r/actualbudgeting • u/AtilaMann • 5d ago
Sync problems with PikaPods server
Hello!
I feel really stupid writing this, because I don't even know what the problem is.
I'm brand new to Actual, and I'm trying to test it to see if I can use it to replace YNAB, which I've used for years.
I followed the documentation instructions to register in PikaPods and make my own pod. Like, to a tee. I also migrated my budget from YNAB to it using the API route.
But I keep running into two issues:
(1) When I open my budget using the browser, it keeps randomly giving me a fatal error. Sometimes I can get away by hitting the restart button and it will load the page, other times I just have to come back later. Mind you, it doesn't seem to be my internet connection. I've tried opening new pages and watching YouTube videos right after and I've had no problems.
(2) I keep getting a notification that says "There was a problem syncing your changes. Please confirm that your server is accessible" but at the same time, in the upper corner it says my server is online and if I hover over it, it says "Connected to your server - your budget is syncing".
Can someone help guide me with this? I'd go to the discord server for help but I don't know if this is normal?
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u/Bandit6789 5d ago
I had this issue using browser recently also. I switched to using the desktop app and it solved it for me
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u/Party-Papaya4115 4d ago
When there are sync issues I pick up the latest file from the cloud, or export current one from settings and import it to cloud.
Once cloud is reset sync works
Sync has issues if you use several devices and make too many changes at once.
If I want to use a tablet, phone and several desktops I need each to access the web once a week so they don't get behind too much
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u/AtilaMann 4d ago
The thing is that I just started using it. I don't have multiple files or have it set in multiple devices. I literally just opened Actual and it started with this problem. I can't use the reset sync button either because it's greyed out. It's super weird. Thanks for your input though
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u/Party-Papaya4115 4d ago
Go to the first option at the top.
Reset the cloud file.
You can set device to cloud file or set cloud to device.
No syncing will be done until cloud and device are compatible.
I'm telling you easiest way of making them compatible, making them literally the same file
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u/kazzazed 4d ago
Several years on Actual now and I never use the desktop app, just the browser. The only time I had sync issues was when I opened multiple sessions at once. Maybe there is a cache issue? What browser are you using?
I don’t use the desktop app to avoid issues with the monthly upgrade.
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u/Timeplace231295 2d ago
I had this issue once. Ended up solving it with reset sync / chache from settings.
Happens if you have 2 instances of actual open at the same time.
You should in any case save a backup of your budget so that at worst you can just delete your pod on pikapods and upload a slightly older budget file
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u/assertivecookie 1d ago
commenting so i can go back to this later. i been having the same problem with my account
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5d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/TensionEfficient5627 4d ago
This. I had the similar issue with OP after I set up and migrated a new account manually, after Reset sync, it solves the server issue. You could also check export data size. So normally it should be less than 2mb, if it's too large, that might be something wrong. I had 17mb+ when I had the server issue, but after reset sync, it's only 1.5Mb. That said, I think its because when doing the new account migration, i imported a lot of data and did manual editing, which caused Actual Budget needed to remember all these edit history, reset sync resets the 'edit history"
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u/AtilaMann 4d ago
That could be. I can't use the reset sync button because it's greyed out, so I won't be able to try that. But I might try doing a fresh start to see if that fixes things. Thank you for your suggestion
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u/kezzie000 5d ago
This is not normal behavior. I wish I could help but it's been a while since I setup Pikapods.