Stripe decline codes

Learn about Stripe decline codes and how to resolve them when a charge fails.

Stripe uses its own decline codes that cover many of the same potential reasons as issuer decline codes. Stripe’s decline codes expand on issuer decline codes by going into more detail about the specific reason for the decline. In addition to a decline code, an error can contain an advice_code with suggested next steps.

Other API errors

Some API errors include a code attribute to help you resolve them.

Card decline codes

These are the Stripe decline codes that are used for card payments:

Decline code	Description	Next steps

`authentication_required`	The card was declined because the transaction requires authentication such as 3D Secure.	When using Stripe’s front ends, in most cases a soft decline from an issuer triggers an authentication flow, allowing the customer to try again and authenticate their card. In some cases, such as off-session payments, you might need to ask the customer to retry. If the card issuer returns this decline code despite a successfully authenticated transaction, the customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
`authentication_not_handled`	Related to `authentication_required`. The customer tried to proceed without performing the required authentication, so the issuer declined again.	Run the EMV 3D Secure (3DS) or strong customer authentication (SCA) flow. For off-session payments, collect and prepare authentication on-session first, then fall back to on-session if needed.
`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 doesn’t 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 doesn’t 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.
Deprecated `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 identical amount and 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 it in the same manner as `generic_decline`.
`generic_decline`	The card was declined for an unknown reason or Stripe Radar or Adaptive Acceptance blocked the payment.	The customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
`incorrect_address`	The address entered by the customer is incorrect.	The customer needs to try again using the correct address.
`incorrect_cvc`	The CVC number is incorrect.	The customer needs to try again using the correct CVC.
`incorrect_number`	The card number is incorrect.	The customer needs to try again using the correct card number.
`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 to try again using the correct expiration date.
`invalid_number`	The card number is incorrect.	The customer needs to 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, present it as `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 it in the same manner as `generic_decline`.
`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).	The customer needs 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 payment method.
`processing_error`	An error occurred while processing the card.	Ask the customer to attempt the payment again. If it still can’t be processed, the customer needs to contact their card issuer.
`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.	Don’t report more detailed information to your customer. Instead, present it in the same manner as `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.
Deprecated `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.
`mobile_device_authentication_required`	The card was declined because the transaction requires authentication.	Ask the customer to retry the payment by tapping their mobile device again.

Local payment method decline codes

The following Stripe decline codes can be used for local payment method (LPM) payments:

Starting with API version 2026-09-30.endive, the related setting payments can return code_invalid, code_expired, insufficient_funds, customer_declined, payment_limit_exceeded, and partner_generic_decline. Older API versions return generic_decline for those the related setting failures.

Decline code	Charge outcome reason	Seller message	API error message

`partner_generic_decline`	`partner_generic_decline`	The payment provider has declined the payment.	The payment provider has declined the payment.
`customer_declined`	`generic_decline`	The customer declined the payment.	The customer declined this payment.
`code_invalid`	`generic_decline`	The the related setting code is invalid or malformed.	The code passed wasn’t a valid the related setting code.
`code_expired`	`generic_decline`	The the related setting code has expired, was already used, or exceeded its lifetime.	The code passed has expired. the related setting codes expire after 2 minutes, please request another code from the customer.
`invalid_customer_account`	`invalid_customer_account`	We can’t charge the customer’s account.	We can’t charge the customer’s account. Retry attempts might succeed after the customer takes action to resolve the issue with their account.
`payment_limit_exceeded`	`payment_limit_exceeded`	The order exceeds a limit on the customer’s account.	The order exceeds a limit on the customer’s account. Retry attempts might succeed after the customer takes action to resolve the issue with their account.
`invalid_billing_agreement`	`invalid_billing_agreement`	The customer’s billing agreement is invalid.	The customer’s payment method is invalid due to an invalid billing agreement. Retries won’t succeed.
`expired_card`	`partner_expired_card`	The card registered with the payment provider has expired.	The card registered with the payment provider has expired. Retry attempts might succeed after the customer takes action to resolve the issue with their account.
`processing_error`	`partner_processing_error`	The payment provider encountered a processing error.	The payment provider encountered a processing error.
`insufficient_funds`	`partner_insufficient_funds`	The customer has insufficient funds with the payment provider.	The customer has insufficient funds with the payment provider. Retry attempts might succeed after the customer takes action to resolve the issue with their account.
`currency_not_supported`	`partner_invalid_currency`	The payment provider doesn’t support this currency.	The payment provider doesn’t support this currency. Retries won’t succeed.
`invalid_amount`	`partner_invalid_amount`	The payment provider doesn’t allow the amount.	The payment provider doesn’t allow the amount. Retries won’t succeed.
`invalid_business_account`	`invalid_business_account`	The business account is deactivated.	The business account you’re trying to use for processing a payment or issuing a refund is deactivated and incapable of sending or receiving funds. If the account is reactivated, retry attempts might succeed.
`partner_high_risk_customer`	`partner_high_risk_customer`	The payment provider labeled this customer as high risk.	The payment provider labeled this customer as high risk.
`compliance_violation`	`compliance_violation`	The payment violates terms of service, program rules, or applicable laws.	The payment violates terms of service, program rules, or applicable laws. Retries won’t succeed.
`payment_disputed`	`payment_disputed`	There’s a dispute over the payment.	There’s a dispute over the payment. If the dispute resolves in favor of the business, retry attempts might succeed.
`invalid_authorization`	`invalid_authorization`	The authorization is invalid or has been revoked.	The payment didn’t receive authorization or has revoked its authorization. Retries won’t succeed.
`invalid_payment_information`	`invalid_payment_information`	The payment has invalid information.	The payment has invalid information. Retries won’t succeed.
`partner_payment_not_found`	`partner_payment_not_found`	The payment provider can’t find this payment.	The payment provider can’t find this payment.
`expired_payment_information`	`expired_payment_information`	The underlying payment instrument is expired.	The payment information has expired. Retry attempts might succeed after the customer updates their payment information.
`duplicate_transaction`	`partner_duplicate_transaction`	A transaction with identical details was submitted recently.	A transaction with identical details was submitted recently to the partner.
`recurring_not_supported_by_bank`	`recurring_not_supported_by_bank`	The customer’s bank doesn’t support recurring payments for this payment method.	The customer’s bank doesn’t support recurring payments for this payment method. Prompt the customer to select a bank that supports recurring payments.
`partner_action_not_supported`	`partner_action_not_supported`	The payment provider doesn’t support this action.	The payment provider doesn’t support this action. Retries won’t succeed.
`lost_or_stolen_card`	`lost_or_stolen_card`	The payment was declined because the card is reported lost or stolen.	The specific reason for the decline shouldn’t be reported to the customer. Instead, present it as `partner_generic_decline`.
`card_already_activated`	`card_already_activated`	The card has already been activated.	The card has already been activated. Retries won’t succeed.
`invalid_track_data`	`invalid_track_data`	The card data is incorrect.	The card data is incorrect. The customer needs to contact their card issuer to check that the card is working correctly.