When cards fail payments on Stripe, Stripe sends an error code back from the issuing bank for the card, which helps you to figure out what to do next to fix that payment. Here’s a helpful list of Stripe credit card decline codes, their definitions, and the next steps after receiving each type.
Authentication Required
authentication_required
This transaction requires authentication. This happens when the customer’s bank is using 3D Secure, which requires a customer to complete additional verification with their card issuer when paying. Generally, they enter a password associated with the card or a code sent to their phone. The most common reason this is seen is when Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) is required.
Next Steps: The customer should try again and make sure that they enter the proper code or password when prompted.
Approve With ID
approve_with_id
The payment cannot be authorized.
Next Steps: The payment should be attempted again. If it still cannot be processed, the customer needs to contact their card issuer, or try a different card.
Call Issuer
call_issuer
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact the card-issuing bank for more information.
Card Not Supported
card_not_supported
The card does not support this type of purchase.
Next Steps: We see this mostly on subscription purchases, when a customer is using a card that only supports one-time purchases. The customer should contact their card issuer to see if they can allow subscription purchases on their card. If not, they should use a different card.
Card Velocity Exceeded
card_velocity_exceeded
The customer’s card has been used/attempted too many times within a certain amount of time.
Next Steps: The customer should wait a day, then try again.
Currency Not Supported
currency_not_supported
The card does not support the specified currency.
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their issuer and find out whether or not their card can be used with the type of currency specified. If not, they should try a different payment method.
Do Not Honor
do_not_honor
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer should contact their card issuer for more information.
Do Not Try Again
do_not_try_again
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer should use a different card.
Duplicate Transaction Exists
duplicate_transaction
A transaction with identical amount and credit card information was submitted very recently.
Next Steps: The customer’s issuing bank is flagging the transaction because it’s so similar to a recent transaction. Generally you won’t see these happen on subscriptions. A transaction has probably already gone through, so you should check your Stripe account to make sure.
Expired Card
expired_card
The card has expired.
Next Steps: The customer should have been issued a replacement card, so they just need to enter the new card, or use a different one.
Fraudulent
authentication_required
The payment has been declined as Stripe suspects it is fraudulent.
Next Steps: Do not report more detailed information to your customer. Present this as a generic decline.
Generic Decline
generic_decline
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
Incorrect Number
authentication_required
The card number is incorrect.
Next Steps: The customer should re-enter the correct number, or try a different credit card.
Incorrect CVC
incorrect_cvc
The CVC number is incorrect.
Next Steps: We see this sometimes when a Stripe account contains cards that were entered before CVC checks were turned on in the account. Since CVC checks weren’t on when the cards were entered, there may be cards with incorrect CVC codes that were successfully billed in the past. The customer just needs to re-enter the card with the correct CVC code, or use a different one.
Incorrect PIN
incorrect_pin
The PIN entered is incorrect. This doesn’t happen with subscription payments, only with physical card readers.
Next Steps: The customer should try again using the correct PIN.
Incorrect ZIP
incorrect_zip
The ZIP (postal code) is incorrect.
Next Steps: We see this sometimes when a Stripe account contains cards that were entered before ZIP/postal checks were turned on in the account. Since ZIP/postal checks weren’t on when the cards were entered, there may be cards with incorrect ZIP/postal codes that were successfully billed in the past. The customer just needs to re-enter the card with the correct billing ZIP or postal code, or use a different one.
Insufficient Funds
insufficient_funds
The card has insufficient funds to complete the purchase.
Next Steps: The customer should use a different card, or add funds to the existing card. We also see this happen when a customer has a virtual card with spending limits for particular vendors. If you’ve increased the price of their subscription recently, you may run into this. In this case, the customer needs to raise their limit for charges from you. It’s helpful to include the amount of the failed charge in your failed payment/dunning emails, so it’s easy for customers to spot this on their own.
Invalid Account
invalid_account
The card, or account the card is connected to, is invalid.
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their card issuer to check that the card is working correctly.
Invalid Amount
invalid_amount
The payment amount is invalid, or exceeds the amount that is allowed.
Next Steps: If the amount appears to be correct, the customer needs to check with their card issuer to make sure that they can make purchases of the given amount.
Invalid CVC
invalid_cvc
The CVC number is incorrect.
Next Steps: We see this sometimes when a Stripe account contains cards that were entered before CVC checks were turned on in the account. Since CVC checks weren’t on when the cards were entered, there may be cards with incorrect CVC codes that were successfully billed in the past. The customer just needs to re-enter the card with the correct CVC code, or use a different one.
