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Decline Codes

Transaction decline codes and what they mean

Overview

This article contains all potential decline codes your transactions may see. Use Command + F (Apple) or CTL + F (Windows) on your computer to search the code you see to find it more easily.


Visa/Mastercard

Authorised

00: Approved or completed successfully

The transaction was canceled after being initially approved by the issuer. This can be due to various reasons, for example, if the shopper returns goods after purchase.

Refused

01: Refer to card issuer

The transaction was refused by the card issuer. The shopper should contact their bank for clarification. The shopper can try again after resolving the issue with their bank, or use another payment method.

Refused

03: Invalid merchant

The transaction was refused by the card issuer. The shopper should contact their bank for clarification. The shopper can try again after resolving the issue with their bank, or use another payment method.

Refused

04: Pickup card

The card issuer requests to retain the card. This can be due to a suspected counterfeit or stolen card. This reason is used in an ecommerce environment although it originates from an in-person payments environment.

Refused

05: Do not honor

This is a generic refusal that has several possible causes. The shopper should contact their issuing bank for clarification.

Error

06: Error

Payment could not be authorized and resulted in an error. The shopper can try again or use another payment method.

Refused

07: Pickup card, special conditions

The card issuer requests to retain the card. This can be due to a suspected counterfeit or stolen card.

Cancelled

10: Partial approval

The transaction was canceled. Some card issuers support partial-approval authorization. This approves a part of the requested transaction, leaving the remainder to be paid with another form of tender.

Refused

12: Invalid transaction

The card issuer does not allow this type of transaction on this card/account. For example, the card is a fleet card for which this type of transaction is not permitted.

Refused

13: Invalid amount

The card issuer has declined the transaction because of an invalid format or field. This response usually occurs with Cirrus or Maestro Debit and Prepaid Cards or cards that are not allowed to do online purchases. The shopper should try again or use another payment method.

Refused

14: Invalid Account Number (No such Number)

The card issuer is unable to validate the card/account number.

Refused

15: No such issuer

The card number is not within a card number range supported by the scheme.

Refused

19: Re-enter transaction

Applies to Visa. The transaction cannot be processed temporarily.

Error

30: Format error

The card issuer does not recognize the transaction details being entered. This is due to a format error. The shopper should check the transaction information and try again.

Refused

41: Pickup card (lost card)

The card was reported as lost. Validate the shopper's authenticity and refer them to their bank.

Refused

43: Pickup card (stolen card)

The card was reported as stolen. Validate the shopper's authenticity and refer them to their bank.

Refused

46: Closed Account

Applies to Visa. The account is closed. Re-validate the account number for accuracy and do not reattempt with the same PAN or token.

Refused

51: Insufficient funds/over credit limit / Not sufficient funds

Insufficient funds in the cardholder's account. The shopper can try again after adding funds to their bank account, or use another payment method.

Refused

54: Expired card

The card expiration date is in the past. The shopper should correct the date or use another payment method.

Refused

55: Invalid PIN

The shopper has entered an incorrect PIN. The shopper should re-enter their PIN or use another payment method.

Refused

57: Transaction not permitted to cardholder

The card issuer does not permit the transaction on this card/account. The shopper can use another payment method. For activation or loading of prepaid cards, the Merchant, acquirer BIN, and issuer BIN are not all domestic.

Refused

58: Transaction not permitted to acquirer/terminal

Card issuer does not permit the transaction on this card/account. Shopper can use another payment method or contact their bank.

Refused

59: Suspected fraud

The transaction is refused because the card issuer suspects this payment to be fraudulent.

Refused

61: Exceeds withdrawal amount limit(s) / Withdrawal amount limit exceeded

The shopper has exceeded their card limit. The shopper can try again after resolving the issue with their bank, or use another payment method.

Refused

62: Restricted card

The card issuer has restricted where the card can be used. For example, because of embargoes.

Refused

63: Security violation

The card issuer indicated a security issue with this card. The shopper can use another payment method. Alternatively, the shopper can try again after they resolved the issue with their bank.

