4/13/2025

Addressing Blocked Payments with Shopify: What You Can Do

If you’re running a store on Shopify, encountering payment issues can feel like navigating a minefield. Don’t worry, you are not alone! Plenty of merchants run into the frustrating challenge of appearing legitimate but getting payments BLOCKED for no clear reason. In this detailed guide, we will dive deep into the common issues surrounding blocked payments on Shopify and share solutions to help you resolve these pivotal problems.

Understanding Blocked Payments on Shopify

Blocked payments can arise from various factors, depending on payment methods & how they’re set up in your Shopify store. To start, let’s look at some potential culprits:

Payment Gateway Issues: Your payment gateway may have a problem. If you’re using Shopify Payments, check to ensure it’s properly set up.
Bank Declines: Sometimes, payments can be blocked at the banking level due to security protocols.
Currency Mismatches: Ensure the currency set up in your store matches with the payment processors that are enabled.
Account Verification: If your account has not been verified, it might lead to failed payment attempts.
High-Risk Error Messages: Common error messages include do_not_honor or high-risk errors from banks that may lead to payment blocks.

Example of a Common Block

One common scenario is when legitimate customer payments get declined. A Shopify Community post details how a user faced repeated declines labeled with the error code “do_not_honor,” indicating that the bank is not processing the transaction regardless of the legitimacy of the buyer. This can be exceptionally aggravating for both merchants and customers, leading to lost revenues & broken customer relations. Read more on this topic.

Steps to Take When Payments Are Blocked

When faced with blocked payments, there are a variety of troubleshooting techniques you can try to get back on track:

1. Check Your Payment Settings

Make sure your settings are CORRECT! Here’s how:

Navigate to Settings > Payments in your Shopify admin.
Double-check the details of your payment gateway. If you’re using Shopify Payments, click Manage.
Confirm payment settings not only reflect the right currency but also that no limitations or restrictions are in place.

2. Try Running a Test Transaction

This step is critical. It will help verify whether or not your payment processor is functioning as it should.

Attempt to make a small purchase from your store using a test credit card as provided by your payment gateway.
If this fails, reach out to your payment provider to resolve the issue.

3. Reach Out to Shopify Support

If the above steps don’t do the trick, contacting the Shopify Support team is your next best step. They can provide assistance & dig deeper into potential issues that could be causing payment blocks.

Feel free to reach them through the Help Center and make sure to provide specific examples and error codes you’re encountering.

4. Issue Escalation

In some cases, escalating the issue through shopify support might be necessary. This can help in situations where payment issues may have broader implications. Keep a proactive attitude by continuously following up to get updates.

5. Check with Your Bank

If a customer reports repeated payment failures, it may already be on the bank’s side. It’s best to guide customers to get in touch with their banking institutions as often payment declines occur because of security measures put in place by banks.

Explain it’s not the store denying transactions, rather external bank security checks causing the issue.
Encourage them to ask about specific codes like do_not_honor or risky to provide clarity.

Customizing Your Chatbot to Address Common Payment Questions

With advancements in technology, integrating a chatbot into your Shopify website can be a game-changer. Arsturn provides a fantastic solution through which you can create a CUSTOM chatbot that answers frequently asked PAYMENT issues in real time!

Why Use a Chatbot?

Chatbots have several benefits:

Instant Responses: They provide answers immediately - saving you from dealing with a dozen inquiries regarding the same topic.
24/7 Availability: Unlike a human team, chatbots can assist your customers ALL DAY, EVERY DAY.
Data Collection: Gather customer insights and identify common inquiries related to payments. This can guide your future business decisions.
Customization: Tailor it to represent your brand’s unique voice.

Discover Arsturn and how to create your own custom chatbot today!

Keeping Customers Informed

Another crucial aspect of minimizing the effects of blocked payments is transparent communication. Consider the following best practices:

Include a FAQ Section in your store detailing possible payment issues and how customers can troubleshoot them.
Send proactive emails to customers if you notice they are having issues, explaining potential errors and suggesting solutions.
Create an on-screen notification for visitors who encounter issues, sharing tips for resolving problematic payments.

Final Thoughts

Don’t let blocked payments become a conspiracy theory; instead, take proactive steps to resolve issues swiftly. Some problems will require collaboration with your payment gatekeeper, while others relate to customer banking relationships. Keep the channels of communication open & employ technology like chatbots to alleviate customer concerns.

Remember, you can always leverage the power of Arsturn to help engage with your customers better concerning their payment queries while boosting conversions for your business. Try Arsturn today without any commitment!

Recently, a merchant who faced payment issues found relief by utilizing tools and resources available through the Shopify community. Don’t hesitate to look for help – you’re in great company!