[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":407},["ShallowReactive",2],{"/blog/stripe-authentication-required-decline-code":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"articleSection":6,"author":7,"body":8,"category":6,"coverBuilder":390,"cta":391,"ctaBody":390,"ctaTitle":390,"dateModified":392,"datePublished":393,"description":394,"draft":395,"extension":396,"hideCover":395,"image":397,"meta":398,"navigation":399,"ogImage":390,"path":400,"readTime":401,"seo":402,"sidebarCta":390,"stem":403,"tags":404,"wordCount":405,"__hash__":406},"blog/blog/stripe-authentication-required-decline-code.md","Stripe authentication required: meaning and how to fix?","Decline Codes","team-churnkey",{"type":9,"value":10,"toc":364},"minimark",[11,15,32,40,45,61,66,69,73,76,79,82,86,89,96,99,108,111,115,118,122,130,133,143,146,150,153,165,168,171,175,178,182,185,188,191,207,210,218,226,231,235,244,247,250,253,259,263,266,270,279,282,285,294,298,301,305,313,328,332,335,338,342,351,354,358,361],[12,13,14],"p",{},"Stripe's authentication_required response can be puzzling for merchants and developers. This decline code appears when a payment needs extra security steps. It often happens with certain credit cards or in regions with strict rules.",[12,16,17,21,22,31],{},[18,19,20],"strong",{},"The authentication_required code means the transaction needs more verification, usually through"," ",[23,24,28],"a",{"href":25,"rel":26},"https://docs.stripe.com/payments/3d-secure/authentication-flow?ref=churnkey.co",[27],"nofollow",[18,29,30],{},"3D Secure",".",[12,33,34,35,39],{},"When you see this code, it doesn't mean the payment failed for good. The customer can try again on their own or merchants can layer on ",[23,36,38],{"href":37},"/","Churnkey"," to reduce revenue lost due to failed payments.",[41,42,44],"h3",{"id":43},"key-takeaways","Key takeaways",[46,47,48,52,55],"ul",{},[49,50,51],"li",{},"Authentication_required signals a need for extra security steps in a payment",[49,53,54],{},"3D Secure is often used to complete the required authentication",[49,56,57,58,60],{},"Proper handling of this code via ",[23,59,38],{"href":37}," can lead to successful transactions and improved security.",[62,63,65],"h2",{"id":64},"understanding-authentication-required-in-stripe","Understanding authentication required in Stripe",[12,67,68],{},"Stripe uses authentication to keep payments secure. Sometimes, payments need extra steps to verify the customer's identity.",[41,70,72],{"id":71},"authentication-basics","Authentication basics",[12,74,75],{},"Authentication in Stripe means checking if a payment is real. It helps stop fraud. Stripe uses different ways to do this.",[12,77,78],{},"For some payments, Stripe asks for more info. This is called \"authentication_required\". It means the bank wants to double-check the customer.",[12,80,81],{},"When this happens, the payment might not go through right away. The customer may need to take extra steps.",[41,83,85],{"id":84},"how-stripe-manages-authentication","How Stripe manages authentication",[12,87,88],{},"Stripe handles authentication in a few ways. They use 3D Secure. When a payment needs more checking, Stripe sends a code. This code tells the merchant what's happening.",[12,90,91],{},[92,93],"img",{"alt":94,"src":95},"","/images/blog/stripe-authentication-required-decline-code/image-41.webp",[12,97,98],{},"The Stripe Dashboard shows these codes. It helps merchants understand why a payment didn't work.",[12,100,101,102,107],{},"For some payments, Stripe uses ",[23,103,106],{"href":104,"rel":105},"https://stripe.com/in/guides/strong-customer-authentication?ref=churnkey.co",[27],"Strong Customer Authentication",". This is a rule in Europe that makes online buying safer.",[12,109,110],{},"Stripe's API can help with authentication too. It lets merchants set up special checks for payments that need them.",[62,112,114],{"id":113},"understanding-strong-customer-authentication-sca","Understanding strong customer authentication (SCA)",[12,116,117],{},"Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) aims to make online payments more secure. It requires extra steps to verify a customer's identity when making payments in Europe.",[41,119,121],{"id":120},"sca-requirements-in-europe","SCA requirements in Europe",[12,123,124,129],{},[23,125,128],{"href":126,"rel":127},"https://stripe.com/guides/strong-customer-authentication?ref=churnkey.co",[27],"SCA is a European rule"," that started in September 2019. It's part of the PSD2 regulation. SCA applies to most online card payments in Europe.",[12,131,132],{},"The rule needs at least two of these three things to confirm a payment:",[12,134,135,136,139,140,142],{},"• Something the customer knows (like a password)",[137,138],"br",{},"\n• Something the customer has (like a phone)",[137,141],{},"\n• Something the customer is (like a fingerprint)",[12,144,145],{},"Banks may reject payments that don't meet SCA rules. This helps stop fraud and makes online shopping safer.",[41,147,149],{"id":148},"effect-on-customer-experience","Effect on customer experience",[12,151,152],{},"SCA changes how customers pay online. 