Did your credit card get declined when y'all tried to use it?

Are you wondering if the reason for your blocked transaction was because you're out of funds or for location restrictions? Or something else?

With this list of credit bill of fare declined codes, you can make up one's mind the source of the problem.

In this article, we'll aid you figure out exactly what's going on with your (or your client'south) credit card and why the transaction didn't go through. We'll comprehend all standard — and less mutual — credit bill of fare declined codes in item, including what they mean and what yous should practise well-nigh each 1.

Let's get!

Check Out Our Video Guide With a Complete List of Credit Menu Declined Codes Explained

What Is a Credit Carte Decline Lawmaking?

A credit card decline code is the code that appears on a credit card processor when a transaction, or payment, has been declined.

If you're in a store and can't get your credit bill of fare to work, you and the vendor will get an error that can direct you to what went wrong.

You lot tin likewise become error codes when trying to make online purchases.

Example of a online credit card purchase being declined (Source: SmarterQueue.com)
Example of a declined online credit card purchase (Source: SmarterQueue.com)

This can happen whenever a transaction is stopped by the vendor, depository financial institution, or card issuer.

When you have this consequence, you'll get a short error message of 1 to three numbers (or letters, in some cases).

This error message is what's known as a credit decline code. The code tin explain what the actual upshot is… as long every bit yous know what information technology means.

Starting time, we'll cover some of the most common reasons a card is declined — and the relevant codes associated with them — earlier doing a deep swoop into all potential credit card decline codes.

If your customers see one of these codes when attempting to check out on your site, learn what could exist causing information technology with this guide ✅ Click to Tweet

Most Common Reasons a Card Is Declined

First off, let's get-go by covering a few common reasons that a transaction might exist declined.

The problem can be something every bit simple as the payment processor struggling with your card, bereft funds, or an electronic issue connecting with your bank or credit menu company.

Some of the well-nigh common card pass up reasons include:

  • Credit carte verification error (Lawmaking CV): There could exist an issue with your menu's microchip or magnetic strip, making it impossible to utilize for transactions.
  • Insufficient funds (Code 51): You don't have enough money in the accounts associated with your card (both credit and debit cards).
  • Exceeded credit limit (Code 65): Even if you take money in your accounts, you need to pay it down if you've exceeded the credit limit for the card before you can use it once more.
  • Expired card (Lawmaking 54): All credit cards accept an expiration date, and trying to use a bill of fare after that appointment will give you an error message.
  • Transaction not permitted (Code 57): This occurs when you try to employ your card for a transaction that is not allowed (for case, if you've blocked online transactions or international payments).
  • Wrong carte number (Codes 14 & xv): At that place are ii wrong means to enter the card number improperly. If the very get-go digit is incorrect, yous'll encounter fault code fifteen for "no such issuers" since the start digit pinpoints the card'due south issuing banking concern. If you get any other wrong numbers, y'all'll get mistake code 14 for entering an invalid carte du jour number.
  • Wrong security code (Code 63): This occurs when y'all type the three-digit CVV or CVC code on the dorsum of your card or the iv-digit CID code on the front of your card incorrectly.
Examples of where to find your CVV, CVC, or CID number (Source: LendingTree)
Examples of where to find your CVV, CVC, or CID number (Source: LendingTree)

For many of these bug, you may besides see error code 12 or error code 85. These simply denote an invalid transaction. Credit bill of fare issuing banks frequently apply these two errors equally catch-all response codes, making it harder to know what's wrong.

You lot might have mistyped a credit card number, used the wrong verification code, entered an invalid expiration date, or attempted something inherently impossible, like trying to refund a refund.

If you lot didn't come across your error lawmaking in this section, you lot could browse the table below, which includes over l credit card turn down codes in numerical club, forth with details as to why each code happens and how to fix the problem.

Complete List Credit Card Declined Codes

This tabular array includes a listing of all credit carte du jour error codes, exactly what they mean (the actual problem), and how to fix them.

