Moneris Payment Terminal Error Codes

Transaction Declined Errors

Errors related to declined transactions and payment authorization failures.

Code	Meaning	Possible Causes	Solutions
050	Do Not Honor - Transaction declined by card issuer	•Insufficient funds •Card expired •Card blocked or restricted •Invalid card number •Card issuer declined transaction •Account restrictions	Request customer to contact their bank or card issuer Ask customer to try a different payment method Verify card details are entered correctly Check if card is expired or has been cancelled Suggest customer contact their bank to resolve account issues Try transaction again after a few minutes Verify card is activated and not blocked
051	Insufficient Funds - Account has insufficient funds	•Account balance too low •Credit limit exceeded •Account overdraft limit reached •Pending transactions reducing available balance	Inform customer that transaction was declined due to insufficient funds Request customer to use a different payment method Ask customer to verify account balance with their bank Suggest customer contact their bank to resolve account issues Try transaction with a different card or payment method
054	Expired Card - Card has expired	•Card expiration date has passed •Card replaced but old card still being used •Incorrect expiration date entered	Verify card expiration date is correct Request customer to use a different card Check if customer has a new card with updated expiration date Ask customer to contact their bank for a replacement card
057	Transaction Not Permitted - Card issuer does not permit this transaction	•Card restrictions •Merchant category restrictions •Geographic restrictions •Transaction type not allowed •Card issuer policy	Request customer to contact their card issuer Try a different payment method Verify transaction type is permitted for this card Check if card has restrictions that prevent this transaction

PIN and Authentication Errors

Issues with PIN entry, authentication, and card verification.

Code	Meaning	Possible Causes	Solutions
201	Incorrect PIN - Wrong PIN entered	•Customer entered wrong PIN •PIN pad malfunction •PIN blocked after multiple failed attempts •PIN not set for card	Request customer to re-enter PIN carefully Verify PIN pad is functioning correctly Check if card requires PIN for this transaction type If PIN is blocked, customer must contact their bank Try transaction again with correct PIN For contactless transactions, verify if PIN is required
202	Advance Less Than Minimum - Transaction amount below minimum	•Transaction amount too small •Minimum transaction amount not met •Card issuer minimum limit	Verify transaction amount meets minimum requirements Check card issuer minimum transaction limits Combine with other items if possible Inform customer of minimum transaction amount Try transaction with adjusted amount
203	Administrative Card Needed - Administrative card required	•Terminal requires administrative card •System configuration needed •Terminal setup incomplete	Contact Moneris technical support for assistance Use administrative card if available Verify terminal configuration is complete Check if terminal requires setup or activation Contact merchant services provider for support
205	Card Not Supported - Card type not supported	•Card type not accepted by merchant •Card issuer not supported •Card network compatibility issue	Request customer to use a different card Verify card type is accepted by merchant Check terminal configuration for supported card types Contact Moneris support to verify card type support

Connection and Communication Errors

Issues with terminal connectivity, network, and communication.

Code	Meaning	Possible Causes	Solutions
301	Communication Error - Terminal cannot connect to payment processor	•Network connectivity issue •Internet connection problem •Payment gateway unavailable •Terminal network configuration error •Firewall blocking connection	Check terminal network connection and cables Verify internet connectivity is working Restart terminal and try transaction again Check network settings and configuration Verify payment gateway is operational Contact network administrator if in corporate environment Try transaction again after network connection is restored
302	Timeout Error - Transaction timed out	•Slow network connection •Payment processor response delay •Network congestion •Connection timeout	Check network connection speed and stability Retry transaction after a few moments Verify internet connection is stable Check if payment gateway is experiencing delays Contact Moneris support if timeout persists Try transaction again with better network conditions
303	Host Unavailable - Payment processor unavailable	•Payment gateway maintenance •Server outage •Service temporarily unavailable •System overload	Wait a few minutes and try transaction again Check Moneris service status Contact Moneris technical support Verify if scheduled maintenance is in progress Try transaction again after service is restored

Terminal and Hardware Errors

Issues with terminal hardware, configuration, and system errors.