Invalid Expiry Month
invalid_expiry_month
The expiration month is invalid.
Next Steps: The customer should re-enter their card with the correct expiration month.
Invalid Expiry Year
invalid_expiry_year
The expiration year is invalid.
Next Steps: The customer should re-enter their card with the correct expiration year.
Invalid Number
invalid_number
The card number is incorrect.
Next Steps: The customer should try again using the correct card number. We see this happen sometimes on saved cards that previously worked, which usually means that the card has been replaced by the customer’s bank.
Invalid PIN
invalid_pin
The PIN entered is incorrect. This doesn’t happen with subscription payments, only with physical card readers.
Next Steps: The customer should try again using the correct PIN.
Issuer Not Available
issuer_not_available
The card issuer could not be reached, so the payment could not be authorized.
Next Steps: The payment should be attempted again after a delay (we recommend at least an hour, possibly a day). Generally we see this when the servers for the card issuer are unavailable for some reason.
Lost Card
lost_card
The payment has been declined because the card is reported lost.
Next Steps: Do not report more detailed information to your customer. Present this as a generic decline.
Merchant Blacklist
merchant_blacklist
Do not report more detailed information to your customer. Present this as a generic decline.
Next Steps: The customer should try again and make sure that they enter the proper code or password when prompted.
New Account Information Available
new_account_information_available
The card, or account the card is connected to, is invalid.
Next Steps: We generally see this when the customer has closed the account tied to the card in question. The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information, or use a different card.
No Action Taken
no_action_taken
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
Not Permitted
not_permitted
The payment is not permitted.
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
Offline PIN required
offline_pin_required
The card has been declined as it requires a PIN. This doesn’t happen with subscription payments, only with physical card readers.
Next Steps: The customer should try again by inserting their card and entering a PIN.
Online of Offline PIN required
online_or_offline_pin_required
The card has been declined as it requires a PIN. This doesn’t happen with subscription payments, only with physical card readers.
Next Steps: If the card reader supports Online PIN, the customer should be prompted for a PIN without a new transaction being created. If the card reader does not support Online PIN, the customer should try again by inserting their card and entering a PIN.
Pickup Cardd
pickup_card
The card cannot be used to make this payment (it is possible it has been reported lost or stolen).
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
PIN Try Exceeded
pin_try_exceeded
The allowable number of PIN tries has been exceeded. This doesn’t happen with subscription payments, only with physical card readers.
Next Steps: The customer should try a different card.
Processing Error
processing_error
An error occurred while processing the card.
Next Steps: Try the payment again after waiting a bit. If it still doesn’t work, contact the card issuer or try a different card.
Reenter Transaction
reenter_transaction
The payment could not be processed by the issuer for an unknown reason.
Next Steps: Try the payment again after waiting a bit. If it still doesn’t work, contact the card issuer or try a different card.
Restricted Card
restricted_card
The card cannot be used to make this payment (it is possible it has been reported lost or stolen).
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. It might be that they are running into restrictions that they set up for themselves in the past, but forgot about.
Revocation Of All Authorizations
revocation_of_all_authorizations
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer should contact their card issuer for more information.
Revocation Of Authorization
revocation_of_authorization
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer should contact their card issuer for more information.
Security Violation
security_violation
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
Service Not Allowed
service_not_allowed
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer should contact their card issuer for more information.
Stolen Card
stolen_card
The payment has been declined because the card is reported stolen.
Next Steps: Do not report more detailed information to your customer. Present this as a generic decline.
Stop Payment Order
stop_payment_order
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer should contact their card issuer for more information.
Testmode Decline
testmode_decline
A Stripe test card number was used.
Next Steps: A genuine card must be used to make a payment. A Stripe test card number was used instead, so just use a genuine card and you’ll be fine.
Transaction Not Allowed
transaction_not_allowed
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
Try Again Later
try_again_later
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: Attempt the payment again, after a delay. If subsequent payments are declined, the customer should contact their card issuer for more information.
Withdrawal Count Limit Exceeded
withdrawal_count_limit_exceeded
The customer has exceeded the balance or credit limit available on their card.
Next Steps: The customer should wait a day and try again (because parhaps they’ve only exceeded their daily limit), or use an alternative payment method.
