Failure Codes

This guide explains what each of the failure codes Finix uses means.


When a transaction gets declined, Finix lets you know by returning a failure_code and failure_message. The failure_message in the response explains the steps you need to take to complete the payment.

Failure Code Changes

failure_codes will never change without advanced notice. However, failure_messages are subject to change and improvements.


Payment Failure Codes

Note that failure codes with asterisks will disable the Payment Instrument.

Failure Code Failure Message
ADDRESS_VERIFICATION_FAILED_RISK_RULESThe Risk Rules associated to the Merchant declined the transaction. The cardholder needs to create a card with the correct address.
AUTHORIZATION_EXPIRED_OR_ALREADY_CAPTUREDThe authorization is either expired or has already been captured. The cardholder needs to create a new authorization.
BANK_ACCOUNT_CLOSEDThe bank account has been closed. Contact the account owner and get another method of payment that's active.
BANK_ACCOUNT_FROZENThe bank account is frozen. Contact the account owner and get another method of payment.
CALL_ISSUERThe card was declined for an unknown reason. The cardholder needs to contact their card issuer for more information.
CANCELLATION_VIA_APIThe transaction was canceled via API before the transaction was completed. The cardholder needs to attempt the transaction again.
CANCELLATION_VIA_DEVICEThe cancel button was pressed on the device before the transaction was completed. The cardholder needs to attempt the transaction again.
*CARD_ACCOUNT_CLOSEDThe card account has been closed. The cardholder should use an active card.
CARD_NETWORK_ERRORThere is a problem with the card network. Contact the network for more information.
CARD_NOT_SUPPORTEDThe card does not support this type of purchase. The cardholder needs to contact their issuing bank to make sure their card can be used to make this type of purchase.
CARDHOLDER_PREVENTED_RECURRING_TRANSACTIONCardholder requested that recurring or installment transaction to be stopped.
COMMUNICATION_ERRORThere was a network communication error with the host. Check your network connection and retry the transaction.
CVV_FAILED_RISK_RULESThe Risk Rules associated with the Merchant declined the transaction. The cardholder needs to create a card with the correct CVV.
DEVICE_IN_USEThe device is currently processing a request. Attempt a request again once the request is complete, or within 6 minutes.
DEVICE_NOT_CONNECTEDThe payment terminal isn't connected to a network. Connect the payment terminal to a network and reattempt the transaction.
DO_NOT_HONORThe card was declined for an unknown reason. The cardholder needs to contact their issuing bank for more information.
DUPLICATE_TRANSACTIONA transaction with the same amount and card was approved recently and marked as a duplicate. If this duplicate transaction was intentional, set check_for_duplicate_transactions to false.
EXCEEDED_CARDHOLDER_INPUT_TIME_LIMITThe cardholder failed to swipe, tap, or dip the card in the expected time window. The cardholder needs to attempt the transaction again.
EXCEEDS_APPROVAL_LIMITThe transaction was declined because it exceeded the daily approval limit for the card. The cardholder needs to use a different card.
EXCEEDS_WITHDRAWAL_FREQUENCY_LIMITThe card has exceeded its withdrawal frequency limit. The cardholder needs to use a different card.
EXPIRED_CARDThe card has expired. The cardholder needs to use another card that's not expired.
FRAUD_DETECTEDThe card was declined for fraud by the processor. The customer should contact their card issuer for more information.
GENERIC_DECLINEThe transaction was declined for an unknown reason. The account owner needs to contact their issuer for more information.
INACTIVE_CARDThe card is inactive. The cardholder needs to activate the card or use an active card.
INCOMPLETE_TRANSACTIONThe transaction was not completed by the cardholder. The cardholder needs to reattempt the transaction.
INSUFFICIENT_FUNDSThe account has insufficient funds for the transaction. The account holder needs to use another method of payment.
*INVALID_ACCOUNT_NUMBERThe card number is not valid. The cardholder needs to contact their issuing bank for more information or use another card.
INVALID_AMOUNTThe amount exceeds the amount that is allowed on the card. The cardholder needs to check with their issuing bank to see if they can make purchases of that amount.
INVALID_BANK_ACCOUNT_NUMBERThe bank account number is not valid. The account holder needs to use a valid account number.
INVALID_BANK_ACCOUNT_VALIDATION_CHECKThe provided bank account cannot be used because the routing number is no longer valid. Please check that the account holder's routing number and account are correct or attempt with another bank account.
INVALID_CARDThe card is invalid. The cardholder needs to use another card that is not invalid.
INVALID_CVVThe CVV number is invalid. The cardholder needs to attempt the transaction again using the correct CVV.
INVALID_ISSUERThe card number is not associated to a valid card issuing bank. The cardholder needs to contact their issuing bank.
INVALID_ROUTING_NUMBERThe bank routing number provided is invalid. The bank account holder needs to provide a valid routing number.
INVALID_TRANSACTIONThe transaction is not permitted by the issuing bank. The cardholder needs to contact their issuing bank for more information.
*LOST_OR_STOLEN_CARDThe transaction was declined because the card is reported lost or stolen. Do not return the LOST_OR_STOLEN_CARD failure_code and failure_message to cardholders. Instead, return a generic decline.
MAX_TRANSACTION_AMOUNT_EXCEEDEDThe transaction was declined because it exceeded the max transaction amount that's associated with the Merchant . The cardholder needs to reprovision the Merchant with a higher max transaction amount or create a transaction with a lower amount.
NO_BANK_ACCOUNT_FOUNDThe account number is valid; however, the number doesn't correspond to the account holder or it's not an open account. The account holder needs to reenter their information with the correct details.
NON_TRANSACTION_ACCOUNTThis is a non-transaction account that limits or prevents transactions Contact your customer and request permission to charge a different bank account.
PAYMENT_STOPPEDThe customer has stopped the payment with their bank. Contact the customer for details and to arrange payment.
*PICK_UP_CARDThe card has been reported as lost or stolen by the cardholder. The cardholder needs to contact their issuing bank.
RESTRICTED_CARDThe card has a restriction preventing approval for this transaction. Please contact the issuing bank for a specific reason.
RESUBMIT_TRANSACTIONThe transaction couldn’t be processed by the issuer for an unknown reason. The cardholder needs to attempt the transaction again. If the transaction is declined again, the cardholder should contact their issuing bank.
TRANSACTION_NOT_PERMITTEDThe transaction was declined because the card or transaction type is not permitted. The cardholder needs to use a different type of card or attempt a different transaction method.

