This guide explains payment decline reasons and provides instructions to resolve the issue and receive payment quickly. Use this guide as a quick reference to minimize declines and resolve overdue payments and delinquencies faster.
Tips for handling payment declines
Ask for an alternative payment method if the issue cannot be resolved immediately (e.g., insufficient funds, expired or restricted cards, or suspected fraud).
Retry the same card if the issue is fixable (authentication required, incorrect details, or a temporary bank issue).
Avoid making repeated retries on the same declined card, as this typically results in more failures and delays.
Rejection reasons and resolution
Rejection code |
Rejection reason |
Recommended next step |
Most common payment rejection reasons |
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insufficient_funds |
Insufficient funds |
Ask the customer to use a different payment method |
card_not_supported |
Card not supported for purchase |
Ask the customer to use a different card or method |
expired_card |
Card expired |
Ask the customer to use a different card |
invalid_number |
Invalid card number |
Retry the same card with the corrected card number |
incorrect_number |
Incorrect card number |
Retry the same card with the corrected card number |
stolen_card |
The card was reported stolen |
Ask for a different payment method |
pickup_card |
The card cannot be used |
Ask for a different payment method |
not_permitted |
Transaction not permitted |
Ask the customer to use a different payment method |
transaction_not_allowed |
Transaction not allowed |
Ask the customer to use a different payment method |
card_velocity_exceeded |
Transaction limit exceeded |
Ask the customer to use a different payment method |
generic_decline |
Generic or risk decline |
Ask for a different payment method |
token_not_found |
The payment method is no longer valid or has been removed due to a previous failure |
Ask for a different payment method |
Less common payment rejection reasons |
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authentication_required |
Authentication (3DS) required |
Retry the same card and complete authentication |
authentication_not_handled |
Required authentication was not performed |
Retry the same card with authentication |
mobile_device_authentication_required |
Mobile wallet authentication required |
Retry the same payment using the mobile device |
approve_with_id |
Issuer requires a retry |
Retry the same card once; if it fails, use another payment method |
issuer_not_available |
Issuer temporarily unavailable |
Retry the same card once; then use another payment method |
processing_error |
Processing error |
Retry the same card; if it fails again, try later or another method |
reenter_transaction |
The issuer couldn’t process the transaction |
Retry once; if declined again, use another payment method |
deprecatedtry_again_later |
Temporary issuer issue |
Retry once; if declined again, use another payment method |
duplicate_transaction |
Duplicate transaction detected |
Do not retry; check if the payment has already succeeded |
incorrect_address |
Incorrect billing address |
Retry the same card with the corrected address |
incorrect_cvc |
Incorrect CVC |
Retry the same card with the corrected CVC |
incorrect_zip |
Incorrect postal code |
Retry the same card with the corrected postal code |
invalid_cvc |
Invalid CVC |
Retry the same card with the corrected CVC |
invalid_expiry_month |
Invalid expiry month |
Retry the same card with the corrected expiry date |
invalid_expiry_year |
Invalid expiry year |
Retry the same card with the corrected expiry date |
incorrect_pin |
Incorrect PIN |
Retry the same card with the correct PIN |
invalid_pin |
Invalid PIN |
Retry the same card with the correct PIN |
withdrawal_count_limit_exceeded |
Withdrawal or limit exceeded |
Ask the customer to use a different payment method |
currency_not_supported |
Currency not supported |
Ask the customer to use a different card or method |
invalid_amount |
Invalid or unsupported amount |
Adjust the amount or use a different payment method |
service_not_allowed |
Service not allowed |
Ask the customer to use a different payment method |
fraudulent |
Suspected fraud |
Do not retry; ask for a different payment method |
merchant_blacklist |
Blocked by merchant rules |
Ask for a different payment method |
lost_card |
Card reported lost |
Ask for a different payment method |
restricted_card |
Card restricted |
Ask for a different payment method |
call_issuer |
Issuer requires contact |
Ask for a different payment method |
no_action_taken |
Issuer declined with no action |
Ask for a different payment method |
revocation_of_authorization |
Authorization revoked |
Ask for a different payment method |
revocation_of_all_authorizations |
All authorizations revoked |
Ask for a different payment method |
security_violation |
Security violation |
Ask for a different payment method |
stop_payment_order |
The issuer stopped payment |
Ask for a different payment method |
new_account_information_available |
Card details changed |
Ask the customer to update the card or use another method |
offline_pin_required |
PIN required (card-present) |
Retry the same card using chip + PIN |
online_or_offline_pin_required |
PIN required |
Retry the same card with PIN. Otherwise, use another method |
testmode_decline |
Test card used |
Use a real card in live mode |