Code Label The Problem The Fix
01 Refer to issuer The issuing banking concern (Mastercard, Visa, Discovery, etc.) prevented the transaction without a specific reason. Call the bank and inquire them to explicate the issue.
02 Refer to issuer (special status) The customer's bank prevented the transaction (similar to code 01). Use the number on the card to telephone call the banking concern and ask for an explanation.
04 Pick upwardly card, hold phone call (no fraud implied) The client's bank prevented the transaction and is also telling the merchant to hold the card. This doesn't imply fraud, only rather overdrawn cards or expired ones. Phone call the bank to ask why the selection-up notice is showing up for your credit menu.
05 Do not laurels The customer's banking company stopped the transaction and told the merchant to "not laurels" the card (not to take payment). Call the depository financial institution and ask for an explanation.
06 Other fault The issuing banking company can't specify the mistake, but something went wrong with the transaction. Try again, and phone call the bank if the issue persists.
07 Choice upward card, special condition (fraudulent) The customer's banking company stopped the transaction considering the card or banking company account has been flagged as fraudulent. If you're the client, call the bank immediately to clear up whatsoever potential issues. If you lot're the merchant, withhold the card until you tin can gain confirmation from the bank and client nearly their identity and the bill of fare'south legitimacy.
x Fractional approval The issuing bank accepts a part of the payment merely blocks the rest, typically due to exceeding the credit limit or funds in the account. Phone call the bank to clear up the event (and pay downwardly your credit if the credit limit is the upshot).
12 Invalid transaction The transaction attempted is invalid. This could be due to any number of faulty operations, including trying to refund a refund. Before you call the bank, restart the transaction from scratch, and brand sure all the information entered is correct.
xiii Invalid corporeality The amount you entered for the transaction was invalid, usually due to a non-numerical symbol being entered along with the amount (eastward.1000., a dollar sign). Simply start the transaction over again and be conscientious to avoid using symbols when typing the amount.
xiv Invalid bill of fare number The menu number is invalid, and the credit card processor can't find the related account. Start the transaction over again, and be conscientious to enter the digits accurately. If the issue persists, call the issuing depository financial institution.
15 No such issuer The first digit, which identifies the menu's issuing bank, was incorrect. (Credit card-issuing banks have their ain unique code that starts with the offset digit — 3 for American Express, 4 for Visa, 5 for Mastercard, or 6 for Discover.) Carefully type the credit carte du jour number once again, making certain to include the outset digit correctly.
19 Re-enter An unknown error occurred. Restart the transaction and be careful to enter all the information correctly. If the outcome persists, call the card issuer.
28 No reply/response An error occurred during the transaction without the reason specified. Restart the transaction and be careful to enter all the information correctly. If the issue persists, phone call the carte issuer.
41 Lost card, pick up The bill of fare'south legitimate owner has reported it lost or stolen, so the card issuer has denied the transaction. If it'southward your own card, you demand to call the bank right away. If you're the merchant, ask the customer to use an alternate card or contact their bank.
43 Stolen card, pick upward (fraud account) The legitimate owner has reported the card as stolen, then the carte du jour issuer denied the transaction. If it's your own card, you demand to call the bank ASAP with the number on the dorsum of the carte du jour. If you're the merchant, ask them to use an alternate card or contact their bank.
51 Insufficient funds The card issuer is blocking the transaction because the account has already exceeded the credit limit, or the pending transaction would put the bill of fare over. Contact the bank with the number on the back of the card, use online banking to transfer funds to the carte, or use an alternate card.
54 Expired carte du jour The expiration date has already passed. Use a credit card that is still valid. (If you only accept one, the new card should typically have arrived in the postal service earlier the quondam 1 expires, so be certain to contact the banking concern.)
57 Transaction non permitted – Card This code shows upward when you're trying to use a bill of fare for a transaction that's specifically not allowed, similar transferring funds to a foreign merchant account. Use an alternate card without such limitations, or phone call the issuing bank to clear up whether you accept the pick to allow such transactions.
58 Transaction not permitted – Concluding If the merchant account connected to the last or payment processor is not properly configured, you'll see this fault. The merchant needs to telephone call their depository financial institution to clear things upwards. If yous're the customer, use an alternate payment method, like cash or check.
62 Invalid service code, restricted The invalid service lawmaking can refer to 2 specific situations.1: You lot're trying to procedure an American Express or Discover card, but the arrangement doesn't support those card issuers.

two: Y'all tried to pay for online purchase with a card that doesn't support online payments.

