PayPal · Decline codes
What does PayPal processor response code PPD3 mean?
Checked
PayPal processor response code PPD3 (SECURE_ERROR_3DS) means there was an error in the 3-D Secure step, the bank's cardholder check, so the payment didn't complete. The shopper should try again and finish the bank's verification, or use another card if the check keeps failing. Retrying without authentication won't work.
- PayPal label
- SECURE_ERROR_3DS
- Type
- Authentication needed
- Who declined
- The 3-D Secure process (via PayPal)
- Retry
- Only after the cardholder completes authentication
- Shopper action
- Try again and complete verification
- Merchant action
- Let the shopper re-authenticate
- PlatformDTC renewal
- No blind retry; customer asked to confirm with their bank
What PlatformDTC does
PlatformDTC treats PayPal PPD3 as authentication needed (authentication_required). No 3-D Secure prompt can reach a customer who isn't there, so on either retry schedule (the default Fixed schedule or Smart retry) a renewal declined this way is not retried blindly: it is held past due and the customer gets an email asking them to confirm the payment with their bank.
Why it happens
Something went wrong during 3-D Secure: the bank's page didn't load, the session timed out, or the response was invalid. PayPal's label doesn't specify.
What the shopper can do
Try again and complete the check your bank shows; or use another card.
What the store can do
Let the shopper restart payment so 3-D Secure can run again.
If PPD3 affects many orders, check your PayPal card fields' 3-D Secure setup.
For developers
PayPal returns PPD3 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 SECURE_ERROR_3DS.
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
- Is PPD3 a decline by the bank?
- It is an error in the authentication step, not a decision about the card's funds.
- Can a renewal be retried after PPD3?
- Not blindly. The customer needs to be present to authenticate.
Sources
Related
- 5650 — SCA required: the bank needs the cardholder to authenticate the payment.
- 7710 — Authentication failed: the 3-D Secure check didn't pass.
- PPEF — Expired funding instrument: the card or account used to pay has expired.
- PPEL — Exceeds frequency limit: too many payments in a period on this card.
- PPEX — Expiry date: the payment was refused over the card's expiry date.
- PPFR — Restricted funding instrument: the card or account has a restriction on it.
- INSTRUMENT_DECLINED — Instrument declined: the card or bank in the buyer's PayPal was refused.
- PAYER_ACTION_REQUIRED — Payer action required: the buyer must go back to PayPal to finish the payment.