Did your credit card get declined when you tried to use it?

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

With this list of credit carte declined codes, you lot tin determine the source of the problem.

In this article, we'll assist you effigy out exactly what's going on with your (or your customer'due south) credit card and why the transaction didn't go through. Nosotros'll embrace all standard — and less common — credit carte declined codes in detail, including what they mean and what you should do about each one.

Let's go!

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

What Is a Credit Menu Turn down Code?

A credit bill of fare turn down lawmaking is the code that appears on a credit card processor when a transaction, or payment, has been declined.

If y'all're in a store and can't get your credit card to work, you and the vendor will get an mistake that can direct you to what went wrong.

Y'all can as well become error codes when trying to make online purchases.

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

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

When yous accept this issue, y'all'll get a brusque mistake bulletin of ane to three numbers (or letters, in some cases).

This mistake message is what's known as a credit decline code. The code can explain what the bodily effect is… equally long as yous know what information technology means.

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

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

About Common Reasons a Card Is Declined

First off, allow's start by covering a few common reasons that a transaction might exist declined.

The problem can be something every bit simple equally the payment processor struggling with your bill of fare, insufficient funds, or an electronic issue connecting with your bank or credit card company.

Some of the most common carte decline reasons include:

  • Credit card verification fault (Code CV): There could be an event with your menu'due south microchip or magnetic strip, making it impossible to use for transactions.
  • Insufficient funds (Lawmaking 51): Y'all don't accept enough money in the accounts associated with your card (both credit and debit cards).
  • Exceeded credit limit (Code 65): Even if yous take money in your accounts, you need to pay it downwardly if y'all've exceeded the credit limit for the menu before you can employ it once more.
  • Expired card (Code 54): All credit cards have an expiration date, and trying to use a card afterward that date will give y'all an mistake message.
  • Transaction not permitted (Code 57): This occurs when yous try to utilise your carte for a transaction that is not immune (for example, if y'all've blocked online transactions or international payments).
  • Wrong menu number (Codes xiv & 15): There are two wrong ways to enter the card number improperly. If the very first digit is incorrect, you'll see mistake code xv for "no such issuers" since the first digit pinpoints the carte du jour's issuing bank. If you lot go any other incorrect numbers, you'll get error code 14 for entering an invalid carte number.
  • Wrong security code (Code 63): This occurs when y'all type the three-digit CVV or CVC code on the back of your card or the four-digit CID code on the front of your carte du jour 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 issues, you lot may also see error code 12 or error code 85. These simply denote an invalid transaction. Credit carte issuing banks oftentimes use these 2 errors as catch-all response codes, making it harder to know what's wrong.

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

If you didn't run across your fault code in this department, you could scan the table below, which includes over fifty credit carte du jour reject codes in numerical order, along with details as to why each lawmaking happens and how to set the problem.

