> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.flycode.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.flycode.com/docs/read-more/stripe-decline-codes-reference-meaning-soft-or-hard-and-what-to-do.md). # Stripe decline codes reference: meaning, soft or hard, and what to do Every Stripe decline code in one table: meaning, soft or hard, whether to retry, and the recovery action to take, with links to full explainers for each code. {% hint style="info" %} **Quick answer:** A Stripe decline code is the processor's translation of the issuing bank's response. Soft codes (`insufficient_funds`, `try_again_later`, `issuer_not_available`, `processing_error`, most `generic_decline` and `do_not_honor`) are temporary and recover with well-timed retries. Hard codes (`expired_card`, `lost_card`, `stolen_card`, `pickup_card`, `invalid_account`, `do_not_try_again`, `revocation_of_authorization`) will not clear by retrying and need updated credentials or a new payment method. Retrying hard codes wastes network attempts and risks fines. {% endhint %} *Reference maintained by the FlyCode team. Last reviewed September 2026. For strategy and timing by code family, read the* [*Subscription payment decline codes guide*](/docs/subscription-payment-decline-codes-guide-for-stripe.md)*.* ## How to read this table * **Type**: Soft = temporary, retry is appropriate. Hard = permanent for this credential, do not retry; obtain updated credentials or a new method. Auth = the customer must complete authentication. N/A = does not occur on stored-credential subscription charges. * **Retry?**: whether an automated retry on the same payment method is worthwhile. * **FlyCode action**: what the recovery engine does by default for the code. * **Reference**: the full explainer for the code on flycode.com. ## Stripe decline codes A to Z | Stripe code | Meaning | Type | Retry? | FlyCode action | Reference | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------- | ---------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `approve_with_id` | Issuer could not authorize this attempt but may on another. | Soft | Yes | Timed retry. | [approve\_with\_id](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/approve-with-id) | | `authentication_required` | 3D Secure or SCA challenge needed. | Auth | No (silent) | Send authentication link by email or SMS. | [authentication\_required](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/authentication-required) | | `call_issuer` | Issuer declined without a reason; customer should contact bank. | Soft (unknown) | Cautious | One or two timed retries, then outreach. | [call\_issuer](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/call-issuer) | | `card_not_supported` | Card cannot be used for this type of purchase. | Hard | No | Request another payment method; try backup method. | [card\_not\_supported](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/card-not-supported) | | `card_velocity_exceeded` | Card hit a spending or transaction-count limit. | Soft | Yes, after 24 to 48 h | Delayed retry outside the limit window. | [card\_velocity\_exceeded](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/card-velocity-exceeded) | | `currency_not_supported` | Card does not support the charge currency. | Hard | No | Request another method; consider local currency billing. | [currency\_not\_supported](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/currency-not-supported) | | `do_not_honor` | Generic issuer refusal, no reason given. | Soft (generic) | Yes | Classify underlying cause from patterns; retry at predicted best time. | [do\_not\_honor](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/decline-code-do-not-honor) | | `do_not_try_again` | Issuer instructs merchant to stop. | Hard | Never | Backup method, then outreach for a new method. | [do\_not\_try\_again](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/do-not-try-again) | | `duplicate_transaction` | Same amount and card submitted very recently. | Soft | Check first | Verify whether the earlier attempt succeeded before any retry. | [duplicate\_transaction](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/duplicate-transaction) | | `expired_card` | Card credentials are no longer valid; the issuer has replaced them. | Hard | No | Rely on Card Account Updater and network tokens; then backup method; then update request. | [expired\_card](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/expired-card) | | `fraudulent` | Stripe Radar or the issuer suspects fraud. | Hard | Never | No retry; review in Radar if legitimate; outreach with generic wording. | [fraudulent](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/fraudulent) | | `generic_decline` | Unknown