generic_declineNeeds customer actionStripe decline code: Generic decline
An unspecified decline from the card network or issuer.
Recovery outlook
Needs customer action. The card or account details need to change, or the customer must clear something with their bank. Recovery runs through dunning, not blind retries.
What it means
The card was declined and neither the network nor the issuer returned a specific reason code.
Why it happens
It's the default when the real cause is withheld. Risk, an issuer rule, or a temporary condition on the account.
Can you retry it?
Treat it like card_declined: one delayed retry is reasonable, but recovery comes from the customer updating their card or clearing the issue with their bank. Don't build long automated retry loops on generic declines.
Recovery playbook
- 1Allow one delayed retry for a possible temporary block.
- 2Move quickly to a dunning prompt if it repeats.
- 3Surface a clear 'update payment method' action.
- 4Cap attempts to protect your retry-success reputation.
How Reecova handles generic_decline
Reecova flags generic_decline as needing customer action and triggers a dunning sequence to collect an updated card or prompt the bank contact, rather than wasting retry attempts. It runs across your whole Stripe account automatically, and shows the dollars each code is costing you.