Stripe · Decline codes
What does the Stripe incorrect_pin decline code mean?
Checked
Stripe's incorrect_pin decline code means the PIN entered is incorrect. Stripe says this decline code only applies to payments made with a card reader, so it is an in-person payment issue, not an online checkout one. The customer needs to try again using the correct PIN. After too many wrong attempts the bank may block PIN use, which shows up as a different code, pin_try_exceeded.
- Type
- Data error
- Who declined
- The card's bank
- Where
- Card-reader (in-person) payments only, per Stripe
- Retry
- Yes, with the correct PIN
- Shopper action
- Re-enter the PIN carefully, or pay another way
- Merchant action
- Let the customer try again on the reader
What PlatformDTC does
incorrect_pin is never moved to a backup processor at checkout, and the shopper is asked for another card. Because online renewals cannot take a PIN, a renewal declined this way is never retried, on the fixed schedule or with Smart retry: the subscription is held past due and the customer gets a one-click link to add a different card.
Why it happens
The customer typed the wrong PIN on the card reader.
What the shopper can do
Enter the PIN again slowly. If you are unsure of it, pay with another card or method to avoid locking the card.
What the store can do
Allow another attempt on the reader. Repeated wrong PINs can lead to pin_try_exceeded, after which the customer needs another card.
Frequently asked questions
- Can incorrect_pin happen on an online payment?
- Stripe says this decline code only applies to payments made with a card reader.
- What happens after too many wrong PINs?
- The bank can block further PIN attempts, which Stripe reports as pin_try_exceeded. The customer then needs another card or payment method.
Sources
- Stripe decline codes — Stripe
Related
- invalid_pin — The PIN entered is incorrect.
- pin_try_exceeded — Too many wrong PIN attempts; the customer must use another card or method.
- offline_pin_required — In-person only: the card needs to be inserted and a PIN entered.
- incorrect_zip — The billing postal code doesn't match the bank's records.
- insufficient_funds — The card doesn't have enough money or credit for this payment.
- invalid_account — The card or the account behind it is no longer valid.
- invalid_amount — The payment amount is invalid or above what the card allows.
- invalid_cvc — The card's security code (CVC) is incorrect.