reason, or a Radar rule blocked it. | Soft (generic) | Yes | Classify from patterns; retry at predicted best time. | [generic\_decline](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/generic-decline) | | `incorrect_cvc` | CVC check failed. | Hard | No | Outreach: re-enter card details. | [incorrect\_cvc](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/incorrect-cvc) | | `incorrect_number` | Card number is wrong. | Hard | No | Outreach: re-enter card. | [incorrect\_number](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/incorrect-number) | | `incorrect_pin`, `invalid_pin`, `offline_pin_required`, `online_or_offline_pin_required`, `pin_try_exceeded` | PIN problems on card-present transactions. | N/A | N/A | Not applicable to subscriptions. | [incorrect\_pin](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/incorrect-pin) | | `incorrect_zip` | Postal code did not match. | Hard | No | Outreach: update billing address. | [incorrect\_zip](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/incorrect-zip) | | `insufficient_funds` | Not enough balance at this moment. Often 50 to 70 percent of subscription failures. | Soft | Yes | Retry around likely pay cycles at local morning hours; escalate to outreach only after timed retries. | [insufficient\_funds](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/insufficient-funds) | | `invalid_account` | Card or linked account is invalid or closed. | Hard | No | Backup method, then outreach. | [invalid\_account](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/invalid-account) | | `invalid_amount` | Amount invalid or over the allowed limit. | Soft | After check | Verify amount; split or retry after limit resets. | [invalid\_amount](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/invalid-amount) | | `invalid_cvc` | CVC value invalid. | Hard | No | Outreach: re-enter card. | [invalid\_cvc](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/invalid-cvc) | | `invalid_expiry_month`, `invalid_expiry_year` | Expiry values invalid. | Hard | No | Outreach: re-enter card. | [invalid\_expiry\_year](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/invalid-expiry-year) | | `invalid_number` | Card number invalid. | Hard | No | Outreach: re-enter card. | [invalid\_number](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/invalid-number) | | `issuer_not_available` | Issuer systems unreachable. | Soft | Yes, within hours | Short-delay retry; usually succeeds on the next attempt. | [issuer\_not\_available](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/issuer-not-available) | | `lost_card` | Card reported lost. | Hard | Never | Network tokens may update; else backup method, then outreach with generic wording. | [lost\_card](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/lost-card) | | `merchant_blacklist` | Card matches a block list on your Radar settings. | Hard | Never | Review your Radar lists; generic outreach. | [merchant\_blacklist](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/merchant-blacklist) | | `new_account_information_available` | Credentials have changed; new details exist at the issuer. | Hard | No | Card Account Updater or network token refresh, then retry with updated credentials. | [new\_account\_information\_available](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/new-account-information-available) | | `no_action_taken` | Issuer declined without detail. | Soft (unknown) | Cautious | Limited timed retries, then outreach. | [no\_action\_taken](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/no-action-taken) | | `not_permitted` | Payment not permitted for this card. | Hard | No | Backup method, then outreach. | [not\_permitted](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/not-permitted) | | `pickup_card` | Issuer wants the card retained (lost, stolen or fraud). | Hard | Never | No retry; backup method; generic outreach. | [pickup\_card](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/pickup-card) | | `processing_error` | Error while processing. | Soft | Yes, within 24 to 48 h | Timed retry; investigate if it repeats. | [processing\_error](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/processing-error) | | `reenter_transaction` | Issuer rejected; resubmitting may work. | Soft | Yes | Timed retry. | [reenter\_transaction](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/reenter-transaction) | | `restricted_card` | Card restricted (often lost or stolen). | Hard | No | Backup method; generic outreach. | [restricted\_card](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/restricted-card) | | `revocation_of_all_authorizations`, `revocation_of_authorization` | Cardholder revoked authorization for recurring charges. | Hard | Never | Stop charging; outreach to confirm intent and collect a new method if wanted. | [revocation\_of\_authorization](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/revocation-of-authorization) | | `security_violation` | Security rule at the issuer. | Hard | No | Backup method; outreach. | [security\_violation](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/security-violation) | | `service_not_allowed` | Service not allowed for this card. | Hard | No | Backup method; outreach. | [service\_not\_allowed](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/service-not-allowed) | | `stolen_card` | Card reported stolen. | Hard | Never | No retry; backup method; generic outreach. | [stolen\_card](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/stolen-card) | | `stop_payment_order` | Cardholder placed a stop order. | Hard | Never | Stop charging; outreach to confirm intent. | [stop\_payment\_order](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/stop-payment-order) | | `testmode_decline` | Test card used in live mode. | N/A | No | Not applicable. | [testmode\_decline](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/testmode-decline) | | `transaction_not_allowed` | Card cannot make this kind of transaction. | Hard | No | Backup method; outreach. | [transaction\_not\_allowed](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/transaction-not-allowed) | | `try_again_later` | Temporary issuer condition. | Soft | Yes, within hours | Short-delay retry. | [try\_again\_later](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/try-again-later) | | `withdrawal_count_limit_exceeded` | Card hit its transaction-count limit. | Soft | Yes, after 24 h | Delayed retry. | [withdrawal\_count\_limit\_exceeded](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes/withdrawal-count-limit-exceeded) | ## Network response codes you will see alongside Stripe codes Stripe also exposes the card network's response code on the charge outcome. The ones that matter most for subscriptions: | Network code | Name | Usual Stripe code | Type | | ------------ | -------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- | -------------- | | 05 | Do not honor | `do_not_honor`, `generic_decline` | Soft (generic) | | 14 | Invalid card number | `invalid_number`, `incorrect_number` | Hard | | 41 | Lost card | `lost_card` | Hard | | 43 | Stolen card | `stolen_card` | Hard | | 51 | Insufficient funds | `insufficient_funds` | Soft | | 54 | Card credentials no longer valid | `expired_card` | Hard | | 57 | Transaction not permitted to cardholder | `transaction_not_allowed` | Hard | | 59 | Suspected fraud | `fraudulent` | Hard | | 61 | Exceeds withdrawal amount limit | `card_velocity_exceeded` | Soft | | 65 | Exceeds withdrawal frequency | `withdrawal_count_limit_exceeded` | Soft | | 91 | Issuer or switch inoperative | `issuer_not_available` | Soft | | 96 | System malfunction | `processing_error` | Soft | | R0, R1, R3 | Stop payment, revocation of authorization(s) | `stop_payment_order`, `revocation_of_authorization` | Hard | Mastercard additionally returns Merchant Advice Codes (01 updated information needed, 02 try again later, 03 do not try again, 21 recurring payment cancelled) that override the retry decision. See [card network retry rules](/docs/read-more/card-network-retry-rules-for-failed-payments-visa-and-mastercard.md). ## FAQ ### Which Stripe decline codes should never be retried? `do_not_try_again`, `fraudulent`, `lost_card`, `stolen_card`, `pickup_card`, `stop_payment_order`, `revocation_of_authorization` and `revocation_of_all_authorizations`, plus anything carrying Mastercard advice code 03 or 21. Retrying them can trigger network fines and harms your authorization rate. ### Is `generic_decline` soft or hard? Usually soft: it is a catch-all that most often hides insufficient funds, a temporary hold or a risk threshold. Pattern analysis (time of day, day of month, BIN, history) tells the two apart; FlyCode's classifiers do this per merchant. ### Where do I see the network code in Stripe? On the charge or payment intent, under `outcome.network_decline_code` (API) or the payment details view in the dashboard. ## Related * [Subscription payment decline codes guide for Stripe](/docs/subscription-payment-decline-codes-guide-for-stripe.md) (strategy and timing by code family) * [Decline Codes Explained](https://help.flycode.com/decline-codes-explained) in the Help Center * [Full Stripe and Adyen decline code library](https://www.flycode.com/stripe/decline-codes) on flycode.com * [Failed payment recovery glossary](/docs/read-more/failed-payment-recovery-glossary.md) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. 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