← All Stripe decline codes

Stripe decline code

pin_try_exceeded

The customer has entered an incorrect PIN too many times; the card is temporarily locked.

Type

Hard decline

Recoverable

Partially recoverable

Frequency

Rare

What does pin_try_exceeded mean?

pin_try_exceeded is primarily an in-person (card-present) code but occasionally appears online for debit transactions. The card is locked until the customer unlocks it with their bank.

Recovery strategy

Retry approach

Do not retry. The card is locked until the customer acts.

Customer message

Ask the customer to contact their bank to unlock the card, then try again. Or offer to use a different payment method.

Best practices

  • Treat pin_try_exceeded as a hard decline for online recovery
  • Provide an alternative payment method option

About hard declines

Permanent issue. The card cannot be charged. Customer must provide a new payment method.

Frequently asked questions

Does pin_try_exceeded apply to online subscriptions?

Rarely. It is mostly a card-present code. When it does appear online, treat it like any hard decline: request a new payment method.

How Rebounce handles pin_try_exceeded

Automatic hard decline handling, no code required

Rebounce classifies every failed payment by its Stripe decline code and applies the optimal recovery strategy automatically. For pin_try_exceeded, that means a limited retry window combined with customer outreach. Multi-channel follow-up through email, SMS, WhatsApp, and in-app banners ensures the customer actually sees the message.

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