ERR-TXN-FAILED | Transaction failed
This code indicates the transaction could not be completed and was marked as failed by the bank or payment system.
What This Code Means
ERR-TXN-FAILED is a generic failure code used when a transaction does not reach a successful completion state. It typically reflects that the system attempted to process the request but did not finalize authorization, posting, or settlement. This code is often used when the system can’t safely classify the failure into a more specific category. It represents an outcome (“failed”) rather than a single root cause. It does not automatically mean the account is restricted, the recipient details are wrong, or funds are unavailable, although any of those could be contributing factors depending on context.
Where Users Usually See This Code
- After submitting a bank transfer, bill payment, or card-like payment inside an app
- In transaction history where the status shows “Failed” with a short error label
- In merchant or payment processor logs for a bank-initiated payment attempt
Why This Code Appears
- A processing step failed (validation, authorization, posting, or settlement)
- The request timed out or was interrupted before completion
- The system received an upstream rejection without a mapped reason code
- A risk or policy rule stopped completion but returned a generic failure outcome
What Typically Happens Next
- The transaction status is set to Failed and is not expected to complete automatically
- Any reserved funds or temporary holds may be released according to system timing rules
- The system may prompt the user to try again later or submit a new transaction
What This Code Is Not
- It is not proof of insufficient funds or credit availability
- It is not confirmation that the recipient account details are invalid
- It is not a guarantee that a reversal or refund has already occurred
Troubleshooting Checklist
- □ Review the transaction record details, including timestamp, amount, and destination information
- □ Check whether the transaction appears elsewhere as pending or completed under a different reference
- □ Confirm whether the platform indicates any hold, temporary authorization, or duplicate attempt
- □ If the failure repeats for the same transaction type, consider using the official support channel for clarification
Notes And Edge Cases
Generic “failed” outcomes can occur when multiple systems participate in a transaction and the final failure reason is not exposed to the front end. Some systems temporarily show “failed” while a late status update is pending, but this is not guaranteed and depends on the platform’s status model. A failed status can also occur after partial processing where downstream posting never completes; systems often use conservative failure states to avoid showing success when settlement is uncertain.