Stripe · Decline codes
What does the Stripe do_not_try_again decline code mean?
Checked
Stripe lists do_not_try_again as a deprecated decline code meaning the card was declined for an unknown reason, and says the customer needs to contact their card issuer. Its name says the rest: do not resubmit the same charge on this card. Stripe now carries that instruction in a separate advice code, do_not_try_again, which means the card shouldn't be used again for the same transaction. Ask the customer for a different payment method.
- Type
- Hard decline
- Who declined
- The card's bank
- Retry
- No
- Shopper action
- Use another card, or contact the bank
- Merchant action
- Stop retrying this card for this payment
- Status
- Deprecated by Stripe
What PlatformDTC does
PlatformDTC's checkout treats do_not_try_again as never-retry and never offers a backup processor for it. On renewals it is never retried, on the fixed schedule or with Smart retry, whether it arrives as the decline code or as Stripe's do_not_try_again advice code (or Mastercard Merchant Advice Code 03 or 21) on any other decline. The subscription is held past due and the customer is asked for a new card.
Why it happens
The bank has decided this payment will not be approved and does not want it resubmitted. Stripe does not receive a more specific reason.
What the shopper can do
Pay with a different card or method. If you need this card, call the bank on the number on the back.
What the store can do
Stop automatic retries on this card for this payment and send the customer a link to update their payment method. Retrying against a stop instruction is what card-network fee programs target: Braintree notes Mastercard charges $0.10 for every reattempt beyond 10 in 24 hours after MAC 03 or 21.
For developers
Prefer charge.outcome.advice_code over the deprecated decline code: do_not_try_again, try_again_later or confirm_card_data. On Mastercard, network_advice_code 03 is "Do not try again" and 21 "Stop recurring payment".
Frequently asked questions
- Is do_not_try_again still used?
- Stripe marks the decline code as deprecated. The same instruction now comes as the advice_code do_not_try_again on the charge outcome.
- What happens if I retry anyway?
- The bank is likely to decline again, and repeated attempts after a stop instruction can draw card-network fees and raise your decline rate.
Sources
- Stripe decline codes — Stripe
- Card declines and retries — Stripe
- Merchant Advice Codes — Braintree (PayPal)
Related
- do_not_honor — The bank declined the card without saying why.
- revocation_of_authorization — The bank declined; typically the cardholder revoked payments to this store.
- stop_payment_order — The bank declined; the code's name points to a stop-payment order on the card.
- generic_decline — Declined for an unknown reason, or blocked by Stripe Radar or Adaptive Acceptance.
- duplicate_transaction — An identical payment on the same card was submitted moments ago.
- expired_card — The card is past its expiry date.
- fraudulent — Stripe's fraud checks suspected the payment was fraudulent and blocked it.
- incorrect_address — The billing address entered doesn't match the bank's records.