Declines
Card declines can be a frustrating aspect of processing payments, both for customers and merchants. They happen when a cardholder's bank or card issuer cannot authorize a transaction.
The table below outlines common reasons for card declines along with recommended resolutions.
FAILURE CODE | FAILURE MESSAGE | NEXT STEPS |
---|---|---|
account_closed | The account has been closed. | Resubmit the payment using an alternative card or payment method. |
authentication_required | The cardholder must authenticate this payment using 3D Secure before proceeding. | Contact Support for more information. |
avs_check_failed | The AVS check failed. | Update the address and resubmit the payment. If subsequent payments are declined, advise the customer to contact the card issuer for more information. |
call_issuer | The card was declined by the issuer for an unknown reason. | Advise the customer to contact the card issuer for more information. |
canceled | The payment was canceled. | Confirm whether the payment was meant to be canceled and proceed accordingly. |
card_not_supported | The card does not support this type of purchase. | Resubmit the payment using an alternative card or payment method. |
do_not_honor | The card was declined by the issuer for an unknown reason. | Advise the customer to contact the card issuer for more information. |
duplicate_transaction | A payment with identical amount and payment information was submitted very recently. | Confirm whether it’s a true duplicate and proceed accordingly. |
expired_card | The card has expired. | Resubmit the payment using an alternative card or payment method. |
format_error | There are one or more issues with data formatting. | Update the payment information and resubmit the payment. If subsequent payments are declined, contact Support for more information. |
fraudulent | The payment is suspected to be fraudulent. | Avoid providing the customer with specific details. Instead, advise the customer to contact their card issuer. |
generic_decline | The payment was declined for an unknown reason. | Resubmit the payment. If subsequent payments are declined, contact the card issuer for more information. |
incorrect_cvc | The CVV/CVC number is incorrect. | Resubmit the payment using the correct CVV/CVC. |
incorrect_pin | The PIN is incorrect. | Resubmit the payment using the correct PIN. |
insufficient_funds | The account has insufficient funds to complete the purchase. | Reach out to the account holder to address the issue and resubmit the payment once funds are available. |
invalid_account | The account is invalid. | Obtain new account information and resubmit the payment. |
invalid_address | The address is incorrect. | Resubmit the payment using the correct address. |
invalid_amount | The amount is invalid. | Update the amount and resubmit the payment. |
invalid_credentials | The credentials provided with the request are invalid. | Update your credentials and resubmit the payment. |
invalid_expiry | The expiration date is incorrect. | Resubmit the payment using the correct expiration date. |
invalid_field | One or more fields are invalid. | Confirm the payment information and resubmit the payment. If subsequent payments are declined, contact Support for more information. |
invalid_merchant_account | The merchant account is disabled or incorrectly configured. | Contact Support for more information. |
invalid_number | The card number is incorrect. | Update the payment information and resubmit the payment. |
invalid_request | The credentials, URL, or action used in the request are invalid. | Verify the request details and resubmit the payment. |
invalid_token | The payment token is invalid or the corresponding account is not active. | Update the payment information and resubmit the payment. |
invalid_transaction | The transaction referenced is not supported or cannot be found. | Contact Support for more information. |
invalid_zip | The zip code is incorrect. | Resubmit the payment using the correct zip code. |
issuer_not_available | The card issuer couldn’t be reached, so the payment couldn’t be authorized. | Resubmit the payment. If subsequent payments are declined, advise the customer to contact their card issuer for more information. |
limit_exceeded | The customer has exceeded their balance or credit limit. | Resubmit the payment using an alternative card or payment method. |
lost_card | The card cannot be used for payment as it was reported lost. | Avoid providing the customer with specific details. Instead, advise the customer to contact their card issuer. |
no_action_taken | The payment failed because no action was taken on the terminal. | Resubmit the payment. |
no_card | Either the card wasn't provided or the card was removed before the payment was completed. | Resubmit the payment. |
not_authorized | The payment is not authorized. | Advise the customer to contact the card issuer for more information. |
not_permitted | The payment is not permitted. | Advise the customer to contact the card issuer for more information. |
not_recognized | The card is not recognized. | Advise the customer to contact the card issuer for more information. |
pickup_card | The card cannot be used for payment as it may have been reported lost or stolen. | Avoid providing the customer with specific details. Instead, advise the customer to contact their card issuer. |
pin_try_exceeded | The allowable number of PIN tries was exceeded. | Resubmit the payment using an alternative card or payment method. |
processing_error | An error occurred while processing the payment. | Resubmit the payment. If subsequent payments are declined, contact Support for more information. |
restricted_card | The card cannot be used for payment as it may have been reported lost or stolen. | Avoid providing the customer with specific details. Instead, advise the customer to contact their card issuer. |
risk_blocked | The payment was blocked for triggering risk rules. | Contact Support for more information. |
service_not_allowed | The card was declined by the issuer due to its proprietary card activity regulations. | Resubmit the payment using an alternative card or payment method. |
stolen_card | The card cannot be used for payment as it was reported stolen. | Avoid providing the customer with specific details. Instead, advise the customer to contact their card issuer. |
terminal_authentication_required | The terminal has not been authenticated. | Authenticate the terminal and resubmit the payment. |
try_again_later | The issuer has requested that the payment be tried again later. | Resubmit the payment. If subsequent payments are declined, advise the customer to contact their card issuer for more information. |