What to do when a card is declined
A decline comes from the customer's bank, not from Stripe or the app. Here's what the common messages mean, including insufficient funds, and what to try next.
Last updated October 2026
Quick answer
A card decline comes from the customer's bank. For insufficient funds, ask for another card or payment method. For a decline with no clear reason, the customer needs to call their bank before you try again.
Official documentation: Stripe: decline codes
How to handle a declined card in Stripe
Follow these 4 simple steps to get up and running.
Read the decline message
The app shows the reason the bank sent back, like insufficient funds or an incorrect PIN. Stripe and the app only see that reason. The bank knows the full story.
Ask for another card if funds are short
The card doesn't have enough available balance for this sale. Ask for another card or payment method. Money the customer just deposited can still be pending at their bank, so their balance may look fine to them.
Have the customer call their bank
For general declines with no clear reason, only the card issuer can say why. The customer can call the number on the back of their card, then you can try the sale again.
Give the bank more to check
When you type in a card, add the cardholder's name and ZIP code. The more details the bank can verify, the more likely the charge goes through.
Common questions
Should I keep retrying a declined card?
Can I split the sale if the card is short?
Every card is getting declined. What should I check?
What does "card not supported" mean?
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