3D Secure is often used to meet SCA rules. This adds a step to the payment process.",[12,154,155,156,158,159,161,162,164],{},"Customers might need to:",[137,157],{},"\n• Enter a code sent to their phone",[137,160],{},"\n• Use their banking app to approve a purchase",[137,163],{},"\n• Provide a fingerprint or face scan",[12,166,167],{},"These extra steps can slow down checkout. But they also make payments more secure. Businesses need to update their payment systems to work with SCA.",[12,169,170],{},"Some low-value transactions may not need SCA. This helps keep small purchases quick and easy.",[62,172,174],{"id":173},"handling-authentication-failures-and-declines","Handling authentication failures and declines",[12,176,177],{},"Payment authentication issues can lead to lost sales. Understanding common decline codes and implementing preventive measures helps minimize authentication failures and fraud.",[41,179,181],{"id":180},"common-decline-codes-and-responses","Common decline codes and responses",[12,183,184],{},"When a payment fails, Stripe provides specific decline codes to explain why. The \"authentication_required\" code means the payment needs further verification.",[12,186,187],{},"For this code, ask the customer to try again or use a different payment method. Some issuers may decline already authenticated payments, especially with Mastercard.",[12,189,190],{},"Other common codes include:",[46,192,193,196,199],{},[49,194,195],{},"\"card_declined\": The card was rejected by the issuer.",[49,197,198],{},"\"insufficient_funds\": The account lacks money to cover the charge.",[49,200,201,202,206],{},"\"",[23,203,205],{"href":204},"/blog/do-not-honor-decline","do_not_honor","\": The bank rejects the transaction but doesn't tell you why.",[12,208,209],{},"Respond to each code appropriately. For expired cards, request updated information. For insufficient funds, suggest trying again later.",[12,211,212,213,217],{},"If churn is a problem worth solving (anywhere over ",[23,214,216],{"href":215},"/blog/convert-monthly-churn-to-annual-churn","4% monthly churn","), consider using Churnkey. It's a holistic solution to tackle both involuntary and voluntary churn at all levels, including authentication_required error codes.",[12,219,220,221,225],{},"The number one question to answer is, \"how much are you losing due to involuntary churn like authentication required decline\". ",[23,222,224],{"href":223},"/churn-metrics","Churnkey's free churn metrics"," can help answer that question and guide your churn reduction strategy.",[12,227,228],{},[23,229,230],{"href":37},"Explore Churnkey",[41,232,234],{"id":233},"preventing-fraud-and-unnecessary-declines","Preventing fraud and unnecessary declines",[12,236,237,238,243],{},"Implement strong fraud prevention measures to reduce unnecessary declines. Use ",[23,239,242],{"href":240,"rel":241},"https://stripe.com/resources/more/failed-payment-recovery-101?ref=churnkey.co",[27],"Stripe Radar"," to set custom rules for detecting suspicious transactions.",[12,245,246],{},"Collect additional data like billing zip codes to improve verification. Enable 3D Secure for an extra layer of security on high-risk transactions.",[12,248,249],{},"Regularly update stored payment information to prevent declines from expired cards. Use clear error messages to guide customers through authentication issues.",[12,251,252],{},"Consider offering alternative payment methods to reduce reliance on card payments. This can help bypass some common authentication problems.",[12,254,255,256,258],{},"And so much more! Customers at ",[23,257,38],{"href":37}," save 20-40% of the subscription revenue that they might lose to churn. Implementation is easy and straightforward. Some of our products include cancel flows, reactivations, failed payment recovery, feedback AI to offer a holistic churn solution.",[62,260,262],{"id":261},"strategy-for-future-payments-and-subscriptions","Strategy for future payments and subscriptions",[12,264,265],{},"Setting up a robust system for future payments and subscriptions is key to business growth. This involves careful management of customer payment methods and thoughtful design of subscription models.",[41,267,269],{"id":268},"managing-customer-payment-methods","Managing customer payment methods",[12,271,272,273,278],{},"To handle future payments smoothly, businesses should ",[23,274,277],{"href":275,"rel":276},"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/64009884/stripe-setting-up-a-card-for-future-payments-that-is-3d-secure-authenticated?ref=churnkey.co",[27],"set up cards for future use",". This can be done when processing an initial payment or as a separate