A guest can't open the RSVP page

If a guest can't open your invitation link or can't submit a response, it's almost always one of a few expected states rather than a broken page. Each one shows the guest a specific message, so the quickest way to help is to ask what they see, then match it below.

Symptoms

• A guest sees This invitation isn't live yet.
• A guest is asked for a password.
• A guest sees Invitation not found.
• A guest is told the event is full.
• A guest sees that responses are closed (a canceled or past event).
• A guest who already replied wants to change their answer.

Most likely causes

• The event hasn't been sent yet. A draft invitation's link isn't live for guests — the page shows This invitation isn't live yet until you send. Only you and any co-hosts (signed in) can preview it before then.
• The event is password-protected. If you set a password, every guest sees a lock screen and must enter the password you shared before the invitation opens.
• The link was mistyped or is incomplete. A broken or altered link shows Invitation not found — "this link may have expired or been mistyped."
• The event is at capacity. If you set a guest limit and it's reached, a new guest sees a "the list is full" screen where they can register interest instead of confirming.
• The event was canceled. A canceled event still opens so guests can see the details, but responding is closed — they'll see "This event has been canceled — responses are closed."
• The event has already happened. From the day after the event, responses close and guests see "This event has wrapped — responses are closed." The invitation and photo album stay viewable.
• The guest already responded. Once someone replies, their response is saved; returning to their own link lets them update it rather than start over.

Resolution steps

1. Make sure the event is sent. If guests see isn't live yet, open your event and complete the send. See How email and text message invitations are sent.
2. Share the password exactly. For a password-protected event, send guests the exact password. It's case-sensitive, so ask them to enter it precisely as you set it — matching capitals, with no extra space before or after. If it's wrong they'll see "That password didn't match. Try again." and can retry. Once in, they stay unlocked on that device for about a week. See Password-protecting your event.
3. Resend the correct link. If a guest hit Invitation not found, resend from the Guests tab or copy the RSVP link and send it yourself so there's no typo.
4. Check your capacity if the event shows full. If you have room, raise or turn off the guest limit in your event settings and the RSVP form reopens. Guests who registered interest are recorded so you can welcome them back in. See Max capacity and waitlist.
5. Point returning guests to their own link. To change an answer, a guest should reopen the same link on the device they responded from, where they can edit their reply. If they can't, see A guest can't change their RSVP.

Is it canceled or just closed?

If responses are closed, check the event's status on your side. A canceled event was called off — that's intentional and responses stay closed. A past event has simply wrapped. Neither is a bug; the invitation stays readable so guests keep the details, but new or changed replies are off.

If the issue continues

If the link still won't open with the event sent and the correct address in hand, ask the guest to try a different browser or device, or forward them the RSVP link directly. If it still fails, contact us at info@invitebird.com with your event and we'll investigate.

Common questions

My guest sees "This invitation isn't live yet" but I already finished designing it. Designing isn't the same as sending. The link goes live for guests only after you complete the send (which is also when payment happens). Open the event and send it.

A guest insists the password is right but it won't unlock. It's case-sensitive and space-sensitive. Ask them to type it exactly — matching capital letters and with no trailing space (copy-paste often adds one). You can view the exact password in your dashboard to confirm.

The page says the event is full — can that guest still come? They can register interest from the full screen, and if you raise your guest limit the form reopens for them. See Max capacity and waitlist.

Why can a guest see the invitation but not RSVP? That's the canceled or past state — the invitation stays viewable for the details, but responding is closed. If the event is actually still ahead, check that its date is set correctly.

A guest opened the link and it says "Invitation not found." The link was likely mistyped or truncated when it was forwarded. Copy the RSVP link fresh from your event and send it to them directly.

Related articles

• Password-protecting your event
• A guest can't change their RSVP
• Max capacity and waitlist