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The "Invalid area" error message

Possible causes and solutions to timestamping failure

Fulvia Chesi avatar
Written by Fulvia Chesi
Updated over a year ago

"Invalid area" error message

If you try to record a certified timestamp via smartphone but get the error message "Invalid area", this means the location detected by your smartphone is not close enough to the area within which you are allowed to work. Fluida then displays the message "It seems like you are not inside a valid timestamp area", and prompt you to either force the system to accept the timestamp or try to record one again.

Before reattempting to record the timestamp, we suggest you check the possible cause of the error, and its solution, by using the table below.

Possible causes and solutions to timestamping failure

Message

Explanation

Possible causes

Possible solutions

Enable geolocation in your phone settings

Fluida is unable to locate the smartphone because it does not have access to GPS (or location services).

The message is only visible if your on-site timestamping modality is "Smartphone" and/or your remote timestamping modality is "Only Enabled Areas (GPS)".

  • GPS is not active.

  • Fluida does not have access to GPS.

Check your smartphone settings:

  • GPS/tracking services are active.

  • Fluida has access to GPS.

⚠️ GPS must be active even if timestamps are certified via Bluetooth with a Fluida Beacon or Fluida Station.

The GPS signal is weak.
Please verify your location on the map

Geolocation is active but the accuracy with which the location is being detected by the smartphone is too low (> 100 m) to certify the timestamp.

The message is only shown if your on-site timestamping modality is "Smartphone" and/or your remote timestamping modality is "Only Enabled Areas (GPS)".

Something is preventing your smartphone from receiving a GPS signal, making the localization less accurate. For example, it happens when you try to record a timestamp:

  • from a building's basement.

  • in a building situated in a dense urban environment, surrounded by other tall buildings.

  • in a building with particularly thick walls.

  • from a location where GPS reception is obstructed by buildings, trees, power lines or other objects.

Check the location accuracy with a map application such as Google Maps.

If the location is not accurate:

Open a map app and wait for the accuracy to increase before recording another timestamp.

If no one is able to record timestamps, purchasing a Fluida Beacon could solve the issue. If you are the only one experiencing the problem, read the Check your smartphone settings section, found below.

Enable your Bluetooth

Fluida cannot search for timestamping devices through a smartphone.

The message is only shown if you have selected "Smartphone" as your on-site timestamping modality.

  • Bluetooth is not enabled.

  • Fluida does not have access to Bluetooth.

Check your smartphone settings:

  • Bluetooth is enabled.

  • Fluida has access to Bluetooth.

Your Bluetooth signal is active but it couldn't find any timestamp device

Fluida searched for timestamping devices such as the Fluida Beacon or Fluida Station using Bluetooth, but found no devices associated with a location where you can record a timestamp.

The message is only shown if you have selected "Smartphone" as your on-site timestamping modality.

  • The timestamping device used to certify timestamps via smartphone is turned off, disabled, or otherwise not configured correctly (e. g., has not been associated with the workplace).

  • The smartphone used to record the timestamp is too far from the timestamping device.

  • You are not allowed to record a timestamp from the workplace to which the timestamping device is associated.

  • Verify that the timestamping device is turned on and properly configured.

  • Get closer to the timestamping device.

  • Verify that the location from which you are trying to record a timestamp is among those you are authorised to record a timestamp from.

  • If you are using a Fluida Beacon, make sure the battery is not discharged (it lasts about 18 months and can be replaced with any CR2477 battery).

Please ask an administrator to check your user settings

Your device settings seem correct, but the app is still unable to certify your proximity to a timestamping area within which you are authorized to record a timestamp.

Your Fluida settings, or those of the workplace you wish to record a timestamp from, may not be properly configured.

You can request the owner, your manager, or the colleague who is responsible for setting up Fluida for your company, to verify your timestamping settings.

Check the following settings:

  • The timestamping settings of the workplace from which timestamps are failing.

  • Your timestamping settings.

Check your smartphone settings

Activate location services

Android and iOS operating systems have privacy settings that can be configured for individual apps: for Fluida to function, it must be granted the necessary authorizations, such as accessing a device's location while using the app.

  • If you have an Apple iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Location, check that location services are enabled and that the Fluida app is authorized to access the device's location "While using the app".

  • If you are using a smartphone with the Android operating system, go to the Settings menu, find the item Permissions > Location for the Fluida app, and verify that the app is authorized to use your device's location "Only when using the app".

If you record a certified timestamp using GPS

  • Make sure you authorized Fluida to access to your exact location. To do so:

    • If you have an Apple iPhone, activate the option "Exact location". More information is available at support.apple.com.

    • If you have a smartphone with the Android operating system, enable the option "Use exact location". More information is available at support.google.com or on your smartphone manufacturer's website.

  • Enabling Wi-Fi can help improve theaccuracy and speed of detection of your position.

  • Open any navigation app (such as Apple's Maps or Google Maps), wait for the app to locate you, then try recording a timestamp again: by leaving one of these apps open and waiting for the location they detect to be accurate before recording a timestamp with Fluida can help.

If you record a certified timestamp using Bluetooth

Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled, and that Fluida has access to Bluetooth.


When and how to record a forced timestamp

If you have checked the points above but are still unable to record a timestamp certified via Bluetooth or GPS, you can record a forced stamp.

To do so:

  1. Click the Force button.

  2. Fill in the fields required for stamping (you cannot change the time, and you must include a note explaining why you are not timestamping using the assigned modality).

  3. Select Insert the timestamp anyway to confirm.

The stamping has been added to your calendar. Your designated approver will be notified and will have to approve or reject the timestamp. You will be notified about the outcome of this decision.

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