Fix: Stripe webhook not triggering error

The ‘Stripe webhook not triggering’ error occurs when Stripe cannot successfully send webhook events to your endpoint due to configuration, network, or implementation issues.

How the Error Happens

❌ Error Scenario:

// ❌ This won't trigger webhooks properly
app.post('/stripe-webhook', (req, res) => {
  // ❌ Missing express.raw() - body will be parsed incorrectly
  console.log(req.body); // ❌ Will be empty or malformed
  res.status(200).send('OK'); // ❌ Stripe may retry due to parsing issues
});

✅ Quick Fix - Proper Webhook Configuration

Solution 1: Correct Body Parsing

// ✅ Proper body parsing for Stripe webhooks
const express = require('express');
const stripe = require('stripe')('sk_test_...');

const app = express();

// ✅ Use express.raw() for Stripe webhooks
app.post('/webhook', express.raw({type: 'application/json'}), (req, res) => {
  const sig = req.headers['stripe-signature'];
  const endpointSecret = 'whsec_...'; // ✅ Your webhook signing secret

  let event;

  try {
    // ✅ Verify signature and construct event
    event = stripe.webhooks.constructEvent(req.body, sig, endpointSecret);
  } catch (err) {
    console.log(`Webhook signature verification failed: ${err.message}`);
    return res.status(400).send(`Webhook Error: ${err.message}`);
  }

  // ✅ Process the event
  switch (event.type) {
    case 'payment_intent.succeeded':
      const paymentIntent = event.data.object;
      console.log('Payment succeeded!', paymentIntent.id);
      break;
    case 'customer.subscription.created':
      const subscription = event.data.object;
      console.log('Subscription created!', subscription.id);
      break;
    default:
      console.log(`Unhandled event type ${event.type}`);
  }

  // ✅ Return 200 to acknowledge receipt
  res.status(200).send('OK');
});

Solution 2: HTTPS and Public Endpoint

// ✅ Ensure your endpoint is accessible via HTTPS
// For development, use ngrok:
// ngrok http 3000
// Then use the HTTPS URL: https://xxxx-xx-xxx-xxx-xx.ngrok.io/webhook

const app = express();
app.use(express.raw({type: 'application/json'}));

app.post('/webhook', (req, res) => {
  // ✅ Process webhook event
  const sig = req.headers['stripe-signature'];
  const endpointSecret = process.env.STRIPE_WEBHOOK_SECRET;

  try {
    const event = stripe.webhooks.constructEvent(req.body, sig, endpointSecret);
    
    // ✅ Handle event
    handleStripeEvent(event);
    
    // ✅ Always respond with 200
    res.status(200).send('OK');
  } catch (err) {
    console.error('Webhook error:', err.message);
    res.status(400).send(`Webhook Error: ${err.message}`);
  }
});

function handleStripeEvent(event) {
  // ✅ Process different event types
  console.log(`Processing event: ${event.type}`);
}

Solution 3: Stripe Dashboard Configuration

// ✅ Example webhook endpoint registration
// In your deployment script or setup:
const stripe = require('stripe')(process.env.STRIPE_SECRET_KEY);

// ✅ Create webhook endpoint in Stripe (one-time setup)
async function createWebhookEndpoint() {
  try {
    const webhookEndpoint = await stripe.webhooks.create({
      url: 'https://yourdomain.com/webhook', // ✅ HTTPS URL
      enabled_events: [
        'payment_intent.succeeded',
        'payment_intent.payment_failed',
        'customer.subscription.created',
        'customer.subscription.deleted'
      ],
      api_version: '2023-10-16', // ✅ Use latest API version
    });
    
    console.log('Webhook endpoint created:', webhookEndpoint.id);
    // ✅ Save webhookEndpoint.secret to environment variables
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error creating webhook endpoint:', error);
  }
}

Solution 4: Testing and Debugging

// ✅ Stripe CLI for local testing
// Install: stripe login
// Listen: stripe listen --forward-to localhost:3000/webhook

// ✅ Add logging for debugging
app.post('/webhook', express.raw({type: 'application/json'}), (req, res) => {
  console.log('Webhook received:', {
    headers: req.headers,
    bodyLength: req.body.length,
    signature: req.headers['stripe-signature']
  });

  const sig = req.headers['stripe-signature'];
  const endpointSecret = process.env.STRIPE_WEBHOOK_SECRET;

  try {
    const event = stripe.webhooks.constructEvent(req.body, sig, endpointSecret);
    console.log('Webhook verified successfully:', event.type);
    
    // ✅ Process event
    handleStripeEvent(event);
    
    res.status(200).send('OK');
  } catch (err) {
    console.error('Webhook verification failed:', err.message);
    res.status(400).send(`Webhook Error: ${err.message}`);
  }
});