When a transaction cannot be processed, a processor error code can be found in the transactions details. The response text provided by the processor will offer further details. The following guide will help you to understand exactly what went wrong when a transaction fails. To use this guide, locate the error code that you received in the left-hand column; its meaning will be listed in the corresponding cell.
CautionIf you use Paysafe, or depending on your issuing bank’s security policies, two failed payment attempts can potentially block a client’s credit card for seven days. For more information regarding the security measures used by specific merchant processors, contact your merchant processor.
| Error code | Definition |
| 2 | The processor declined the transaction due to a failed Address Verification Service (AVS) check. AVS verifies that the billing address entered by a client is the same as the one associated with their credit card account. To resolve this issue, ask the client to confirm their billing address. If the address is the same as the one on their credit card account, the client must reach out to their credit card issuer. NoteWhen a transaction is declined because of a failed AVS check, the amount charged to the client’s credit card is held and released in 3–5 business days. |
| 5 | The processor declined the transaction. The client must call the bank that issues the card. |
| 7 | The processor declined the transaction because the merchant processing account type does not allow ACH transactions to be processed. |
| 14 | The processor has declined the transaction because the credit card number wasn’t entered correctly, or because the card doesn’t exist. To resolve this issue, please check the card details again or contact the cardholder’s credit card company for more information. |
| 17 | The processor declined the transaction because the issuing bank has returned an unknown response. If you use Paysafe, or depending on your issuing bank’s security policies, two failed payment attempts can potentially block a client’s credit card for seven days. It’s recommended for the client to use a different payment method upon receiving this error. To resolve this, the client must contact the cardholder’s credit card company for more information. |
| 46 | The processor declined the transaction because this credit card number is no longer valid. To resolve this issue, the client must process the payment using a different credit card or contact their credit card issuer. |
| 51 | The processor has declined the transaction because the account used has insufficient funds. The client must use a different payment method. |
| 61 | The processor has declined the transaction because the purchase amount exceeds the customer’s card limit. To resolve this issue, the client must reach out to their bank to request a card limit increase or use a different credit card. |
| 74 | The processor declined the transaction because the client’s name is missing. The client’s name is required to process the transaction. |
| 98 | The processor declined the transaction, citing the reason that an unsupported card type is being used. Often caused by VISA debit cards. |
| 200 | The transaction was declined by the processor for some reason. Any processor error code that begins with the number 2 and has three digits will fall under this reason, meaning that those errors are all caused by the processor declining the transaction. |
| 201 | The processor declined the transaction, citing the reason that the transaction should not be honored. |
| 202 | The processor declined the transaction because the account has insufficient funds. The client must use a different payment method. |
| 203 | The processor declined the transaction because the account used is over its limit. |
| 204 | The processor declined the transaction, citing the reason that the transaction is not allowed. |
| 220 | The processor declined the transaction because incorrect payment data was entered. Any processor error code that begins with 22 and has three digits will fall under this reason, meaning that those errors are all declined by the processor because incorrect payment data was used. |
| 221 | The processor declined the transaction because no such card issuer exists. |
| 222 | The processor declined the transaction because there is no card number on file with issuer. |
| 223 | The processor declined the transaction because the card is expired. |
| 224 | The processor declined the transaction because the expiration date is invalid. |
| 225 | The processor declined the transaction because the card security code is invalid. |
| 240 | The processor declined the transaction. You must call issuer for further information. |
| 250 | The processor declined the transaction. You must take the card. |
| 251 | The processor declined the transaction, citing the reason that the card has been reported lost. |
| 252 | The processor declined the transaction, citing the reason that the card has been reported stolen. |
| 253 | The processor declined the transaction, citing the reason that the card is fraudulent. |
| 260 | The transaction was declined. Further instructions are available in response text. Any processor error code that begins with 26 and has three digits will fall under this reason, meaning that those errors will come with instructions in the response text. |
| 261 | The transaction was declined. To process a transaction, you must stop all recurring payments. |
| 262 | The transaction was declined. To process a transaction, you must stop this recurring program. |
| 263 | The transaction was declined. To process a transaction, you must update cardholder data. |
| 264 | The transaction was declined. To process a transaction, you must retry in a few days. |
| 300 | The transaction was rejected by the gateway for some reason. Any processor error code that begins with the number 3 and has three digits will fall under this reason, meaning that those errors are all caused by the gateway rejecting the transaction. |
| 400 | The processor encountered an error due to invalid province code. |
| 410 | The processor encountered an error due to invalid merchant configuration. |
| 411 | The processor encountered an error because the merchant account is inactive. |
| 420 | The processor encountered an error due to a communication error. |
| 421 | The processor encountered an error due to a communication error with the issuer. |
| 430 | The processor encountered an error because a duplicate transaction already exists. |
| 440 | The processor encountered a processor format error. |
| 441 | The processor encountered an error due to invalid transaction information. |
| 460 | The processor encountered an error because the processor feature not available. |
| 461 | The processor encountered an error due to an unsupported card type. |