Complete List Credit Carte Declined Codes

This table includes a listing of all credit carte du jour mistake 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 bank (Mastercard, Visa, Discovery, etc.) prevented the transaction without a specific reason. Call the bank and enquire them to explicate the event.
02 Refer to issuer (special status) The customer's bank prevented the transaction (similar to code 01). Use the number on the menu to call the bank and ask for an caption.
04 Choice up carte, concord call (no fraud unsaid) The client's bank prevented the transaction and is besides telling the merchant to concur the card. This doesn't imply fraud, simply rather overdrawn cards or expired ones. Call the bank to inquire why the selection-up find is showing up for your credit card.
05 Exercise not award The customer'southward banking company stopped the transaction and told the merchant to "not honor" the card (non to take payment). Telephone call the bank and ask for an explanation.
06 Other mistake The issuing bank can't specify the error, just something went wrong with the transaction. Try again, and phone call the bank if the outcome persists.
07 Pick up card, special condition (fraudulent) The customer's bank stopped the transaction because the bill of fare or bank account has been flagged every bit fraudulent. If you're the customer, call the bank immediately to clear up any potential issues. If you're the merchant, withhold the card until y'all can gain confirmation from the banking company and customer near their identity and the bill of fare's legitimacy.
10 Fractional approving The issuing banking company accepts a part of the payment but blocks the residuum, typically due to exceeding the credit limit or funds in the account. Phone call the bank to clear upwards the effect (and pay downwardly your credit if the credit limit is the issue).
12 Invalid transaction The transaction attempted is invalid. This could exist due to any number of faulty operations, including trying to refund a refund. Before you telephone call the bank, restart the transaction from scratch, and make certain all the information entered is right.
13 Invalid amount The amount y'all entered for the transaction was invalid, ordinarily due to a non-numerical symbol being entered along with the amount (e.grand., a dollar sign). Simply showtime the transaction over once again and exist careful to avoid using symbols when typing the amount.
fourteen Invalid card number The card number is invalid, and the credit card processor can't find the related business relationship. Start the transaction once again, and be careful to enter the digits accurately. If the issue persists, phone call the issuing bank.
15 No such issuer The first digit, which identifies the card'south issuing bank, was wrong. (Credit card-issuing banks take their own unique lawmaking that starts with the get-go digit — 3 for American Express, four for Visa, 5 for Mastercard, or 6 for Discover.) Carefully blazon the credit carte number again, making certain to include the offset digit correctly.
nineteen Re-enter An unknown error occurred. Restart the transaction and be careful to enter all the data correctly. If the event persists, call the card issuer.
28 No respond/response An error occurred during the transaction without the reason specified. Restart the transaction and be careful to enter all the data correctly. If the event persists, phone call the carte issuer.
41 Lost carte, choice upward The card's legitimate possessor 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 depository financial institution right away. If you're the merchant, ask the customer to use an alternate card or contact their banking concern.
43 Stolen card, pick up (fraud account) The legitimate possessor has reported the card as stolen, so the carte du jour issuer denied the transaction. If it's your own menu, you need to call the banking company ASAP with the number on the back of the card. If you're the merchant, ask them to use an alternate card or contact their bank.
51 Insufficient funds The carte du jour issuer is blocking the transaction because the account has already exceeded the credit limit, or the pending transaction would put the card over. Contact the bank with the number on the back of the card, use online cyberbanking to transfer funds to the card, or apply an alternate card.
54 Expired card The expiration date has already passed. Utilize a credit card that is however valid. (If you lot only have i, the new card should typically have arrived in the mail before the old one expires, so be certain to contact the bank.)
57 Transaction not permitted – Card This code shows up when yous're trying to use a card for a transaction that's specifically non allowed, like transferring funds to a foreign merchant account. Use an alternating card without such limitations, or call the issuing bank to clear up whether you accept the option to allow such transactions.
58 Transaction not permitted – Final If the merchant account connected to the terminal or payment processor is not properly configured, you'll meet this mistake. The merchant needs to call their bank to clear things up. If you're the customer, use an alternate payment method, like cash or check.
62 Invalid service code, restricted The invalid service code tin can refer to two specific situations.one: Yous're trying to process an American Express or Observe card, but the organisation doesn't support those card issuers.

2: You tried to pay for online purchase with a carte du jour that doesn't support online payments.

 Effort a credit card from a dissimilar issuer, like Visa. If the merchant advertises accepting payments from your card issuer, you need to contact the bank to ask most your bill of fare's configuration for online payments.
63 Security violation The three-digit CVV2 or CVC or the four-digit CID security code was incorrect or wasn't read properly. Restart the transaction from scratch and carefully type the correct security code.
65 Activity limit exceeded The credit card user has exceeded the credit limit (or this transaction would put them over). Employ another credit card. If you take no other cards, you lot can apply online or telephone banking to pay downwards the card before you try information technology again.
85 or 00 Issuer system unavailable This error code shows upwards when there'due south a temporary communication fault between the merchant and the issuing depository financial institution. Look a few moments, then get-go the transaction over from scratch.
85 No reason to decline The issuing bank tin can't place a specific problem, merely the transaction still didn't go through. Start the transaction once again from scratch, and if the issue persists, call the issuing depository financial institution.Yous can also try using some other credit carte du jour to see if the consequence is merchant-specific.
91 Issuer or switch is unavailable The concluding or payment processor was unable to complete the payment dominance. Kickoff the transaction from scratch, and if the problem persists, call the issuing banking company.
92 Unable to route transaction The terminal cannot reach the card issuer to process the transaction. Expect a few minutes and effort again. If the consequence persists, contact your banking concern.
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 avails have been frozen. If you mistakenly get this mistake lawmaking, call the issuing bank right away to clear up whatever issues.
96 Arrangement error There'due south a temporary event with the payment processor. Restart the transaction. If the issue persists, attempt another credit card.If zip works, information technology's likely an event with the merchant's payment processor.
RO or R1 Customer requested end of specific recurring payment Your customer has specifically asked to stop the recurring payment yous're trying to process. Starting time, cancel all scheduled future payments to avert chargebacks and related fees.If the customer is in alienation of contract, you'll demand to arrive touch with them to clear things upwards.
CV Card type verification error The card reader had a problem verifying the card. This could be an event with the microchip or the magnet strip. Try the age-sometime play a trick on of wiping the credit card against your shirt and advisedly swiping it once again.If that doesn't work, key in the number or contact the issuing banking company.
W1, W2, W9 Error connecting to banking company This tin can happen because of a power or service outage. Wait for the power to come up dorsum on, or look for news of local outages that might affect you lot.If there isn't whatsoever credible reason, contact your merchant bank.

