Summary
If your credit or debit card payment was declined, this guide will help you troubleshoot and identify the cause and fix the issue. You’ll learn how to verify your card details, check common bank restrictions, try alternative payment methods, and understand when to contact your bank. Following these steps can help you complete your Wati payment quickly and smoothly.
Instructions
If your payment fails during checkout, don’t worry. Most card-related issues can be resolved by checking a few common settings. Follow the steps below in order.
Step 1: Check your card details and settings
Start by reviewing your card information carefully.
Confirm sufficient funds
Make sure:
Your card has enough available balance.
Your credit limit has not been exceeded.
Insufficient funds are one of the most common reasons for payment failure.
Verify your card is supported
Wati accepts most:
Credit cards
Debit cards
If you are unsure whether your card type is supported, contact your bank to confirm.
Ensure online and international transactions are enabled
Many banks block certain types of transactions by default. Check that:
Online transactions are enabled on the card
International transactions are enabled on the card
Wati payments may be processed as international transactions depending on your region.
Special note for customers in India
Due to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulations, recurring payments require an e-mandate setup. Make sure:
Your e-mandate is active.
Your bank has approved recurring subscription payments.
If the e-mandate is not configured, the payment may fail automatically.
Double-check your card details
Carefully verify:
Card number
Expiry date
CVV code (usually printed on the back of the card)
Even a small typing error can cause a decline. If everything looks correct and the payment still fails, continue to the next step.
Step 2: Try an alternative payment method
If your card continues to be declined, consider using another payment option. You can try:
A different credit card
A different debit card
PayPal (available only for USD payments)
Switching to another card often resolves bank-specific restrictions.
Step 3: Contact your bank
If your card details are correct and you have sufficient funds, your bank may have blocked the transaction.
Contact your bank by:
Calling the number on the back of your card
Using your online or mobile banking app
Information to share with your bank
Have the following details ready:
Date of the payment attempt
Time of the payment attempt
Payment amount
Payment currency
Merchant name: Wati
Providing this information helps the bank locate the transaction quickly.
Questions to ask your bank
When speaking with your bank, ask:
Is my card activated (especially if it is new)?
Are online transactions enabled?
Are international transactions enabled?
Is this type of subscription payment allowed?
Was the transaction flagged as suspicious or fraudulent?
Banks sometimes block recurring or international transactions for security reasons.
Still facing issues?
If you have completed all the steps above and the payment is still not successful, contact the Wati billing team for further assistance.
Providing screenshots of the error message (if available) can help speed up the resolution.
By following these steps, most payment issues can be resolved quickly and easily.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Common Reasons for Card Payment Failure
1. What should I check first if my credit or debit card payment is declined?
You should first review your card details and settings, including available balance, credit limit, card type support, online transaction settings, international transaction settings, and the accuracy of the card number, expiry date, and CVV code.
2. Can insufficient funds cause a payment to fail?
Yes, a payment can fail if the card does not have enough available balance or if the credit limit has been exceeded.
3. Does Wati accept both credit and debit cards?
Yes, Wati accepts most credit cards and debit cards.
4. Do online and international transactions need to be enabled?
Yes, online transactions and international transactions must be enabled on the card, as Wati payments may be processed as international transactions depending on your region.
5. What additional requirement applies to customers in India?
Customers in India must ensure that an e-mandate for recurring payments is active and approved by their bank, as required by Reserve Bank of India regulations.
6. Can incorrect card details cause a payment decline?
Yes, entering an incorrect card number, expiry date, or CVV code can cause the payment to be declined.
Alternative Payment Options
7. What can I do if my card continues to be declined?
If your card continues to be declined, you can try using a different credit card, a different debit card, or PayPal if the payment is in USD.
8. Is PayPal available for all currencies?
No, PayPal is available only for USD payments.
Contacting Your Bank
9. When should I contact my bank about a failed payment?
You should contact your bank if your card details are correct, you have sufficient funds, and the payment still fails.
10. What information should I provide to my bank about the failed transaction?
You should provide the date and time of the payment attempt, the payment amount, the payment currency, and the merchant name, which is Wati.
11. What questions should I ask my bank about the declined payment?
You should ask whether the card is activated, whether online and international transactions are enabled, whether subscription payments are allowed, and whether the transaction was flagged as suspicious or fraudulent.
Additional Support
12. What should I do if the payment still fails after contacting my bank?
If the payment still fails after completing all troubleshooting steps, you should contact the Wati billing team and provide screenshots of the error message if available.