Common mobile money transaction errors

Updated 29 months ago

This article outlines some common mobile money transaction errors and their causes to help you guide your customer if a transaction error occurs.

Transaction error

Reason

[Controller - ]Activity timed out

The customer didn't complete the transaction within the stipulated time (10 mins). The customer should retry the transaction

[Controller - ]An IOException was thrown while trying to execute the Http method

An Internal system error occurred while processing the transaction. The customer should retry the transaction after some time or use a different payment method.

[Controller - ]Internal Server Error

An Internal system error occurred while processing the transaction. The customer should retry the transaction after some time.

[Controller - ]System internal error.

An Internal system error occurred while processing the transaction. The customer should retry the transaction after some time or use a different payment method.

[Controller - ]The Http Server replied with a 5XX status code

An Internal system error occurred while processing the transaction. The customer should retry the transaction after some time or use a different payment method.

[MpesaCB - ]Declined due to limit rule: would exceed the daily transfer limit.

The customer attempted a transaction that exceeded their daily transfer limit. The customer should contact their provider to increase their limit

[MpesaCB - ]External validation failed for the C2B transaction.

The customer's authentication failed.

[MpesaCB - ]System internal error.

An Internal system error occurred while processing the transaction. The customer should retry the transaction after some time.

[MpesaCB - ]The balance is insufficient for the transaction.

This means the customer does not have sufficient funds to complete the transaction. The customer needs to credit their account before retrying the transaction.

[MpesaCB - ]The initiator information is invalid.

This means there was a mismatch in the data provided by the user in the request. The customer should re-check their account details before retrying the transaction

[MpesaCB - ]The initiator is not allowed to initiate this request.

The customer is not allowed for this type of transaction. The customer should contact their provider for more information

[STK_CB - ]Internal error occured, while executing the transaction

An Internal system error occurred while processing the transaction. The customer should retry the transaction after some time.

[STK_CB - ]Request cancelled by user

This means that the customer canceled the transaction. The customer should retry the transaction

[STK_CB - ]SMSC ACK timeout.

It means that the STK Push Prompt got to the customer but the response by the customer was not sent back on time.

[STK_CB - ]Transaction expired. No MO has been received

The customer didn't complete the transaction within the stipulated time (10 mins). The customer should retry the transaction

[STK_CB - ]Unable to lock subscriber, a transaction is already in process for the current subscriber

This means the user already has another STK Prompt currently active on their mobile phones. The customer should try again after 2-3 minutes

ACCOUNTHOLDER_WITH_FRI_NOT_FOUND

The customer's authentication failed. The customer should check their details before retrying the transaction.

An internal error caused the operation to fail

An Internal system error occurred while processing the transaction. The customer should retry the transaction after some time.

Bad authentication.

The customer's authentication failed. The customer should check their details before retrying the transaction.

Bad Request - Invalid Timestamp

An invalid timestamp has been passed through the gateway. The customer should retry the transaction. If they were charged, please reach out to hi@flutterwavego.com stating the customer's transaction details i.e. screenshot of the debit and txn ref

Dear Customer, you have insufficient funds. Available Balance : {AvailableBalance} .5 successive invalid transfers will lock your wallet. Call 100 to locate an agent.

This means the customer does not have sufficient funds to complete the transaction. The customer needs to credit their account before retrying the transaction.

Deposit Transfer not processed: Sender account not active

The customer entered an incorrect sender username. The customer should check their details before retrying the transaction.

Deposit Transfer not processed: Source account not active|RaveByFlutterwave

This means the account is not active. The customer should retry the transaction using an alternate account or contact their provider.

Deposit Transfer not processed: Source account not active|Triafor Solutions Limited

This means the account is not active. The customer should retry the transaction using an alternate account or contact their provider.

Error occured while connecting to provider

The customer should retry the transaction

FAILED

This means that based on technical or temporary reasons, the service provider/Telecom declined the transaction. The customer should retry the transaction using a different payment method or contact their service provider

General failure.

The transaction failed. The customer should retry the transaction

Incorrect msisdn format provided.

The customer entered incorrect details. The customer should re-check their details before retrying the transaction

Insufficient Credit

This means the customer does not have sufficient funds to complete the transaction. The customer needs to credit their account before retrying the transaction.

