Well, I've never grown papaya but I found a very good web page about how to grow it (link below). According to that web page, the papaya can be a finicky plant; easy to grow, but not necessarily so easy to keep alive.

Seems the most common problem is root rot, due of course to the soil being too wet. Also, they apparently require lots of fertilizer.

Is it possible that you're just keeping the soil a little too wet? Or, maybe just not giving them enough fertilizer?

Art

Here is a link that might be useful: Papaya Growing

I was reading through rarexoticseeds.com carica papaya seed propagation yesterday just after I posted.
They recommended planting the seed under 1" manure, not sure if they mean old or fresh.
I'll give it a try.
I have tried keeping them dryish, no success.

Any signs of damp-off, soil fungus, or fungus gnats?

Dave

can't see soil fungus, or fungus gnats..........I have always suspected it was damp-off, looks like it, but can't get any of the remedies to fix it.

If it is damp-off then you are over-watering even if you don't think so. It is the most common problem in seedling germination. Damp-off is caused by excess moisture and inadequate air circulation. Cut back on the water and set-up a fan.

Dave

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