Subscribie payment errors and decline codes
Table of contents
Sometimes payments do fail (most often sadly the subscriber simply might not have the funds to make the payment e.g. insufficient_funds) but there are many other potential reasons for payment failures- some are temporary.
This is the complete list of potential error codes you may see when a payment collection fails, and an explanation of their reason(s).
authentication_required
The card was declined as the transaction requires authentication. The customer should try again and authenticate their card when prompted during the transaction. If the card issuer returns this decline code on an authenticated transaction, the customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
approve_with_id
The payment can’t be authorized. Attempt the payment again. If you still can’t process it, the customer needs to contact their card issuer.
call_issuer
The card was declined for an unknown reason. The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
card_not_supported
The card does not support this type of purchase. The customer needs to contact their card issuer to make sure their card can be used to make this type of purchase.
card_velocity_exceeded
The customer has exceeded the balance, credit limit, or transaction amount limit available on their card. The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
currency_not_supported
The card does not support the specified currency. The customer needs to check with the issuer whether the card can be used for the type of currency specified.
do_not_honor
The card was declined for an unknown reason. The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
do_not_try_again
The card was declined for an unknown reason. The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
duplicate_transaction
A transaction with an identical amount and credit card information was submitted very recently. Check to see if a recent payment already exists.
expired_card
The card has expired. The customer needs to use another card.
fraudulent
The payment was declined because Stripe suspects that it’s fraudulent. Don’t report more detailed information to your customer. Instead, present as you would the generic_decline described below.
generic_decline
The card was declined for an unknown reason or Stripe Radar blocked the payment. The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
incorrect_number
The card number is incorrect. The customer needs to try again using the correct card number.
incorrect_cvc
The CVC number is incorrect. The customer needs to try again using the correct CVC.
incorrect_pin
The PIN entered is incorrect. This decline code only applies to payments made with a card reader. The customer needs to try again using the correct PIN.
incorrect_zip
The postal code is incorrect. The customer needs to try again using the correct billing postal code.
insufficient_funds
The card has insufficient funds to complete the purchase. The customer needs to use an alternative payment method.
invalid_account
The card, or account the card is connected to, is invalid. The customer needs to contact their card issuer to check that the card is working correctly.
invalid_amount
The payment amount is invalid or exceeds the amount that’s allowed. If the amount appears to be correct, the customer needs to check with their card issuer that they can make purchases of that amount.
invalid_cvc
The CVC number is incorrect. The customer needs to try again using the correct CVC.
invalid_expiry_month
The expiration month is invalid. The customer needs to try again using the correct expiration date.
invalid_expiry_year
The expiration year is invalid. The customer needs try again using the correct expiration date.
invalid_number
The card number is incorrect. The customer needs try again using the correct card number.
invalid_pin
The PIN entered is incorrect. The customer needs to try again using the correct PIN.
issuer_not_available
The card issuer couldn’t be reached, so the payment couldn’t be authorized. Attempt the payment again. If you still can’t process it, the customer needs to contact their card issuer.
lost_card
The payment was declined because the card is reported lost. The specific reason for the decline shouldn’t be reported to the customer. Instead, it needs to be presented as a generic decline.
merchant_blacklist
The payment was declined because it matches a value on the Stripe user’s block list. Don’t report more detailed information to your customer. Instead, present as you would the generic_decline described above.
new_account_information_available
The card, or account the card is connected to, is invalid. The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
no_action_taken
The card was declined for an unknown reason. The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
not_permitted
The payment isn’t permitted. The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
offline_pin_required
The card was declined because it requires a PIN. The customer needs to try again by inserting their card and entering a PIN.
online_or_offline_pin_required
The card was declined as it requires a PIN. If the card reader supports Online PIN, prompt the customer for a PIN without creating a new transaction. If the card reader doesn’t support Online PIN, the customer needs to try again by inserting their card and entering a PIN.
pickup_card
The customer can’t use this card to make this payment (it’s possible it was reported lost or stolen). They need to contact their card issuer for more information.
pin_try_exceeded
The allowable number of PIN tries was exceeded. The customer must use another card or method of payment.
processing_error
An error occurred while processing the card. The payment needs to be attempted again. If it still can’t be processed, try again later.
reenter_transaction
The payment couldn’t be processed by the issuer for an unknown reason. The payment needs to be attempted again. If it still can’t be processed, the customer needs to contact their card issuer.
restricted_card
The customer can’t use this card to make this payment (it’s possible it was reported lost or stolen). The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
revocation_of_all_authorizations
The card was declined for an unknown reason. The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
revocation_of_authorization
The card was declined for an unknown reason. The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
security_violation
The card was declined for an unknown reason. The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
service_not_allowed
The card was declined for an unknown reason. The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
stolen_card
The payment was declined because the card is reported stolen. The specific reason for the decline shouldn’t be reported to the customer. Instead, it needs to be presented as a generic decline.
stop_payment_order
The card was declined for an unknown reason. The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
testmode_decline
A Stripe test card number was used. A genuine card must be used to make a payment.
transaction_not_allowed
The card was declined for an unknown reason. The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
try_again_later
The card was declined for an unknown reason. Ask the customer to attempt the payment again. If subsequent payments are declined, the customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
withdrawal_count_limit_exceeded
The customer has exceeded the balance or credit limit available on their card. The customer needs to use an alternative payment method.
What happens to failed payments?
Failed payments are retried for a default of 4 times. In case a payment fails you will receive a notification email, stating the reason for the failed payment. Learn more about the process of failing payments and how they are retried by Subscribie here.