POS Terminals Error Code
Systems & Devices
POS Terminals
CALL ISSUER | Issuer contact required
Industry
Systems & Devices
Canonical
/systems/pos-terminals/error-codes/call-issuer/
Last Updated
Feb 27, 2026
Summary
The terminal indicates the issuer requires the cardholder to contact them before approval.
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What This Code Means
“CALL ISSUER” is a common terminal prompt indicating the issuer requires intervention before authorizing the transaction. It is not a technical terminal fault; it reflects an issuer decision that usually cannot be resolved by retrying immediately.
Where Users Usually See This Code
- Card-present checkout prompts
- Settlement and batch close operations
- Terminal pairing and configuration screens
- During terminal software or key updates
Why This Code Appears
- A payment decision was returned by the issuer/processor
- Connectivity prevented reaching the host
- Device configuration or keys were incomplete
- A local device state blocked completion (paper out, update required)
What Typically Happens Next
- The terminal displays a prompt and aborts the flow
- The POS may ask to retry or use a different method
- Final status must be confirmed in the processor record
What This Code Is Not
- It is not always a decline
- It is not safe to re-run a card without checking for duplicates
Troubleshooting Checklist
- □ Determine whether the message is a decline or a technical failure
- □ Confirm connectivity (Ethernet/Wi‑Fi/cellular) and signal quality
- □ Check for required updates or key loading status
- □ Confirm batch/settlement state if the error appears at close
- □ Verify merchant configuration identifiers (TID/MID) if shown
- □ Escalate with logs/receipts to the terminal vendor or processor
Notes And Edge Cases
Terminal prompts vary by device and processor; the most reliable source of truth is the processor’s final record.
Related Codes
8 links
- DECLINED CodeIssuer declined
- BATCH NOT CLOSED CodeSettlement pending
- KEYS NOT LOADED CodeEncryption keys missing
- NO CONNECTION CodeHost connection unavailable
- REVERSAL CodeReversal required
- SIGNATURE CodeSignature required
- UPDATE REQUIRED CodeUpdate needed
- COMMUNICATION ERROR CodeHost communication failed
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