There are a few different reasons why your credit card transactions might not process. Whether your card has expired, you’ve reached your credit limit or you encounter another common issue, you may be able to use your credit card again with a few changes.
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons your credit card might not be working and their solutions.
Common reasons a credit card might not work
Sometimes, your credit card won’t process, and there are a few different reasons why that might happen. Let’s examine some of the common instances.
The card is expired or not activated
Your credit card has an expiration date as an extra layer of protection against fraud. When your credit card expires, it typically becomes inactive, meaning your transactions won’t go through.
Likewise, if you haven’t activated your card, it generally won’t process. When you first receive a credit card, you may need to go to your card provider’s website, visit a branch or call a phone number to activate it.
The credit limit has been reached
After you’ve applied for a credit card, your issuer generally tells you that you may spend up to a certain amount, called a limit. Your limit is usually based on factors like your credit history, your credit report and your income. After you’ve reached your credit limit, your card may not process or you may be charged an overlimit fee.
The card issuer flagged suspected fraud
Card issuers may flag your card and prevent transactions from processing if they suspect fraud. This may be because you’re in a new location, you’re charging more than you usually do or there’s some other unusual activity. However, sometimes, your issuer may make a mistake, and your card might get flagged for a more routine transaction.
When your card gets flagged for unusual activity, your issuer may contact you to let you know that there’s a hold on a transaction, and you may need to verify that you used the card yourself. After verifying the card’s activity, you will generally be able to use it again.
The card details entered were incorrect (for online use)
Sometimes, a credit card transaction won’t go through because of user error. When you enter your card details online, make sure that you put the correct number, expiration date and card verification code.
Additionally, it’s important to enter up-to-date billing information. If the billing address you entered doesn’t match the one on your credit card account, the purchase may not go through.
There are merchant or technical issues
Card transactions sometimes won’t go through because a merchant’s system has technical errors. When there’s a Wi-Fi connection issue, for example, your card may not go through, which may not be the fault of your credit card.
If the merchant is facing issues with their card processor or has another technical issue, they may be able to take cash instead.
