PayPal · Decline codes
What does PayPal processor response code 9540 mean?
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PayPal processor response code 9540 (REFUSED_CARD) means the card was refused. PayPal's label carries no specific reason, so treat it like a general bank decline: the shopper should try another card or ask their bank. Merchants can try once more after a pause, but should switch to asking for a different payment method if it repeats.
- PayPal label
- REFUSED_CARD
- Type
- Soft decline
- Who declined
- The card's bank (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 records PayPal 9540 as card_declined, a bank refusal with no stated reason. With Smart retry on, a subscription renewal declined this way gets exactly one more attempt 48–72 hours later at the store's local charge hour. If the bank refuses again, retries stop and the customer is emailed a one-click link to add a new payment method. The raw 9540 stays in the failure message for support.
Why it happens
The card was refused without a stated reason, which hides the bank's actual decision.
What the shopper can do
Pay with another card or your PayPal balance; your bank can explain the refusal.
What the store can do
Offer another method on the decline screen.
On saved cards, retry once and then request a card update.
For developers
PayPal returns 9540 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 REFUSED_CARD.
Keep the raw code with the order. PayPal's label is the only official meaning, and the exact code tells support which branch of PayPal's table fired.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 9540 and 5100?
- PayPal labels 9540 REFUSED_CARD and 5100 GENERIC_DECLINE. Neither gives a reason; both deserve one retry at most.
- Does 9540 mean the card is blocked forever?
- Not necessarily. Without a reason it may be temporary, which is why one later retry can work.
Sources
Related
- 5100 — Generic decline: the card was refused and no reason was given.
- 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.
- 00N7 — CVV2 failure, retry with CVV: the security code failed; try again with the right one.
- PCVV — CVV failure: the card security code check failed.
- PP06 — Account closed: a previously open account is now closed.
- PPRN — Reattempt not permitted: another attempt on this payment isn't allowed.
- PPAB — Account blocked by issuer: the card's bank has blocked the account.