Effort a credit card from a different issuer, like Visa. If the merchant advertises accepting payments from your card issuer, yous need to contact the banking company to ask nigh your card'south configuration for online payments.
63 Security violation The three-digit CVV2 or CVC or the 4-digit CID security code was incorrect or wasn't read properly. Restart the transaction from scratch and advisedly blazon the correct security code.
65 Activeness limit exceeded The credit card user has exceeded the credit limit (or this transaction would put them over). Use another credit menu. If yous have no other cards, you can employ online or telephone cyberbanking to pay downwardly the carte before you endeavour information technology again.
85 or 00 Issuer organization unavailable This error code shows up when there'due south a temporary communication fault between the merchant and the issuing bank. Wait a few moments, then beginning the transaction over from scratch.
85 No reason to decline The issuing bank tin can't place a specific problem, but the transaction however didn't become through. Start the transaction again from scratch, and if the issue persists, telephone call the issuing depository financial institution.You can also attempt using another credit card to see if the event is merchant-specific.
91 Issuer or switch is unavailable The terminal or payment processor was unable to complete the payment dominance. First the transaction from scratch, and if the problem persists, phone call the issuing bank.
92 Unable to route transaction The final cannot reach the carte du jour issuer to process the transaction. Await a few minutes and try again. If the event persists, contact your bank.
93 Violation, cannot complete The issuing bank has recognized (or has been informed of) a legal violation on the part of the credit card user, and assets have been frozen. If yous mistakenly become this error code, phone call the issuing banking company right away to articulate upwardly whatsoever issues.
96 Organization error There'southward a temporary issue with the payment processor. Restart the transaction. If the issue persists, endeavour another credit card.If nothing works, it's likely an issue with the merchant'southward payment processor.
RO or R1 Client requested stop of specific recurring payment Your customer has specifically asked to finish the recurring payment you lot're trying to process. Offset, cancel all scheduled time to come payments to avoid chargebacks and related fees.If the customer is in alienation of contract, you lot'll need to get in bear on with them to articulate things up.
CV Card type verification error The card reader had a problem verifying the card. This could exist an issue with the microchip or the magnet strip. Try the historic period-quondam play a trick on of wiping the credit carte against your shirt and carefully swiping information technology over again.If that doesn't piece of work, key in the number or contact the issuing bank.
W1, W2, W9 Error connecting to banking company This can happen because of a power or service outage. Look for the power to come back on, or look for news of local outages that might touch on you lot.If there isn't whatever apparent reason, contact your merchant bank.

Mistake Codes for Fraud

Whether you're a merchant or a cardholder, the worst-case scenario is when you get an mistake code for fraud.

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As a merchant, y'all want to avoid chargebacks and related fees and damages. As a cardholder, y'all obviously don't desire to accept someone else using your carte at will.

But credit card fraud is a lot more than common than yous might think. In 2019, there were 271,823 cases of credit bill of fare fraud in the United states alone.

2019 US credit card fraud cases (Source: The Ascent)
2019 US credit bill of fare fraud cases (Source: The Ascent)

With hundreds of thousands of instances of credit card fraud each year, you need to be on the watch for customers who aren't the real owners of the cards they're using. You lot too need to be vigilant and aware of how your own cards are existence utilized.

