POS Systems Error Code
Systems & Devices
POS Systems

14 | Invalid card number

Industry
Systems & Devices
Canonical
/systems/pos-systems/error-codes/14/
Last Updated
Feb 27, 2026
Summary

The card number failed validation or did not map to an acceptable account.

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What This Code Means

Response code 14 (“Invalid card number”) indicates the primary account number (PAN) did not validate or was not recognized as acceptable for processing. It is a validation and identifier problem rather than a funds or network availability issue.

Where Users Usually See This Code

  • Checkout and payment attempts
  • Settlement and batch close workflows
  • Device pairing or peripheral setup
  • POS sync and configuration screens

Why This Code Appears

  • A payment decision was returned by issuer/processor
  • Connectivity or configuration prevented completing the transaction
  • A device or service dependency was unavailable

What Typically Happens Next

  • The POS shows an error or decline message
  • The transaction is not completed as requested
  • The system may allow retry after the underlying issue is resolved

What This Code Is Not

  • It is not a guarantee of fraud
  • It is not always a hardware failure

Troubleshooting Checklist

  • Confirm whether the message is a decline or a technical error
  • Avoid repeated retries if you are unsure whether a charge succeeded
  • Verify internet connectivity and service status
  • Check the processor record for the authoritative final state
  • Confirm terminal and POS configuration (TID/MID, pairing)
  • Escalate to vendor/processor support for repeated failures

Notes And Edge Cases

POS workflows span multiple layers; the same message can surface from different causes.

Related Codes

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