Internal transaction id error occurred

This means the transaction timed out because no response was returned to the gateway from the service provider within a predefined time period. The customer should retry the transaction. If they were charged, please reach out to hi@flutterwavego.com stating the customer's transaction details i.e. screenshot of the debit and txn ref

Invalid account

This means that the mobile money account doesn't exist. The customer should check the details entered.

Invalid amount provided : Amount must be greater than 100.0

This means the customer has entered a wrong amount. The customer should check the details entered.

Invalid amount- Amount less than 500

This means the customer has entered a wrong amount. The customer should check the details entered.

Invalid destination

The customer entered an incorrect sender username. The customer should check the details entered before retrying the transaction.

Invalid network selected

The customer used a network not allowed on the platform. The customer should check the network and retry the transaction

Invalid voucher code provided

This means that the voucher code entered is incorrect. The customer should re-check the details entered.

Ip is not authorized

This means the transaction was sent from an IP not permitted by the provider. The customer should contact their network provider for more details.

Msisdn cannot be empty or less than 10 digits

The customer entered an incorrect number. The digits entered need to be more than 9. The customer should re-check the details entered.

MSISDN network not supported.

The service provider is not supported for this type of transaction. The customer should retry the transaction after some time

Network is temporarily down

The service provider is temporarily unavailable. The customer should retry the transaction after some time

Number not registered on mobile money platform

This means the customer used a number not registered on the mobile money platform. The customer should try again using a valid number or try a different method of payment

Oops! Duplicate transaction reference. Please check and try again

The system located a transaction that seems to be a duplicate of the current attempt. The transaction is not passed to the service provider, and customer should contact their merchant before making payment.

Payment could not be done due to insufficient funds

This means the customer does not have sufficient funds to complete the transaction. The customer needs to credit their account before retrying the transaction.

Processing Request

This could be a problem with the back-end processing network. The customer should retry the transaction – if the error persists, please contact support

Sorry we could not process your payment

The transaction failed due to our provider not been able to process the transaction at the time. The customer should retry the transaction – if the error persists, please contact support

Sorry, that amount is invalid, please check and try again

This means the customer has entered a wrong amount. The customer should check the details entered.

Sorry, transaction not found

The original transaction was not found after multiple attempt to validate the transaction. Please reach out directly to hi@flutterwavego.com for details.

Sorry, we could not connect to your bank

There has been an error connecting to the banking connector to process the payment. This may occur due to an outage. The customer should retry the transaction after some time or use a different payment method.

Sorry, your transaction failed

This error is usually directly from the service provider for unknown reasons. The customer should try the transaction again – if the error persists, contact support

SOURCE_NOT_FOUND

This is an issue from the provider and Teleco. The customer should try the transaction again – if the error persists, contact support.

SOURCE_NOT_FOUND|RaveByFlutterwave

This is an issue from the provider and Teleco. The customer should try the transaction again – if the error persists, contact support.

TARGET_AUTHORIZATION_ERROR

This means the customer does not have sufficient funds to complete the transaction. The customer needs to credit their account before retrying the transaction.

The balance is insufficient for the transaction.

This means the customer does not have sufficient funds to complete the transaction. The customer needs to credit their account before retrying the transaction.

Timeout

This means the transaction timed our because no response was returned to the gateway from the service provider within a predefined time period. The customer should retry the transaction. If they were charged, please reach out to hi@flutterwavego.com stating the customer's transaction details i.e. screenshot of the debit and txn ref

Timeout from Network

This means the transaction timed our because no response was returned to the gateway from the service provider within a predefined time period. The customer should retry the transaction. If they were charged, please reach out to hi@flutterwavego.com stating the customer's transaction details i.e. screenshot of the debit and txn ref

TRANSACTION AMOUNT MISMATCH

This means the customer has entered a wrong amount. The customer should check the details entered.

Transaction couldn't be completed

The transaction failed due to our provider not been able to process the transaction at the time. The customer should try the transaction again – if the error persists, contact support.

Transaction Failed

This means that based on technical or temporary reasons, the service provider declined the transaction. The customer should try the transaction again or contact their service provider.

Transaction failed, Please try again later

This error is usually directly from the service provider for unknown reasons. The customer should try the transaction again.

