Stripe · Decline codes
What does the Stripe pin_try_exceeded decline code mean?
Checked
The Stripe decline code pin_try_exceeded means the allowable number of PIN tries was exceeded, so the bank has locked PIN use on the card. Stripe says the customer must use another card or payment method. It is mostly seen on in-person payments. The cardholder needs to contact their bank or follow its process to unlock or reset the PIN.
- Type
- Decline after failed PIN attempts
- Who declined
- The card's bank
- Retry
- Not with this card until the bank resets the PIN
- Shopper action
- Use another card; contact the bank to unlock the PIN
- Merchant action
- Offer another payment method
What PlatformDTC does
At checkout PlatformDTC treats pin_try_exceeded as never-retry and does not send it to the backup processor; the shopper is asked for another card. Renewals now follow the same rule, on the fixed schedule or with Smart retry: no automatic retry, the subscription is held past due and the customer gets a one-click link to add a different card. The raw network code 75 is handled the same way.
Why it happens
The wrong PIN was entered too many times. To protect the account, the bank stops accepting PIN payments on the card until the cardholder resolves it.
What the shopper can do
Pay with a different card now. Then contact your bank, or use its app or cash machine process, to unlock or reset the PIN.
For developers
decline_code = pin_try_exceeded. On Visa the raw code 75 means the allowable number of PIN entry tries was exceeded, a Category 2 code that Visa allows to be reattempted up to 20 times in 30 days. Don't prompt for another PIN on the same card; request a different payment method.
Frequently asked questions
- Can the store reset the customer's PIN?
- No. Only the card's bank can unlock or reset a PIN.
- Will pin_try_exceeded clear on its own?
- That depends on the bank's rules. Some unlock after a period or a successful PIN use at their own machines; the cardholder should ask the bank.
Sources
Related
- incorrect_pin — The PIN entered on a card reader is wrong.
- invalid_pin — The PIN entered is incorrect.
- offline_pin_required — In-person only: the card needs to be inserted and a PIN entered.
- online_or_offline_pin_required — In-person only: the card needs a PIN, by Online PIN or chip and PIN.
- processing_error — An error occurred while processing the card. Usually temporary.
- reenter_transaction — The bank couldn't process the payment for an unknown reason; try it again.
- restricted_card — The card can't be used for this payment; it may have been reported lost or stolen.
- revocation_of_all_authorizations — The bank declined; typically the cardholder has stopped all future payments.