PayPal · Decline codes
What does PayPal processor response code 5100 mean?
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PayPal processor response code 5100 (GENERIC_DECLINE) means the card was declined without a specific reason. The bank or a risk check refused it and PayPal passed on only this general code. The shopper should try another card or ask their bank; the merchant can retry once after a pause, then should ask for a different payment method.
- PayPal label
- GENERIC_DECLINE
- Type
- Soft decline
- Who declined
- The card's bank or a risk check (via PayPal)
- Retry
- Once, after 2–3 days; a second refusal means ask for another payment method
- Shopper action
- Use another card or ask the bank
- Merchant action
- At most one retry, then another method
- PlatformDTC renewal (Smart retry)
- One retry after 48–72 hours, then an update-card request
What PlatformDTC does
PlatformDTC maps 5100 to generic_decline: the bank said no without a reason. With Smart retry on, a renewal gets a single retry after 48–72 hours, then the customer is asked for another way to pay. The merchant dashboard reads "The bank declined the payment without giving a reason."
Why it happens
A generic decline is what comes back when nobody in the chain will name the reason. It covers fraud filters, bank rules and limits alike.
What the shopper can do
Try a different card or your PayPal balance.
Your bank can explain the refusal and may approve a second attempt.
What the store can do
Make switching methods effortless at the point of decline.
Retry a saved card once at most; after that, ask the customer to update it.
For developers
PayPal returns 5100 in processor_response.response_code on the capture (purchase_units[].payments.captures[]) or authorization of a card payment. PayPal's own name for it is GENERIC_DECLINE.
Declined card payments can also carry payment_advice_code in processor_response, the card network's advice; store it next to the response code.
Frequently asked questions
- Why don't banks give a reason for 5100?
- For privacy and security, banks share the details of a decline only with their own cardholder.
- Should 5100 be treated like insufficient funds?
- No. PayPal has a separate code for that (5120). Without a stated reason, PlatformDTC allows one retry rather than the longer funds calendar.
Sources
Related
- 0500 — Do not honor: the card's bank refused the payment and gave no reason.
- 10BR — Issuer rejected: the card's bank turned the payment down.
- 9540 — Refused card: the card was refused for this payment.
- 5110 — CVV2 failure: the card's security code didn't match.
- 5120 — Insufficient funds: the card doesn't have enough money or credit for this payment.
- 5140 — Card closed: the card's account has been closed by the bank or cardholder.
- 5150 — Pick up card, special conditions: the bank wants this card out of use.
- 5160 — Unauthorized user: the person paying isn't authorized to use this card.