This table explains credit card payment decline codes and provides suggested next steps to resolve common issues.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
| Decline code | Description | Next steps |
|---|---|---|
| A | back to top | |
| authentication_required | The card was declined because the transaction requires authentication, such as 3D Secure. | In most cases a soft decline from an issuer triggers an authentication flow, allowing the buyer to try again and authenticate their card. In some cases, such as off-session payments, you might need to request the buyer to retry. If the card issuer returns this decline code despite a successfully authenticated transaction, the buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| approve_with_id | The payment can’t be authorized. | Attempt the payment again. If you still can’t process it, the buyer needs to contact their card issuer. |
| C | back to top | |
| call_issuer | The card was declined for an unknown reason. | The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| card_not_supported | The card does not support this type of purchase. | The buyer needs to contact their card issuer to make sure their card can be used to make this type of purchase. |
| card_velocity_exceeded | The buyer has exceeded the balance, credit limit, or transaction amount limit available on their card. | The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| currency_not_supported | The card does not support the specified currency. | The buyer needs to check with the issuer whether the card can be used for the type of currency specified. |
| D | back to top | |
| do_not_honor | The card was declined for an unknown reason. | The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| do_not_try_again | The card was declined for an unknown reason. | The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| duplicate_transaction | A transaction with identical amount and credit card information was submitted very recently. | Check if a recent payment already exists. |
| E | back to top | |
| expired_card | The card expired. | The buyer needs to use an alternative payment method. |
| F | back to top | |
| fraudulent | The card may be fraudulent. | Don't report the specific reason for the decline to the buyer. Present the issue in the same manner as a generic_decline: The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| G | back to top | |
| generic_decline | The card was declined for an unknown reason. | The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| I | back to top | |
| incorrect_number | The card number is incorrect. | The buyer needs to try again using the correct card number. |
| incorrect_cvc | The CVC number is incorrect. | The buyer needs to try again using the correct CVC. |
| incorrect_pin | The PIN number is incorrect. | The buyer needs to try again using the correct PIN. |
| incorrect_zip | The postal code is incorrect. | The buyer needs to try again using the correct billing postal code. |
| insufficient_funds | The card has insufficient funds to complete the purchase. | The buyer needs to use an alternative payment method. |
| invalid_account | The card, or account the card is connected to, is invalid. | The buyer needs to contact their card issuer to check that the card is working correctly. |
| invalid_amount | The payment amount is invalid, or exceeds the amount that’s allowed. | If the amount appears to be correct, the buyer needs to check with their card issuer that they can make purchases of that amount. |
| invalid_cvc | The CVC number is incorrect. | The buyer needs to try again using the correct CVC. |
| invalid_expiry_month | The expiration month is invalid. | The buyer needs to try again using the correct expiration date. |
| invalid_expiry_year | The expiration year is invalid. | The buyer needs try again using the correct expiration date. |
| invalid_number | The card number is incorrect. | The buyer needs try again using the correct card number. |
| invalid_pin | The PIN entered is incorrect. | The buyer needs to try again using the correct PIN. |
| issuer_not_available | The card issuer couldn’t be reached, so the payment couldn’t be authorized. | Attempt the payment again. If you still can’t process it, the buyer needs to contact their card issuer. |
| L | back to top | |
| lost_card | The payment was declined because the card is reported lost. | The specific reason for the decline shouldn’t be reported to the buyer. Present the issue in the same manner as a generic_decline: The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| M | back to top | |
| merchant_blacklist | The payment was declined because it matches a value on the processor's block list. | Don't report the specific reason for the decline to the buyer. Present the issue in the same manner as a generic_decline: The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| N | back to top | |
| new_account_information_available | The card, or account the card is connected to, is invalid. | The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| no_action_taken | The card was declined for an unknown reason. | The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| not_permitted | The payment isn’t permitted. | The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| O | back to top | |
| offline_pin_required | The card was declined because it requires a PIN. | The buyer needs to try again by inserting their card and entering a PIN. |
| online_or_offline_pin_required | The card was declined as it requires a PIN. | If the card reader supports Online PIN, prompt the buyer for a PIN without creating a new transaction. If the card reader doesn’t support Online PIN, the buyer needs to try again by inserting their card and entering a PIN. |
| P | back to top | |
| pickup_card | The buyer can’t use this card to make this payment (it’s possible it was reported lost or stolen). | Don't report the specific reason for the decline to the buyer. Present the issue in the same manner as a generic_decline: The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| pin_try_exceeded | The allowable number of PIN tries was exceeded. | The buyer needs to use an alternative payment method. |
| processing_error | An error occurred while processing the card. | The payment needs to be attempted again. If it still can’t be processed, try again later. |
| R | back to top | |
| reenter_transaction | The payment couldn’t be processed by the issuer for an unknown reason. | The payment needs to be attempted again. If it still can’t be processed, the buyer needs to contact their card issuer. |
| restricted_card | The buyer can’t use this card to make this payment (it’s possible it was reported lost or stolen). | Don't report the specific reason for the decline to the buyer. Present the issue in the same manner as a generic_decline: The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| revocation_of_all_authorizations | The card was declined for an unknown reason. | The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| revocation_of_authorization | The card was declined for an unknown reason. | The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| S | back to top | |
| security_violation | The card was declined for an unknown reason. | The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| stolen_card | The payment was declined because the card is reported stolen. | Don't report the specific reason for the decline to the buyer. Present the issue in the same manner as a generic_decline: The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| stop_payment_order | The card was declined for an unknown reason. | The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| T | back to top | |
| testmode_decline | A test card number was used. | A genuine card must be used to make a payment. |
| transaction_not_allowed | The card was declined for an unknown reason. | The buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| try_again_later | The card was declined for an unknown reason. | Ask the buyer to attempt the payment again. If subsequent payments are declined, the buyer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. |
| W | back to top | |
| withdrawal_count_limit_exceeded | The buyer has exceeded the balance or credit limit available on their card. | The buyer needs to use an alternative payment method. |