Docs
Payments
Card
Declines

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 CODEFAILURE MESSAGERESOLUTION
insufficient_fundsThe account has insufficient funds to complete the transaction.Suggest a different payment method.
avs_check_failedThe card was declined for a failed AVS check.Request re-verification of billing address details.
generic_declineYour request has been declined by the issuing bank.Advise the customer to contact their bank or use another card.
call_issuerYour request has been declined by the issuing bank. The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.Advise the customer to contact their bank or use another card.
expired_cardThe card has expired.Request an updated card with a valid expiration date.
pickup_cardThe customer can't use this card to make this payment. It's possible it was reported lost or stolen.Advise the customer to contact their bank or use another card.
invalid_numberThe card number is invalid.Ask the customer to enter a valid card number.
limit_exceededThe customer has exceeded the balance or credit limit available on their card.Suggest a different payment method.
not_permittedTransactions are prohibited or limited against this account.Advise the customer to contact their bank or use another card.
incorrect_cvcThe CVV/CVC number is incorrect.Request the correct CVV/CVC number from the customer.
service_not_allowedThe card was declined by the issuing bank due to its proprietary card activity regulations.Advise the customer to contact their bank or use another card.
invalid_expiryThe expiration date is invalid.Ask for the correct expiration date.
card_not_supportedThe card does not support this type of purchase.Advise the customer to contact their bank or use another card.
restricted_cardThe customer can't use this card to make this payment. It's possible it was reported lost or stolen.Advise the customer to contact their bank or use another card.
fraudulentThe payment was declined because it is suspected to be fraudulent.Avoid providing your customer with more specific details. Instead, advise the customer to contact their bank.
processing_errorAn error occurred while processing the card.Retry the transaction or use a different payment method.
account_closedThe account has been closed.Suggest a different payment method.

October 2024 Updates

In October 2024, will be enhancing our failure codes to provide better insight into payment declines. This release will include new failure codes, improved failure messages, and updated internal mapping of processor error codes.

FAILURE CODEFAILURE MESSAGENEXT STEPS
account_closedThe account has been closed.Resubmit the payment using an alternative card or payment method.
authentication_requiredThe cardholder must authenticate this payment using 3D Secure before proceeding.Contact Support for more information.
avs_check_failedThe 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_issuerThe card was declined by the issuer for an unknown reason.Advise the customer to contact the card issuer for more information.
canceledThe payment was canceled.Confirm whether the payment was meant to be canceled and proceed accordingly.
card_not_supportedThe card does not support this type of purchase.Resubmit the payment using an alternative card or payment method.
do_not_honorThe card was declined by the issuer for an unknown reason.Advise the customer to contact the card issuer for more information.
duplicate_transactionA payment with identical amount and payment information was submitted very recently.Confirm whether it’s a true duplicate and proceed accordingly.
expired_cardThe card has expired.Resubmit the payment using an alternative card or payment method.
format_errorThere 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.
fraudulentThe payment is suspected to be fraudulent.Avoid providing the customer with specific details. Instead, advise the customer to contact their card issuer.
generic_declineThe payment was declined for an unknown reason.Resubmit the payment. If subsequent payments are declined, contact the card issuer for more information.
incorrect_cvcThe CVV/CVC number is incorrect.Resubmit the payment using the correct CVV/CVC.
incorrect_pinThe PIN is incorrect.Resubmit the payment using the correct PIN.
insufficient_fundsThe 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_accountThe account is invalid.Obtain new account information and resubmit the payment.
invalid_addressThe address is incorrect.Resubmit the payment using the correct address.
invalid_amountThe amount is invalid.Update the amount and resubmit the payment.
invalid_credentialsThe credentials provided with the request are invalid.Update your credentials and resubmit the payment.
invalid_expiryThe expiration date is incorrect.Resubmit the payment using the correct expiration date.
invalid_fieldOne 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_accountThe merchant account is disabled or incorrectly configured.Contact Support for more information.
invalid_numberThe card number is incorrect.Update the payment information and resubmit the payment.
invalid_requestThe credentials, URL, or action used in the request are invalid.Verify the request details and resubmit the payment.
invalid_tokenThe payment token is invalid or the corresponding account is not active.Update the payment information and resubmit the payment.
invalid_transactionThe transaction referenced is not supported or cannot be found.Contact Support for more information.
invalid_zipThe zip code is incorrect.Resubmit the payment using the correct zip code.
issuer_not_availableThe 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_exceededThe customer has exceeded their balance or credit limit.Resubmit the payment using an alternative card or payment method.
lost_cardThe 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_takenThe payment failed because no action was taken on the terminal.Resubmit the payment.
no_cardEither the card wasn't provided or the card was removed before the payment was completed.Resubmit the payment.
not_authorizedThe payment is not authorized.Advise the customer to contact the card issuer for more information.
not_permittedThe payment is not permitted.Advise the customer to contact the card issuer for more information.
not_recognizedThe card is not recognized.Advise the customer to contact the card issuer for more information.
pickup_cardThe 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_exceededThe allowable number of PIN tries was exceeded.Resubmit the payment using an alternative card or payment method.
processing_errorAn error occurred while processing the payment.Resubmit the payment. If subsequent payments are declined, contact Support for more information.
restricted_cardThe 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_blockedThe payment was blocked for triggering risk rules.Contact Support for more information.
service_not_allowedThe card was declined by the issuer due to its proprietary card activity regulations.Resubmit the payment using an alternative card or payment method.
stolen_cardThe 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_requiredThe terminal has not been authenticated.Authenticate the terminal and resubmit the payment.
try_again_laterThe 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.