, and an e-invoice can
never be edited. After that, corrections go through a credit or debit note.

## e-Invoice Status is Failed, or there is no IRN

1. Open the Sales Invoice and read the error in the e-invoice section or the **e-Invoice Log**.
2. If it is a credentials or API error, see [GST API errors](/erpnext/gst-api-credentials-and-credits).
3. If it is a data error (GSTIN, PIN code, HSN code, address), correct the master data, then use
   **e-Invoice → Generate** on the invoice to try again.
4. If the portal says the IRN already exists (duplicate IRN), the e-invoice was created on an earlier try
   that ERPNext did not record. Use **e-Invoice → Generate** again. India Compliance fetches the existing
   e-invoice and links it, if its buyer GSTIN and invoice amount match this invoice. With **Fetch
   e-Invoice details from GST Portal** on in **GST Settings → General**, it also looks on the GST Portal
   when the e-invoice portal does not return the details.
5. If the error is `e-Invoice cannot be generated because the posting date exceeds the reporting time
   limit of … days as specified in GST Settings`, the invoice is older than the government's reporting
   limit set in **e-Invoice Reporting Time Limit (in Days)**. The e-invoice can no longer be generated for
   it. Issue a new invoice with today's date, or check the limit with your tax adviser.

Older versions set the status to Failed when someone generated an e-invoice a second time from the Sales
Invoice list. This was fixed in India Compliance 15.25.5. Update the app if your version is older.

![](/files/e-invoice-actions.png)

## The e-invoice was made directly on the government portal

If you generated or cancelled the e-invoice on the portal instead of from ERPNext, record it on the invoice:

- Generated on the portal: **e-Invoice → Mark as Generated**, and enter the IRN, acknowledgement number
  and date.
- Cancelled on the portal: **e-Invoice → Mark as Cancelled**, and enter the cancellation details.

## Cancel an e-invoice

Within 24 hours of generating it:

1. Open the Sales Invoice and click **Cancel**.
2. Choose to cancel the IRN with the invoice. With **Automatically Cancel e-Invoice on Invoice
   Cancellation** on in GST Settings, this happens without asking.

After 24 hours, the portal will not cancel the e-invoice:

- To correct the invoice, issue a **credit note** against it, and a new invoice with the right details.
- If the Sales Invoice must be cancelled in ERPNext anyway (for example it was deleted on the portal), turn
  off **Restrict Cancellation if e-Invoice not Cancellable** in **GST Settings → General**, cancel the
  invoice, and then turn it back on.

An e-invoice cannot be amended. Cancel it and issue a new invoice, or use a credit note.

## The invoice has only nil-rated or exempted items

**Nil / Exempted / Non-GST Items in e-Invoice** in **GST Settings → General** decides what happens:
Do Not Generate, Generate with Other Charges, or Generate with Taxable Values. If an item shows as
Nil-Rated by mistake, check its **Item Tax Template** and GST details. See [Why is GST wrong or missing on
my invoice?](/erpnext/gst-wrong-on-invoice).

## Print the e-invoice with IRN and QR code

Print the Sales Invoice with the **e-Invoice** print format (or a custom format with the QR code). See
[e-Invoice QR code in print formats](https://docs.indiacompliance.app/docs/developer-guide/e_invoice_qr).

## Related

- [India GST, e-invoice and e-way bill: find your answer](/erpnext/india-gst-help)
- [Generating and cancelling an e-invoice](https://docs.indiacompliance.app/docs/ewaybill-and-einvoice/generating_e_invoice)
- [e-Invoice and e-Waybill FAQs](https://docs.indiacompliance.app/docs/ewaybill-and-einvoice/faqs)