---
title: "Declines"
description: "Error codes, decline codes, and address and security code results, the same for every gateway."
image: "https://docs.ordercard.io/og.png"
---

> Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ordercard.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Declines

Every gateway reports declines differently. OrderCard maps each one onto the same codes, so your handling does not depend on which gateway you charge through. A transaction that did not succeed has:

- `status`: `declined` when the issuer or gateway said no, `failed` when it could not be processed.
- `response.error_code`: the category (see [Errors](/api/errors)).
- `response.decline_code`: the reason, when there is one.
- `response.message`: a short message that is safe to show the customer.
- `response.gateway_message`: the gateway's own words, for your logs and support.

## Decline codes

| Decline code | Meaning | What to tell the customer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `generic_decline` | The issuer declined without saying why. | Use another card or contact the bank. |
| `insufficient_funds` | Not enough money or credit. | Use another card. |
| `do_not_honor` | The issuer declined. | Contact the bank. |
| `call_issuer` | The issuer wants to speak to the cardholder. | Contact the bank. |
| `lost_card`, `stolen_card`, `pickup_card` | The card was reported lost or stolen, or must be kept. | Use another card (do not say why). |
| `fraudulent` | The issuer suspects fraud. | Use another card. |
| `restricted_card` | The card cannot be used for this kind of purchase. | Use another card. |
| `transaction_not_allowed` | The card or account does not allow this transaction. | Use another card. |
| `card_not_supported` | The gateway or merchant account does not take this card type. | Use another card. |
| `card_velocity_exceeded` | Too many attempts or over a limit. | Try again later or use another card. |
| `expired_card` | The card has expired. | Check the expiry date. |
| `incorrect_cvc` | The security code is wrong. | Check the security code. |
| `incorrect_number` | The card number is wrong. | Check the number. |
| `address_verification_failed` | The billing address does not match the card. | Check the billing address. |
| `invalid_amount` | The amount is not acceptable to the issuer. | |
| `duplicate_transaction` | The gateway saw the same charge moments ago. | Check whether the first one went through. |
| `processing_error` | The processor failed. | Try again. |
| `try_again_later` | The issuer is temporarily unavailable. | Try again later. |

## Address verification (AVS)

`response.avs_code` is the gateway's raw code and `response.avs_result` the normalized result:

| `avs_result` | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| `match` | Street and postal code match. |
| `street_only` | The street matches, the postal code does not. |
| `postal_only` | The postal code matches, the street does not. |
| `no_match` | Neither matches. |
| `unavailable` | The issuer could not check. |
| `not_checked` | No address was sent, or the gateway did not check. |

## Security code (CVV)

| `cvv_result` | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| `match` | The security code matches. |
| `no_match` | It does not match. |
| `unavailable` | The issuer did not check it. |
| `not_checked` | No security code was sent, as for merchant-initiated charges. |

Most issuers approve charges even when AVS or CVV do not match; the result is information for you. If your policy is stricter, void the authorization when the results are not acceptable. The card keeps its last results in `checks` so you can see them without opening transactions.

Source: https://docs.ordercard.io/payments/declines/index.mdx