Hither are all the credit card decline codes associated with fraud:

  • Lawmaking 7 — Option up the card, special status (fraud account): The card issuer has flagged the account for fraud and therefore denied the transaction.
  • Lawmaking 41 — Lost menu, pick up (fraud account): The real owner reported this card as lost or stolen, and the menu issuer has blocked the transaction.
  • Lawmaking 43 — Stolen carte, pick up (fraud account): The possessor has reported the card stolen, and the issuing bank has blocked the transaction.
  • Code 215 — Lost/stolen card: The existent cardholder has reported the carte as lost or stolen, and the menu issuer blocks the transaction.
  • Code 534 — Practise not honor, high fraud: The transaction failed PayPal or Google Checkout chance modeling.
  • Code 596 — Suspected fraud: Again, the card issuer suspects fraud and has blocked the transaction.

Note: If y'all accept payments online and you lot're worried about fraud and chargebacks, we've written a guide on how to reduce credit menu fraud past up to 98%.

What Practice I Do if My Credit Bill of fare Is Declined?

The showtime affair you should do when your credit card is declined is to look for the error code (or write it down if you're using the payment processor yourself).

Then, check if the issue with your credit card/business relationship or with the merchant's terminal.

Finally, yous must accept the appropriate activeness required to solve that detail consequence. That could exist restarting the transaction, typing in everything carefully, calling the bank, or trying another carte.

Troubleshooting boils down to a simple three-footstep procedure:

  1. Ask for the declined lawmaking.
  2. Learn the pregnant of the code.
  3. Have appropriate action (ordinarily calling the issuing banking company or trying some other credit carte).

You may retrieve that you've got your funds in society or that your credit menu limit hasn't been met, but it never hurts to check with the depository financial institution.

Most of us have multiple cards, and information technology can be hard to go on rails of them all. There are over one billion credit cards in use in the US lone.

Graph of the number of credit cards in the US and in the world (Source: Shift)
Graph of the number of credit cards in the US and in the world (Source: Shift)

And then if you ever become an fault lawmaking when using i of your cards, avoid moving directly to using the next menu. Get-go, brand certain you contact the bank to observe out the real state of affairs.

You don't desire to become striking with unnecessary overdraft or late payment fees, or a nasty surprise nib after y'all've been the victim of fraud.

Credit Card Declined Codes FAQs

Are you nonetheless dislocated nearly the error codes? Check out these ofttimes asked questions.

Why Is My Credit Menu Declined When I Have Coin?

In that location are a number of reasons why your credit bill of fare might be declined, even though yous have coin in your business relationship:

  • Yous might take exceeded your credit limit. Unless you've set upward automated payments, you must articulate your credit card debt before you can use it again.
  • Y'all could be trying to use a credit carte du jour for a transaction it'south not approved for, like online payments or payments in a foreign country.
  • Your credit carte du jour number may accept been flagged for fraud.
  • You may accept typed in your credit menu number, CVV2 code, or PIN incorrectly.
  • The issue perhaps with the merchant'due south final and not with your credit card at all.

What Does Credit Menu Code 51 Mean?

The credit card declined lawmaking "51" means that you've exceeded your credit limit (if information technology'south a credit carte) or run out of funds (if using a debit card).

Why Is My Card Declined When I Society Online?

Your credit card can be declined for three potential reasons: account settings, lack of funds, and inaccurate information.

  1. Your credit card may not be fix up to handle online payments. Contact your bank to confirm whether this is the case.
  2. You may be entering the credit bill of fare number, CVV2, CVC, CID, Pin, or name incorrectly.
  3. You may non take enough funds remaining in your account or have exceeded your credit limit.

Don't let these credit card codes cease y'all (or your customers!) from making online transactions 🙅‍♀️ Learn what they mean & how to fix them here ⬇️ Click to Tweet

Summary

Whether it's your own credit card or a client's credit menu that gets rejected, knowing the bodily reason is crucial to deciding on the right response.

If you don't know which issue you're having, you might simply use another credit bill of fare and go on with your day. All the same, exercise caution at all times by monitoring your credit usage and protecting yourself from identity theft.

Hopefully, this list has helped you figure out what was going on with your credit card and has given you the noesis needed to accept advisable steps to set the consequence.


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