Transaction is being processed

The customer failed to complete the transaction within the stipulated time (10 mins). The customer should try the transaction again.

Transaction not found

The original transaction was not found after multiple attempt to validate the transaction. Please contact support

Unable to complete transaction, please try again

The transaction was not processed successfully. The customer should try the transaction again.

Unauthorized network Number 2500***********

The customer's number is not activated for mobile money. The customer should contact their provider to active their number

Withdrawal from recipient account not allowed

The customer's account is not authorized for withdrawal. The customer should contact their service provider for more information

You have entered an invalid PIN. PIN should be numeric only. Please check and try again. Thank You

The customer enabled an invalid authentication Pin (space, characters). The customer should check the details entered properly and retry the transaction

Your mobile number is not enabled for STK push notifications. Please upgrade it by dialling *234*1*6# and following the instructions

It means that the STK Push Prompt never got to the customer likely because of one of the following reasons

- The customer's SIM needs an update - The SIM card is too old (3+ years) to have received the STK Update to allow access to this service. - Mobile phone is offline.

The customer should update SIM card via 2341*6# or upgrade SIM card

[STK_CB - ]DS timeout.

This means the transaction timed because noresponse was returned to the gateway from service provider within a predefined time period.

Amount invalid.

This means the customer has entered a wrong amount. The customer should check the details entered.

Turing puzzle not found

This usually happens when the link has been used before i.e. the OTP has been entered and verified already. The customer needs to restart the payment or refresh

Successful, pending customer validation

This means the transaction timed out. The customer should retry the transaction

Account / Phone has a pending transaction, kindly approve it or try again later

This means the customer attempted a second transaction while their first transaction was pending approval. The customer needs to restart the payment or refresh

Activity timed out

This indicates the transaction timed out. The customer should retry the transaction

An error occured

This indicates the transaction timed out. The customer should retry the transaction

An error occurred while processing request

This indicates transaction timed out due to intermittent downtime on the provider. The customer should retry the transaction

Authentication failed

This means the customer failed to authenticate the transaction on their mobile. The customer should retry the transaction

Bad Request

This means transaction was declined by the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time

Bad Request - Invalid Amount

This means transaction was declined by the provider because the customer entered an invalid amount e.g. amount with decimal places. The customer should recheck their details

Bad Request - Invalid PhoneNumber

This means transaction was declined by the provider because the customer entered an invalid phone number. The customer should recheck their details

Bad Request - Threat Detected

This means the transaction was declined by the provider. The customer should contact their network provider.

COULD_NOT_PERFORM_TRANSACTION

This means the transaction timed out due to intermittent downtime on the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time

Declined due to limit rule: would exceed the daily transfer limit.

The customer has exceeded their withdrawal limit for the day. The customer should retry the transaction the next day or contact their provider to extend their limits

DS timeout.

This means the transaction timed because noresponse was returned to the gateway from service provider within a predefined time period. The customer should retry the transaction. If they were charged, please reach out to hi@flutterwavego.com stating the customer's transaction details i.e. screenshot of the debit and txn ref

Duplicate Customer Reference

This means the transaction timed out. The customer should retry the transaction

Duplicate Merchant Request ID

This means the transaction timed out. The customer should retry the transaction

Incorrect pin provided. Kindly check and try again

The customer entered an invalid authentication pin. The customer should retry the transaction with a valid pin.

Insufficient fund

This means the customer does not have sufficient funds to complete the transaction. The customer needs to credit their account before retrying the transaction.

Internal Server Error

The transaction timed out due to intermittent downtime on the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time.

INTERNAL_ERROR

The transaction timed out due to intermittent downtime on the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time.

INTERNAL_PROCESSING_ERROR

This is from the provider which could indicate any of the following: insufficient funds in the customer's account, a temporary block on the mobile number or invalid mobile number. The customer should contact their network provider for more details.

Invalid account number

The customer entered incorrect mobile number. The customer should re-check their mobile number before retrying the transaction.

Invalid account. Please ensure you are using your valid MOMO number

The customer entered incorrect mobile number. The customer should re-check their mobile number before retrying the transaction.

Invalid amount above limit.