Refused

65: Exceeds withdrawal count limit / Withdrawal count limit exceeded

The shopper has exceeded their card usage frequency limit. The shopper can use another payment method or try again with the same card after the shopper took care of the card limit issue.

Refused

6P: Customer ID verification failed

Applies to Visa. Incorrect account verification (for example driving license number) related to Visa Direct. Not to be confused for cardholder verification method refusals such as CVV, for example.

Refused

65: Authentication required

Applies to Mastercard. Authentication is required for the transaction. If the transaction is in scope of PSD2 and did not go through 3D Secure, try again with 3D Secure. This is also referred to as a "Soft Decline".

Refused

70: Contact Card Issuer

Applies to Mastercard. The card issuer indicated an issue with this card and requests contact from the shopper. The shopper can use another payment method. Alternatively the shopper can try again after they resolved the issue with their bank.

Refused

70: PIN data required

Applies to Visa. The card issuer requests to use Secure Customer Authentication. Reattempt transaction with PIN. (European Region Only)

Refused

75: Allowable number of PIN tries exceeded

The shopper has entered an incorrect PIN more times than is allowed by the issuing bank. The shopper should try again or use another payment method.

Refused

78: Invalid/nonexistent account specified (general)

The transaction is from a new cardholder, and the card has not been properly unblocked.

Refused

79: Life Cycle

Applies to Mastercard. The transaction is refused due to invalid card data. View the Merchant Advice Code for follow-up action.

Refused

80: Credit issuer unavailable

The issuing bank cannot be contacted. The shopper should try again or use another payment method.

Refused

82: Policy

Applies to Mastercard. The transaction is refused due to a policy reason. View the Merchant Advice Code for follow-up action.

Refused

82: Negative online CAM, dCVV, iCVV, CVV, or CAVV results or Offline PIN authentication interrupted

Applies to Visa. The cardholder verification method failed for CAM, dCVV, iCVV, CVV or a service code for card present transactions.

Refused

83: Fraud / Security

Applies to Mastercard. The transaction is refused because the card issuer suspects this payment to be fraudulent. View the Merchant Advice Code for follow-up action.

Authorised

85: No reason to decline a request for account number verification, address verification, CVV2 verification, or a credit voucher or merchandise return

Zero-value auth request authorized.

Authorised

85: Not declined (Valid for all zero amount transactions)

Zero-value auth request authorized.

Refused

86: Cannot verify PIN

Applies to Visa. The PIN cannot be validated. If applicable, the transaction can be reattempted as a non-PIN transaction.

Refused

91: Authorization Platform or issuer system inoperative / Issuer not available

The issuing bank cannot be contacted. The shopper should try again or use another payment method.

Error

91: Issuer unavailable or switch inoperative

The issuer or issuer processor cannot authorize, for example because of downtime.

Refused

92: Destination cannot be found for routing / Unable to route transaction

The shopper is using a test card number on live. The shopper should use another payment method.

Refused

93: Transaction cannot be completed; violation of law

The issuing bank will not allow this transaction. The shopper should use another payment method.

Refused

96: System malfunction

The issuing bank cannot be contacted. The shopper should try again or use another payment method.

Refused

1A: Authentication Required

Applies to Visa. Authentication is required for the transaction. If the transaction is in scope of PSD2 and did not go through 3D Secure, try again with 3D Secure. This is also referred to as a "Soft Decline".

Refused

5C: Transaction not supported/blocked by issuer

Applies to Visa. The transaction was refused by the card issuer. The shopper can contact their bank or try with a different payment method.

Refused

9G: Blocked by cardholder/contact cardholder

Applies to Visa. The cardholder blocked this card. Ask the cardholder to use another payment method.

Refused

R0: Stop payment order

Applies to Visa. The cardholder requested to stop a specific, single recurring payment transaction. Contact the shopper regarding cancellation of this transaction.

Refused

R1: Revocation of authorization order

Applies to Visa. The cardholder requested to stop all recurring payment transactions. Contact the shopper regarding cancellation of all transactions.

