PayPal · Decline codes
What does PayPal processor response code PPAB mean?
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PayPal processor response code PPAB (ACCOUNT_BLOCKED_BY_ISSUER) means the bank that issued the card has blocked the account, so payments are declined. Only the bank can lift it. The shopper should contact their bank or pay with a different card; merchants should not keep retrying the blocked card.
- PayPal label
- ACCOUNT_BLOCKED_BY_ISSUER
- Type
- Hard decline
- Who declined
- The card's bank (via PayPal)
- Retry
- No, not on the same card
- Shopper action
- Contact the bank or use another card
- Merchant action
- Don't retry; ask for another method
- PlatformDTC renewal
- No retry; one-click update-card link and reminders
What PlatformDTC does
A PayPal card payment declined PPAB is stored by PlatformDTC as invalid_account and counted as permanent. On either retry schedule (the default Fixed schedule or Smart retry), automatic renewal attempts stop at once, the subscription is held past due rather than cancelled, and the customer is emailed a one-click way to add a new card.
Why it happens
The issuing bank put a block on the account. PayPal doesn't say why; banks discuss such reasons only with their cardholder.
What the shopper can do
Call your bank to ask about the block, and use another card meanwhile.
What the store can do
Ask for a different payment method.
On subscriptions, send an update-card request instead of retrying.
For developers
PayPal returns PPAB 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 ACCOUNT_BLOCKED_BY_ISSUER.
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
- Can a store get PPAB unblocked?
- No. Only the cardholder can sort it out with their bank.
- Will PlatformDTC keep retrying a blocked account?
- No. It records it as invalid_account, a hard decline, so with Smart retry on there is no retry.
Sources
Related
- PPFR — Restricted funding instrument: the card or account has a restriction on it.
- 5180 — Invalid or restricted card: this card can't be used; PayPal says try another.
- 9510 — Security violation: the payment broke a security rule and was declined.
- PPAD — Billing address: the payment was refused over the billing address.
- PPAX — Amount exceeded: the payment is over a limit on the card or account.
- PPCT — Card type unsupported: this type of card isn't accepted for the payment.
- PPD3 — 3-D Secure error: the card authentication step had an error.
- PPEF — Expired funding instrument: the card or account used to pay has expired.