What do card machine error codes mean?

When a card-machine transaction cannot be completed, the terminal may display a response code. The code helps identify whether the issue relates to the card details, the card issuer, the original transaction, the terminal connection or another system check.

Important: A decline does not always mean there is a problem with the card machine. Do not repeatedly retry a declined payment unless the cardholder or their card issuer confirms that it is safe to do so.

How to use the response code

Find the exact code shown on the terminal or transaction record.
Use the code table to check the meaning and recommended action.
If the code relates to a decline or referral, ask the cardholder to contact their card issuer.
If the code relates to the terminal, connection or an unknown system error, contact the Service Logistics team.
When contacting support, provide the response code, transaction date and time, amount, terminal ID and transaction reference.

Response-code categories

Code family	What it generally means	Typical next step
Validation codes	The request contains missing, invalid or unsupported information.	Check the transaction details and retry only after correcting the information.
Decline codes	The issuer, scheme or transaction rules did not approve the payment.	Ask the cardholder to use another payment method or contact their card issuer.
Referral codes	The issuer requires additional checks.	Follow the referral guidance shown by the terminal or contact the issuer/acquirer as instructed.
Blocked or anti-fraud codes	The transaction was stopped by a fraud or security control.	Do not repeatedly retry. Review the fraud guidance or contact support.
Cancellation codes	The transaction or request was cancelled or expired.	Start a new transaction only if the customer still wants to proceed.
System or connection codes	The terminal, service or issuer did not respond correctly.	Check the connection and retry once. Contact Service Logistics if the issue continues.

Example response codes

Code	Meaning	What to do
Vx01	Invalid merchant details	Check that the terminal and merchant configuration are correct. Contact Service Logistics if the error continues.
Vx02	Invalid expiry date	Check the expiry date entered or ask the cardholder to use another card.
Vx06	Invalid card number	Check the card details and retry only after correcting them.
Vx13	Invalid amount	Check the amount and try the transaction again.
Dn01	Non-specific decline	Ask the cardholder to contact their card issuer or use another payment method.
Dn02	Declined due to insufficient funds or a card limit	Ask the cardholder to use another payment method or contact their issuer.
Rx01	Referral	Follow the referral instructions or ask the cardholder to contact their issuer.
Cx01	Transaction cancelled	Start a new transaction only if the customer still wants to proceed.
Sx01	Connection failure	Check the terminal connection and retry once. Contact Service Logistics if the issue continues.
Sx99	Unknown error	Retry once. If the error continues, contact Service Logistics and provide the transaction details.

What do card machine error codes mean?

Find out what a card-machine response code means and what action you may need to take