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Why can't my recipient open the link?

A blocked visitor almost always means one of these five things — check them in order.

1

Check the link hasn't expired or hit its view limit

If you set an Expiry Date or Max Views, the link stops working the moment either is reached — the file itself isn't deleted, just that link. See Expiry & View Limits.

2

Check their email is on the allowed list

If Allow Specified Users (Whitelist) is on, only the exact email addresses you added can get in — everyone else is blocked outright, no code sent. See Allowed Emails.

3

Check they have the right password

With Password Protection on, a wrong password just re-shows the lock screen with an error — it doesn't lock them out permanently. Re-send the password through a different channel than the link itself.

4

Check they haven't missed the verification email

With Require Email to View or the whitelist gate on, we email a 6-digit code — it can land in spam, and it expires after a short time. Ask them to check spam, or request a new code.

5

Check the NDA wasn't left unsigned

With the NDA / Agreement Gate on, the document stays hidden until they check the agreement box and click through — there's no way to skip it.

Good to know

  • None of these gates fail silently on your side — if you're unsure which one is active, open the link's settings and check the Access Control card.
  • A link can combine several of these at once (e.g. Allowed Emails + NDA) — the recipient has to clear every gate you turned on, in order.
  • If none of this explains it, the link may simply have been deleted, or the document it points to was removed — check Viewing and Searching Your Links.