Refused

R3: Revocation of all authorization

Applies to Visa. All recurring payments have been canceled for the card number in the request. Contact the shopper regarding cancellation of all transactions.

Refused

Z1: Offline-declined

Applies to Visa. Only used in non-cardholder requests such as advice.

Refused

Z3: Unable to go online; offline-declined

Applies to Visa. Only used in non-cardholder requests such as advice.

Error

N3: Cash service not available

Reserved for private use or Maximum online refund reached

Error

N4: Cash request exceeds issuer limit

Reserved for private use or Maximum offline refund reached

Declined

N7: Decline for CVV2 failure

Reserved for private use or Customer selected negative file reason

American Express

Cancelled

000: Approved

The transaction was canceled after being initially approved by the issuer. This can be due to various reasons, for example, if the shopper returns goods after purchase.

Cancelled

001: Approve with ID

The transaction was canceled after the issuer requested that identification be established through telephone contact between the acquiring center's authorizer and the merchant.

Cancelled

002: Prepaid Card Partial Authorization

Transaction was canceled. Some card issuers support partial-approval authorization. This approves a part of the requested transaction, leaving the remainder to be paid with another form of tender.

Refused

100: Deny

This is a generic refusal that can have several possible reasons. Shopper should contact their issuing bank for clarification.

Refused

101: Expired Card / Invalid Expiration Date

The card expiration date is in the past. The shopper should correct the date or use another payment method.

Refused

106: PIN tries exceeded

The shopper has entered an incorrect PIN more times than is allowed by the issuing bank. The shopper should try again or use another payment method.

Refused

109: Invalid merchant

The transaction was refused by the card issuer. The shopper should contact their bank for clarification. The shopper can try again after resolving the issue with their bank, or use another payment method.

Refused

110: Invalid amount

The transaction amount was specified in an invalid format. For example, an invalid character such as a dollar sign or a space was used. The shopper should correct or use another payment method.

Refused

111: Invalid account

The card issuer is unable to validate the card/account number, possibly because an invalid character was used.

Refused

115: Requested function not supported

The card issuer does not allow this type of transaction on this card/account.

Refused

117: Incorrect PIN

The shopper entered an invalid PIN. The shopper should try again or use another payment method.

Refused

119: Transaction not permitted to Cardmember

The card issuer doesn't permit the transaction on this card/account. The shopper can use another payment method.

Refused

122: Invalid Keyed Printed Card Security Code (PCSC)

The card issuer indicated a security issue with this card. The shopper can use another payment method. Alternatively, the shopper can try again after they resolved the issue with their bank.

Refused

125: Invalid Effective Date on Card

The card expiration date provided is not a valid date format. The shopper should correct or use another payment method.

Refused

130: Additional customer identification required

Authentication is required for the transaction. If the transaction is in scope of PSD2 and did not go through 3D Secure, try again with 3D Secure. This is also referred to as a "Soft Decline".

Refused

181: Format error

The card issuer does not recognize the transaction details being entered. This is due to a format error. The shopper should check the transaction information and try again.

Refused

183: Invalid Currency Code

The currency code provided doesn't comply with standards.

Refused

187: Deny New Card Issued

The card issuer supplied the cardholder with a new card. The shopper should try again with the new card, or use another payment method

Refused

189: Deny Canceled or Closed Card Acceptor

The merchant has stopped operations or is no longer accepting cards from this card scheme.

Refused

200: Deny pick up Card

The card issuer requests to retain the card. This can be due to a suspected counterfeit or stolen card.

Refused

900: Advice accepted

The ExpressPay issuer is unable to respond to an ATC Synchronization Authorization Request.

Refused

911: Card Issuer timed out

The issuing bank cannot be contacted. The shopper should try again or use another payment method.

Refused

912: Host unavailable

The issuing bank cannot be contacted. The shopper should try again or use another payment method.


If you happen to see a code on a Captyn transaction that you cannot find, please reach out to our Support Team for more information.

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