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Mastercard / ISO 8583 response code

Decline code 14: invalid card number

Hard decline (do not retry)

What decline code 14 means

The primary account number does not exist or fails validation at the issuer.

Should you retry?

Do not retry. Ask the customer to re-enter their card or run an account updater check.

Retrying hard declines costs money. Visa limits reattempts on a card to 15 in 30 days, and Mastercard charges for attempts beyond its thresholds and for every retry after a Merchant Advice Code 03 or 21. Route this decline to account updater or customer outreach instead. See soft vs hard declines.

Equivalent codes

  • Stripe decline code: invalid_number

Frequently asked questions

Is decline code 14 a soft or hard decline?

Hard decline (do not retry). The primary account number does not exist or fails validation at the issuer.

Should I retry a payment that failed with decline code 14?

Do not retry. Ask the customer to re-enter their card or run an account updater check.

Other response codes

Reference information for merchants. Network rules and fee schedules change; confirm current figures with your acquirer. Mastercard is a registered trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated, which does not sponsor or endorse this service.