Braintree Processor Declined Error

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Read the exact code

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   1. Open Control Panel > Transactions > the transaction
   2. Note the processor response code and text
   3. Look it up in Braintree's authorization responses reference
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Separate soft from hard declines

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   1. Soft declines (temporary) may succeed on retry
   2. Hard declines need the customer or their bank to act
   3. Do not retry Visa Category 1 codes (e.g. 2044, 2047, 2019, 2007, 2015)
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Limit retries

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   1. Cap retries at 15 per rolling 30 days for Visa categories 2-4
   2. Visa charges $0.10 domestic / $0.15 international for excess retries
   3. Use Smart Retries for subscriptions
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Ask the customer to try another card or call the bank

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   1. Offer PayPal or another payment method
   2. Ask the customer to authorize the charge with their bank
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

Transaction status Processor Declined with a code such as 2000, 2001, 2038 or 2046.

Why it happens

• Insufficient funds or bank fraud rules
• Incorrect card number or expiry
• Location-based bank decline
• Hard decline needing bank action

This guide also covers

• braintree processor declined
• braintree 2000 do not honor
• braintree error 2038

The same problem in other apps

All not loading, error messages & connection guides →

• PayPal Checkout Error: Something Went Wrong (PayPal)
• Square Reader Not Connecting (Square)

Other Braintree errors

• Braintree Gateway Rejected Error
• Braintree Fraud Rule Rejecting Good Payments
• Braintree 3D Secure Authentication Failed
• Braintree Payout Delayed or Missing
• Braintree Holding My Funds (Risk Hold or Reserve)
• Braintree Account Suspended or Closed
• Braintree Go Live: Sandbox Works but Production Fails
• Braintree Authorization Fingerprint Is Invalid