step.",[12,280,281],{},"Stripe offers a feature called \"setup_future_usage\" that allows for non-payment 3D Secure authentication. This helps ensure the success of future transactions.",[12,283,284],{},"When attaching a payment method to a customer, it's important to consider security. Stripe's authentication optimization engine can help balance conversion, cost, and fraud prevention.",[12,286,287,288,293],{},"Businesses should also be aware that card issuers may occasionally provide an ",[23,289,292],{"href":290,"rel":291},"https://support.stripe.com/questions/authenticated-payment-declined-with-an-authentication-required-decline-code?locale=en-GB&ref=churnkey.co",[27],"authentication_required decline code"," even on payments that have gone through 3D Secure. This typically happens with Mastercard-branded cards.",[62,295,297],{"id":296},"frequently-asked-questions","Frequently asked questions",[12,299,300],{},"Stripe users often encounter authentication challenges when processing payments. These questions address common issues and provide guidance for resolving them.",[41,302,304],{"id":303},"how-can-a-charge-be-authenticated-with-stripe-when-authentication_required-is-prompted","How can a charge be authenticated with Stripe when 'authentication_required' is prompted?",[12,306,307,308,312],{},"When Stripe prompts for authentication, the customer needs to complete ",[23,309,311],{"href":25,"rel":310},[27],"3D Secure authentication",". This extra security step helps verify the cardholder's identity.",[12,314,315,316,21,320,324,325,327],{},"Merchants can trigger 3D Secure automatically, use Radar rules to control when it's required, and install an ",[23,317,319],{"href":318},"/blog/involuntary-churn","involuntary",[23,321,323],{"href":322},"/blog/churn-reduction-platforms","churn software"," like ",[23,326,38],{"href":37}," to reduce failed payments.",[41,329,331],{"id":330},"what-are-the-common-decline-codes-encountered-with-stripe-transactions","What are the common decline codes encountered with Stripe transactions?",[12,333,334],{},"Common Stripe decline codes include 'authentication_required', 'card_declined', and 'insufficient_funds'. Each code gives insight into why a transaction failed.",[12,336,337],{},"Understanding these codes helps businesses troubleshoot payment issues more effectively.",[41,339,341],{"id":340},"what-should-be-done-when-a-card-is-declined-due-to-authentication_required-by-stripe","What should be done when a card is declined due to 'authentication_required' by Stripe?",[12,343,344,345,350],{},"If a card is declined with 'authentication_required', the customer should ",[23,346,349],{"href":347,"rel":348},"https://support.stripe.com/questions/authenticated-payment-declined-with-an-authentication-required-decline-code?ref=churnkey.co",[27],"contact their card issuer"," for more information. They may need to verify their identity or update their card settings.",[12,352,353],{},"Alternatively, the customer can try a different payment method to complete the transaction. You can also retry payments intelligently with Churnkey.",[41,355,357],{"id":356},"how-to-resolve-issues-when-stripe-is-unable-to-authenticate-the-payment-method","How to resolve issues when Stripe is unable to authenticate the payment method?",[12,359,360],{},"When authentication fails, first check that the customer entered their card details correctly. If the problem persists, the customer may need to use a different card.",[12,362,363],{},"Merchants can also consider enabling alternative payment methods to provide more options for customers.",{"title":94,"searchDepth":365,"depth":365,"links":366},3,[367,368,373,377,381,384],{"id":43,"depth":365,"text":44},{"id":64,"depth":369,"text":65,"children":370},2,[371,372],{"id":71,"depth":365,"text":72},{"id":84,"depth":365,"text":85},{"id":113,"depth":369,"text":114,"children":374},[375,376],{"id":120,"depth":365,"text":121},{"id":148,"depth":365,"text":149},{"id":173,"depth":369,"text":174,"children":378},[379,380],{"id":180,"depth":365,"text":181},{"id":233,"depth":365,"text":234},{"id":261,"depth":369,"text":262,"children":382},[383],{"id":268,"depth":365,"text":269},{"id":296,"depth":369,"text":297,"children":385},[386,387,388,389],{"id":303,"depth":365,"text":304},{"id":330,"depth":365,"text":331},{"id":340,"depth":365,"text":341},{"id":356,"depth":365,"text":357},null,"newsletter","2024-09-25","2024-09-02","The authentication_required code means the transaction needs more verification, usually through 3D Secure. Proper handling of this code can lead to successful transactions and improved security.",false,"md","/images/blog/stripe-authentication-required-decline-code/authentication-required.webp",{},true,"/blog/stripe-authentication-required-decline-code","5 min read",{"title":5,"description":394},"blog/stripe-authentication-required-decline-code",[6],1234,"poU2Qv4FShIJMHyLIaJafU6ajT4gIaoaOVnwklVWul8",1786729731420]