Card Declined
card_declined
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
When cards fail payments on Stripe, Stripe sends an error code back from the issuing bank for the card, which helps you to figure out what to do next to fix that payment. Here’s a helpful list of Stripe decline codes, their definitions, and the next steps after receiving each type.
Authentication Required
authentication_required
This transaction requires authentication. This happens when the customer’s bank is using 3D Secure, which requires a customer to complete additional verification with their card issuer when paying. Generally, they enter a password associated with the card or a code sent to their phone. This is commonly seen when Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) is required.
Next Steps: The customer should try again and make sure that they enter the proper code or password when prompted.
Approve With ID
approve_with_id
The payment cannot be authorized.
Next Steps: The payment should be attempted again. If it still cannot be processed, the customer needs to contact their card issuer, or try a different card.
Call Issuer
call_issuer
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact the bank that issued their card for more information.
Card Not Supported
card_not_supported
The card does not support this type of purchase.
Next Steps: We see this mostly on subscription purchases, when a customer is using a card that only supports one-time purchases. The customer should contact their card issuer to see if they can allow subscription purchases on their card. If not, they should use a different card.
Card Velocity Exceeded
card_velocity_exceeded
The customer’s card has been used/attempted too many times within a certain amount of time.
Next Steps: The customer should wait a day, then try again.
Currency Not Supported
currency_not_supported
The card does not support the specified currency.
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their issuer and find out whether or not their card can be used with the type of currency specified. If not, they should try a different card.
Do Not Honor
do_not_honor
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer should contact their card issuer for more information.
Do Not Try Again
do_not_try_again
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer should use a different card.
Duplicate Transaction Exists
duplicate_transaction
A transaction with identical amount and credit card information was submitted very recently.
Next Steps: The customer’s issuing bank is flagging the transaction because it’s so similar to a recent transaction. Generally you won’t see these happen on subscriptions. A transaction has probably already gone through, so you should check your Stripe account to make sure.
Expired Card
expired_card
The card has expired.
Next Steps: The customer should have been issued a replacement card, so they just need to enter the new card, or use a different one.
Fradulent
authentication_required
The payment has been declined as Stripe suspects it is fraudulent.
Next Steps: Do not report more detailed information to your customer. Present this as a generic decline.
Generic Decline
generic_decline
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
Incorrect Number
authentication_required
The card number is incorrect.
Next Steps: The customer should re-enter their credit card, or try a different one.
Incorrect CVC
incorrect_cvc
The CVC number is incorrect.
Next Steps: We see this sometimes when a Stripe account contains cards that were entered before CVC checks were turned on in the account. Since CVC checks weren’t on when the cards were entered, there may be cards with incorrect CVC codes that were successfully billed in the past. The customer just needs to re-enter the card with the correct CVC code, or use a different one.
Incorrect PIN
incorrect_pin
The PIN entered is incorrect. This doesn’t happen with subscription payments, only with physical card readers.
Next Steps: The customer should try again using the correct PIN.
Incorrect ZIP
incorrect_zip
The ZIP/postal code is incorrect.
Next Steps: We see this sometimes when a Stripe account contains cards that were entered before ZIP/postal checks were turned on in the account. Since ZIP/postal checks weren’t on when the cards were entered, there may be cards with incorrect ZIP/postal codes that were successfully billed in the past. The customer just needs to re-enter the card with the correct ZIP/postal code, or use a different one.
Insufficient Funds
insufficient_funds
The card has insufficient funds to complete the purchase.
Next Steps: The customer should use a different card, or add funds to the existing card. We also see this happen when a customer has a virtual card with spending limits for particular vendors. If you’ve increased the price of their subscription recently, you may run into this. In this case, the customer needs to raise their limit for charges from you. It’s helpful to include the amount of the failed charge in your failed payment/dunning emails, so it’s easy for customers to spot this on their own.
Invalid Account
invalid_account
The card, or account the card is connected to, is invalid.
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their card issuer to check that the card is working correctly.
Invalid Amount
invalid_amount
The payment amount is invalid, or exceeds the amount that is allowed.
Next Steps: If the amount appears to be correct, the customer needs to check with their card issuer to make sure that they can make purchases of the given amount.
Invalid CVC
invalid_cvc
The CVC number is incorrect.
Next Steps: We see this sometimes when a Stripe account contains cards that were entered before CVC checks were turned on in the account. Since CVC checks weren’t on when the cards were entered, there may be cards with incorrect CVC codes that were successfully billed in the past. The customer just needs to re-enter the card with the correct CVC code, or use a different one.
