Why did my card payment fail when supporting a creator?

Having trouble supporting a creator with a card payment? Don’t worry! On Ko-fi, creators connect their own PayPal and/or Stripe accounts to accept card payments. This means that the issue could be on the creator’s end or yours but we’re here to help you get your payment through!

If you’re experiencing issues with payments using your PayPal account, check out our guide on common PayPal payment issues. And if a membership payment is overdue, please see our Supporter FAQs.

Fixing card payment issues

If a card payment doesn’t go through, you might see an error message like this:

• "Your payment could not be processed."
• "We could not process your payment at this time. Please try again later."

Sometimes, there’s no error message at all, but the payment still won’t go through.

If you're having trouble paying by card, here are some steps to help you sort things out:

1. Try a different browser or use private/incognito mode. Give the payment another go in a different browser or a private window. You could also try another device. If you're using the same device, clear your cache and history, then try again.

2. Disable any VPNs or pop-up blockers. Payment providers might require you to verify your identity (like a password, PIN, or code). Make sure nothing blocks this verification pop-up.

3. Double-check your payment details. Confirm your card details are correct, the card is still valid, and that the billing address matches the one linked to your card.

4. Check if your card supports foreign payments. If you're paying in a different currency, contact your bank to confirm if you need to authorize foreign transactions.

5. Check your payment provider on a desktop. Log in to your bank or card account to see if any notifications might be stopping the payment.

6. Confirm with your payment provider. Transactions can be blocked for security reasons, especially when there’s a change in your spending patterns or you’re paying a new recipient.

7. Try a different payment method. If one card isn’t working, switch to another. If available, you could also try PayPal.

8. Update your device and browser. Some payment windows require the latest version of your browser or device to function smoothly.

9. Wait if you’ve tried multiple times today. For security, multiple attempts in a short time may prevent payments from going through. Wait 24 hours before trying again.

10. Reach out to PayPal support. If you’re paying by card through PayPal, they may be able to help. Visit their support page or, for live chat, scroll to 'Recommended' and select 'Message us.'

    

Error when joining monthly memberships or recurring payments

For recurring support like memberships, be sure to use a bank card that allows subscriptions. Prepaid cards can’t be used for recurring payments.

Other reasons for payment failures

Here are some specific issues that might affect your payment:

🌍 Country restrictions

PayPal and Stripe have their own set of rules for sending and receiving money for each country. It's a good idea to check if PayPal supports transactions in your country and if your own payment card can make payments internationally. For example:

• In some countries, PayPal may not allow payments from supporters within the same country due to local restrictions.
• Certain countries restrict commercial transactions due to international regulations.

💳 Prepaid/gift cards

While PayPal and Stripe accept some prepaid or gift cards, not all are eligible. If your payment fails:

• Contact your prepaid card provider to confirm if it’s accepted by Stripe or PayPal and to check for any transaction blocks.
• Ensure your prepaid card is fully authorized by the card issuer. Some cards may require additional steps to activate.
• Remember, prepaid cards can’t be used for recurring payments like monthly memberships and subscriptions.

If you still have questions, feel free to reach out to our support team and let us know what you’ve tried.

What creators can check when supporters get an error

If a supporter’s payment isn’t going through, the issue might be with the creator’s payment account.

Account notices and restrictions: Log into your PayPal account or Stripe account on desktop. Check for any notifications or restrictions that might be affecting your ability to receive payments.

We're here if you need us. Feel free to send any questions our way. 💌

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