96 | System malfunction

What This Code Means

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