Error Codes for Fraud

Whether y'all're a merchant or a cardholder, the worst-example scenario is when yous get an error code for fraud.

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Every bit a merchant, you want to avert chargebacks and related fees and damages. As a cardholder, you obviously don't desire to accept someone else using your card at volition.

But credit card fraud is a lot more common than you might think. In 2019, there were 271,823 cases of credit carte fraud in the Us solitary.

2019 US credit card fraud cases (Source: The Ascent)
2019 Usa credit card fraud cases (Source: The Ascent)

With hundreds of thousands of instances of credit carte du jour fraud each year, you need to be on the lookout for customers who aren't the real owners of the cards they're using. You likewise need to exist vigilant and aware of how your own cards are being utilized.

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

  • Code seven — Choice up the card, special condition (fraud account): The card issuer has flagged the business relationship for fraud and therefore denied the transaction.
  • Code 41 — Lost bill of fare, pick up (fraud account): The real owner reported this card as lost or stolen, and the carte issuer has blocked the transaction.
  • Code 43 — Stolen card, selection up (fraud account): The owner has reported the carte du jour stolen, and the issuing bank has blocked the transaction.
  • Code 215 — Lost/stolen card: The real cardholder has reported the card as lost or stolen, and the carte issuer blocks the transaction.
  • Code 534 — Do non award, high fraud: The transaction failed PayPal or Google Checkout risk modeling.
  • Lawmaking 596 — Suspected fraud: Again, the card issuer suspects fraud and has blocked the transaction.

Note: If you have payments online and y'all're worried about fraud and chargebacks, we've written a guide on how to reduce credit bill of fare fraud by upwards to 98%.

What Do I Do if My Credit Card Is Declined?

The first thing you should exercise when your credit card is declined is to await for the error code (or write information technology down if you're using the payment processor yourself).

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

Finally, you must have the appropriate action required to solve that particular consequence. That could be restarting the transaction, typing in everything advisedly, calling the banking concern, or trying another card.

Troubleshooting boils down to a uncomplicated three-step process:

  1. Ask for the declined code.
  2. Learn the meaning of the code.
  3. Take appropriate action (usually calling the issuing depository financial institution or trying another credit carte).

You may think that you've got your funds in lodge or that your credit carte limit hasn't been met, but it never hurts to check with the banking concern.

Nigh of us have multiple cards, and it can be hard to keep runway of them all. There are over one billion credit cards in apply in the US alone.

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 The states and in the world (Source: Shift)

So if you ever get an fault code when using one of your cards, avert moving straight to using the adjacent card. First, brand sure y'all contact the depository financial institution to find out the real state of affairs.

You don't want to go hit with unnecessary overdraft or tardily payment fees, or a nasty surprise pecker later on you've been the victim of fraud.

Credit Card Declined Codes FAQs

Are y'all yet confused most the error codes? Check out these frequently asked questions.

Why Is My Credit Card Declined When I Take Money?

There are a number of reasons why your credit card might exist declined, even though you lot have coin in your account:

  • Yous might have exceeded your credit limit. Unless you lot've set upward automated payments, you must articulate your credit card debt before you lot can utilize it again.
  • You lot could exist trying to utilise a credit carte for a transaction it's not approved for, like online payments or payments in a foreign country.
  • Your credit bill of fare number may have been flagged for fraud.
  • Yous may have typed in your credit card number, CVV2 code, or Pin incorrectly.
  • The issue peradventure with the merchant'due south terminal and not with your credit card at all.

What Does Credit Carte du jour Code 51 Mean?

The credit carte du jour declined code "51" means that you've exceeded your credit limit (if it's a credit carte) or run out of funds (if using a debit card).

Why Is My Carte Declined When I Order Online?

Your credit card tin exist declined for three potential reasons: account settings, lack of funds, and inaccurate data.

  1. Your credit menu may non be prepare upwardly to handle online payments. Contact your bank to confirm whether this is the example.
  2. You may exist entering the credit card number, CVV2, CVC, CID, PIN, or name incorrectly.
  3. You may not take enough funds remaining in your account or have exceeded your credit limit.

Don't let these credit carte du jour codes stop yous (or your customers!) from making online transactions đź™…‍♀️ Acquire what they mean & how to ready them here ⬇️ Click to Tweet

Summary

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

If you don't know which issue you're having, you might just use another credit menu and get on with your solar day. However, 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 bill of fare and has given you the knowledge needed to take advisable steps to fix the upshot.

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