Decline code
Processing error: what it means and what to do
An error occurred while processing the card. Stripe’s first advice is to try again, which is what a timed retry does.
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What it means
Stripe returns processing_error when an error occurred while processing the card.
It points to something going wrong in handling the payment, which makes it a different kind of decline from one that names a problem with the card or the balance.
From Stripe’s decline codes and card declines docs.
Should you retry it?
It isn’t on Stripe’s list of hard declines, and Stripe’s first suggestion is to try the payment again. If it still can’t be processed, the customer needs to contact their card issuer.
From Stripe’s Smart Retries and card declines docs.
What to do about it
What the customer needs to do
- Nothing at first. Stripe’s advice is to attempt the payment again.
- If it keeps failing, contact the card issuer, which is Stripe’s next step.
What you can do
- Let the retry run before you contact the customer about it.
- If many payments fail with this code at the same time, check Stripe’s status page before blaming the cards.
What Dunity does
- Dunity records the decline code and emails your customer once, with a link to update their card. It then retries the charge 24 hours later, up to 5 attempts.
- A processing error gets the standard retry timing.
- The dashboard files it under “Retry-worthy”.
What Dunity does is read from its code, not assumed. The whole flow is on how Dunity works, and every code is on the decline codes hub.
Related decline codes
Processing error questions
What people ask about this code.
Is a processing_error the customer’s fault?
Stripe describes it as an error that occurred while processing the card and suggests trying again first. Only if it keeps happening does the customer need to contact their bank.
How soon does Dunity retry a processing_error?
After 24 hours by default, then again on your schedule, up to 5 attempts. Stripe’s own retries may run in between.