Reasons for Card Payment Declined on Amazon (and How to Fix Them)
When your card payment fails on Amazon, it can be frustrating. Here are the
most common reasons and
solutions to resolve them:
1. Insufficient Funds or Credit Limit
Fix:
- Check your bank balance or credit limit.
- Ensure you have enough funds (including transaction fees).
- For prepaid cards, reload the balance.
2. Card Details Entered Incorrectly
Fix:
- Re-enter card number, expiry date, and CVV.
- Check for typos (e.g., wrong billing address).
- Remove and re-add the card in Amazon Wallet.
3. Bank Blocked the Transaction (Fraud Protection)
Fix:
- Call your bank/issuer to confirm the transaction.
- Whitelist Amazon.com as a trusted merchant.
- Try a smaller purchase first to test.
4. Amazon Suspicion of Fraud (Account Verification Needed)
Fix:
- Check Amazon account alerts for verification requests.
- Confirm identity via email/SMS verification.
- Contact Amazon Customer Support.
5. Card Not Supported by Amazon
Fix:
- Amazon accepts:
- Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover (US).
- Debit cards with Visa/Mastercard logo.
- Prepaid cards (if registered).
- Some virtual cards, business cards, or regional cards may not work.
6. Billing Address Mismatch (AVS Check Failed)
Fix:
- Ensure the billing address matches your bank records.
- Update address in Amazon Wallet and bank account.
7. Expired Card or Closed Account
Fix:
- Check card expiry date.
- Verify with your bank if the card is still active.
- Replace with a new card if expired.
8. International Transaction Blocked
Fix:
- If buying from Amazon Global, ensure:
- Your card allows international transactions.
- No foreign transaction fees are blocking it.
- Call your bank to enable cross-border payments.
9. Amazon Account Restrictions
Fix:
- Check if your account is temporarily suspended.
- Resolve any unpaid orders or policy violations.
- Contact Amazon Support for review.
10. Technical Glitch (Amazon or Bank Side)
Fix:
- Try again after 10-15 minutes.
- Use a different browser/device.
- Switch to another payment method (Amazon Pay, gift card).
Quick Troubleshooting Checklist
✔
Check card balance & expiry date
✔
Verify billing address matches bank records
✔
Call bank to unblock Amazon transactions
✔
Try a different card or payment method
✔
Contact Amazon Support if issue persists
If your card
still doesn’t work, Amazon recommends using:
- Amazon Gift Cards (instant reload).
- Amazon Pay Balance.
- PayPal (where available).
Need further help? Ask your bank or Amazon Customer Service!