Push-to-Card Errors

Below are the different error values that the messages attribute can return for Push to Card.

Error Code Messages
ALLOWABLE_NUMBER_OF_PIN_ENTRY_TRIES_EXCEEDEDThe maximum permitted number of PIN entry attempts has been exceeded. Please use another payment method.
CANNOT_VERIFY_PINThe PIN is invalid or missing. Please try again with the correct PIN.
CARD_AUTHENTICATION_FAILEDPlease contact card issuer for more information.
CRYPTOGRAPHIC_ERROR_FOUND_IN_PINThe supplied PIN is invalid.
DO_NOT_HONORPlease contact card issuer for more information.
ERRORPlease attempt transaction again but if it still cannot be processed try again at a later time.
EXCEEDS_APPROVAL_AMOUNT_LIMITTransaction violates issuer amount limit. Please contact card issuer for more information or try with another card.
EXCEEDS_WITHDRAWAL_FREQUENCY_LIMITPlease attempt with another card or contact card issuer for more information.
EXPIRED_CARDThe expiration date is expired or missing. Please correct and try again.
FILE_TEMPORARILY_NOT_AVAILABLEPlease contact card issuer for more information.
FINANCIAL_INSTITUTION_NOT_FOUNDThe issuer can not be found. Please check card number to ensure it is valid.
INCORRECT_PINThe PIN is invalid or missing. Please try again with the correct PIN.
INVALID_ACCOUNT_NUMBERThe account number does not exist. Please make sure the account number is correct or contact your issuer.
INVALID_AMOUNT_OR_CURRENCYTransaction violates network amount limit.
INVALID_MERCHANTMerchant not permitted for this transaction type.
INVALID_TRANSACTIONIssuing bank does not support this transaction type on this card. Please contact card issuer for more information.
ISSUER_INOPERATIVEPlease attempt transaction again and contact card issuer if it still cannot be processed.
LOST_CARD_PICK_UP_FRAUD_ACCOUNTPlease contact card issuer for more information.
NEGATIVE_RESULTSInvalid security code.
NO_ACTION_TAKENPlease contact card issuer for more information.
NO_CHECKING_ACCOUNTThe card is not tied to a checking account and thus cannot be processed. Please try another card.
NO_CREDIT_ACCOUNTIssuer has declined the transaction because the card is not a credit account. Please try another card.
NO_SAVINGS_ACCOUNTThe card is not tied to a savings account and thus cannot be processed. Please try another card.
NO_SUCH_ISSUERThe issuer can not be found. Please check card number to ensure it is valid.
NOT_SUFFICIENT_FUNDSCard issuer has declined the transaction as it does not have sufficient funds.
PICK_UP_CARD_FRAUD_ACCOUNTPlease contact card issuer for more information.
PICK_UP_CARD_NO_FRAUDPlease contact card issuer for more information.
RE_ENTER_TRANSACTIONPlease attempt transaction again and contact card issuer if it still cannot be processed.
REFER_TO_CARD_ISSUERPlease contact card issuer for more information.
RESTRICTED_CARDCard not supported in this region or country. Please contact card issuer for more information.
STOLEN_CARD_PICK_UP_FRAUD_ACCOUNTPlease contact card issuer for more information.
STOP_PAYMENT_ORDERPlease contact card issuer for more information.
SURCHARGE_AMOUNT_NOT_SUPPORTEDThe supplied surcharge amount is not supported by the issuer.
SUSPECTED_FRAUDPlease contact card issuer for more information.
TRANSACTION_AMOUNT_EXCEEDS_PREAUTHORIZED_APPROVAL_AMOUNTTransaction violates amount limit.
TRANSACTION_DOES_NOT_FULFILL_AML_REQUIREMENTThis transaction does not fulfill compliance requirements and cannot be processed.
TRANSACTION_NOT_COMPLETED_LAW_VIOLATIONThe transaction cannot be completed because it violates a law.
TRANSACTION_NOT_PERMITTEDTransaction not permitted to cardholder. Please contact card issuer for more information.
UNABLE_TO_LOCATE_RECORDThe account number does not exist. Please make sure the account number is correct or contact your issuer.