This means the transaction amount was above the allowed maximum amount. The customer should pay the transaction amount

Invalid amount provided : Amount must be greater than 100.0

This means the customer entered an amount below the allowed mininum "100 XOF/XAF" The customer should increase the deposit amount.

Invalid or Unknown Mobile Network

The customer entered incorrect mobile number. The customer should re-check their mobile number before retrying the transaction

Invalid phone number

The customer entered incorrect mobile number. The customer should re-check their mobile number before retrying the transaction

Issuer Bank Timeout

This means transaction timed out due to intermittent downtime on the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time.

Maximum Amount Exceeded

This means the transaction amount was above the allowed maximum amount. The customer should pay the transaction amount

No ICCID found on NMS

The customer entered incorrect mobile number. The customer should re-check their mobile number before retrying the transaction.

PAYEE_NOT_FOUND

The customer entered incorrect mobile number. The customer should re-check their mobile number before retrying the transaction.

PAYER_NOT_FOUND

The customer entered incorrect mobile number. The customer should re-check their mobile number before retrying the transaction.

payment failed

This means transaction was declined by the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time.

Payment is Pending

This means transaction was declined by the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time.

Processing is still pending

This means transaction was declined by the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time.

Request cancelled by user

This means transaction was declined by the customer. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time.

Request Failed to Process

This means transaction timed out due to intermittent downtime on the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time.

Request failed: Invalid MSISDN received!

The customer entered incorrect characters. The customer should re-check their details before retrying the transaction.

Rule limited.

This means transaction timed out due to intermittent downtime on the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time.

Service is currently under maintenance. Please try again later

Service is currently under maintenance. Please try again later

Signature mismatch

Service is currently under maintenance. Please try again later

Some mandatory parameters are missing : Authorization code (OTP / Transaction code) must be provided

This means the customer failed to authenticate the transaction with OTP request after dialing *144#. The customer should retry the transaction.

Sorry we could not connect to your bank

This means transaction timed out due to intermittent downtime on the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time.

Successfully sent

This means the transaction amount was above the maximum amount "UGX 4m" for the provider. The customer should make the transaction amount less than UGX 4m

System busy. The service request is rejected.

This means transaction was declined by the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time.

System Error

This means transaction timed out due to intermittent downtime on the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time.

The balance is insufficient for the transaction.

This means the customer does not have sufficient funds to complete the transaction. The customer needs to credit their account before retrying the transaction.

The channel session ID has expired.

This means the transaction window expired after the transaction window expired. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time.

The DebitParty is in an invalid state.

This indicates the transaction was declined by the provider because the customer's MO has some restrictions. The customer should contact their network for more details

The initiator information is invalid.

The customer entered incorrect characters as mobile number. The customer should re-check their phone number before retrying the transaction

The initiator is not allowed to initiate this request.

This indicates the transaction was declined by the provider because the customer's MO has some restrictions. The customer should contact their network for more details

The security credential is locked.

This means transaction timed out due to intermittent downtime on the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time.

This transaction does not exist

This means transaction timed out due to intermittent downtime on the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time.

Timed Out

This means transaction timed out due to intermittent downtime on the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time.

Transaction expired. No MO has been received

This means the transaction timed out. The customer to retry the transaction at a later time.

Transaction Failed!

This means transaction timed out due to intermittent downtime on the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time or contact their network for more details

Transaction not permitted

This means transaction was declined by the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time or contact their network for more details

Transaction Pending

This means the transaction timed out due to intermittent downtime on the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time.

Unable to complete operation

This means the transaction timed out due to intermittent downtime on the provider. The customer should retry the transaction at a later time.

Unable to lock subscriber, a transaction is already in process for the current subscriber

This means the customer attempted a second transaction while their first transaction was pending approval. The customer should close the session and restart their payment i.e. Refresh.

Unable to validate account / invalid mobile money account

The customer entered incorrect characters as mobile number. The customer should re-check their phone number before retrying the transaction.

RESOURCE_NOT_FOUND

Receiver is barred. The customer should contact their network for more details.

END_USER_SERVICE_DENIED

The recipient number isn't allowed to use the particular service on the telco. The customer should contact their telco for more details.

RESOURCE_TEMPORARY_LOCKED

The recipient number isn't allowed to use the particular service on the telco. The customer should contact their telco for more details.

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