Invalid Expiry Month
invalid_expiry_month
The expiration month is invalid.
Next Steps: The customer should re-enter their card with the correct expiration month.
Invalid Expiry Year
invalid_expiry_year
The expiration year is invalid.
Next Steps: The customer should re-enter their card with the correct expiration year.
Invalid Number
invalid_number
The card number is incorrect.
Next Steps: The customer should try again using the correct card number. We see this happen sometimes on saved cards that previously worked, which usually means that the card has been replaced by the issuing bank.
Invalid PIN
invalid_pin
The PIN entered is incorrect. This doesn’t happen with subscription payments, only with physical card readers.
Next Steps: The customer should try again using the correct PIN.
Issuer Not Available
issuer_not_available
The card issuer could not be reached, so the payment could not be authorized.
Next Steps: The payment should be attempted again after a delay (we recommend at least an hour, possibly a day). Generally we see this when the servers for the card issuer are unavailable for some reason.
Lost Card
lost_card
The payment has been declined because the card is reported lost.
Next Steps: Do not report more detailed information to your customer. Present this as a generic decline.
Merchant Blacklist
merchant_blacklist
Do not report more detailed information to your customer. Present this as a generic decline.
Next Steps: The customer should try again and make sure that they enter the proper code or password when prompted.
New Account Information Available
new_account_information_available
The card, or account the card is connected to, is invalid.
Next Steps: We generally see this when the customer has closed the account tied to the card in question. The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information, or use a different card.
No Action Taken
no_action_taken
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
Not Permitted
not_permitted
The payment is not permitted.
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
Offline PIN required
offline_pin_required
The card has been declined as it requires a PIN. This doesn’t happen with subscription payments, only with physical card readers.
Next Steps: The customer should try again by inserting their card and entering a PIN.
Online of Offline PIN required
online_or_offline_pin_required
The card has been declined as it requires a PIN. This doesn’t happen with subscription payments, only with physical card readers.
Next Steps: If the card reader supports Online PIN, the customer should be prompted for a PIN without a new transaction being created. If the card reader does not support Online PIN, the customer should try again by inserting their card and entering a PIN.
Pickup Cardd
pickup_card
The card cannot be used to make this payment (it is possible it has been reported lost or stolen).
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
PIN Try Exceeded
pin_try_exceeded
The allowable number of PIN tries has been exceeded. This doesn’t happen with subscription payments, only with physical card readers.
Next Steps: The customer should try a different card.
Processing Error
processing_error
An error occurred while processing the card.
Next Steps: Try the payment again after waiting a bit. If it still doesn’t work, contact the card issuer or try a different card.
Reenter Transaction
reenter_transaction
The payment could not be processed by the issuer for an unknown reason.
Next Steps: Try the payment again after waiting a bit. If it still doesn’t work, contact the card issuer or try a different card.
Restricted Card
restricted_card
The card cannot be used to make this payment (it is possible it has been reported lost or stolen).
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. It might be that they are running into restrictions that they set up for themselves in the past, but forgot about.
Revocation Of All Authorizations
revocation_of_all_authorizations
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer should contact their card issuer for more information.
Revocation Of Authorization
revocation_of_authorization
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer should contact their card issuer for more information.
Security Violation
security_violation
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
Service Not Allowed
service_not_allowed
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer should contact their card issuer for more information.
Stolen Card
stolen_card
The payment has been declined because the card is reported stolen.
Next Steps: Do not report more detailed information to your customer. Present this as a generic decline.
Stop Payment Order
stop_payment_order
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer should contact their card issuer for more information.
Testmode Decline
testmode_decline
A Stripe test card number was used.
Next Steps: A genuine card must be used to make a payment. A Stripe test card number was used instead, so just use a genuine card and you’ll be fine.
Transaction Not Allowed
transaction_not_allowed
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
Try Again Later
try_again_later
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: Attempt the payment again, after a delay. If subsequent payments are declined, the customer should contact their card issuer for more information.
Withdrawal Count Limit Exceeded
withdrawal_count_limit_exceeded
The customer has exceeded the balance or credit limit available on their card.
Next Steps: The customer should wait a day and try again (because parhaps they’ve only exceeded their daily limit), or use a different card.
Card Declined
card_declined
The card has been declined for a reason that the bank did not provide.
Next Steps: The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