Code	Meaning	Possible Causes	Solutions
401	Terminal Error - Terminal hardware or software error	•Terminal malfunction •Software error •Hardware failure •Configuration issue •Firmware problem	Restart terminal and try transaction again Check terminal for error messages or indicators Verify terminal is properly configured Contact Moneris technical support for assistance Check terminal firmware is up to date If error persists, terminal may need service or replacement
402	Card Reader Error - Card reader malfunction	•Card reader hardware failure •Card reader dirty or damaged •Card insertion issue •Chip reader problem	Clean card reader with appropriate cleaning card Check card reader for visible damage or debris Try inserting card again carefully Verify card chip is not damaged Contact Moneris support if card reader needs replacement Try transaction with different card to isolate issue
403	Printer Error - Receipt printer malfunction	•Printer out of paper •Printer jam •Printer hardware failure •Printer connection issue	Check printer paper supply and reload if needed Clear any paper jams in printer Verify printer is properly connected Restart printer and try again Check printer for error indicators Contact support if printer needs service
404	Configuration Error - Terminal configuration issue	•Incorrect terminal settings •Merchant account configuration error •Terminal not properly set up •Configuration mismatch	Verify terminal configuration is correct Contact Moneris support to verify merchant account settings Check terminal setup documentation Ensure terminal is properly activated and configured Contact merchant services provider for configuration assistance

Security and Fraud Prevention Errors

Errors related to security checks, fraud prevention, and card verification.

Code	Meaning	Possible Causes	Solutions
501	Security Violation - Security check failed	•Card security features triggered •Suspicious transaction pattern •Card verification failed •Security protocol violation	Request customer to contact their bank Try transaction with different payment method Verify card is legitimate and not reported stolen Contact Moneris security team if fraud is suspected Follow security protocols and document incident
502	Card Blocked - Card has been blocked	•Card reported lost or stolen •Card issuer blocked card •Fraud prevention measure •Account security issue	Inform customer that card is blocked Request customer to contact their bank immediately Do not attempt transaction again with blocked card Customer must resolve issue with card issuer Suggest customer use alternative payment method
503	CVV/CVC Mismatch - Card verification code incorrect	•Incorrect CVV/CVC entered •Card verification code mismatch •Card details entered incorrectly	Request customer to re-enter CVV/CVC code Verify card details are entered correctly Check if card has CVV/CVC code (some cards may not) Try transaction again with correct verification code

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Important Information

If you encounter persistent errors or are unable to resolve an issue using the solutions provided, contact Moneris customer support for professional assistance. Some errors may require technical support, terminal configuration changes, or merchant account adjustments that must be handled by Moneris support staff. Never attempt to modify terminal hardware or software without proper authorization.

For technical support, contact Moneris customer service or your merchant services provider for expert assistance.

Support Information: Moneris provides 24/7 customer support for payment processing issues. Contact information is available through your merchant portal or on the Moneris website.

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Troubleshooting Guidelines

Common Resolution Steps

✓Always verify network connection before processing transactions
✓Keep terminal firmware and software up to date
✓Regularly clean card reader to prevent read errors
✓Monitor terminal for error messages and address promptly
✓Maintain adequate receipt paper supply
✓Document recurring errors for support reference

Prevention Strategies

✓Ensure stable internet connection for payment processing
✓Regular terminal maintenance and cleaning
✓Keep terminal in secure, protected location
✓Train staff on proper terminal operation
✓Monitor transaction reports for error patterns
✓Maintain backup payment processing method

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if a transaction is declined with error code 050?

Error code 050 indicates the transaction was declined by the card issuer. Inform the customer that their bank declined the transaction and request they contact their bank or use a different payment method. Verify card details are entered correctly and try the transaction again if appropriate.

How do I resolve a PIN error (code 201)?

Error code 201 means an incorrect PIN was entered. Request the customer to re-enter their PIN carefully. Verify the PIN pad is functioning correctly. If the PIN is blocked after multiple failed attempts, the customer must contact their bank to reset it.

What causes communication errors (code 301)?

Communication errors typically occur due to network connectivity issues. Check the terminal's network connection, verify internet connectivity, restart the terminal, and try the transaction again. If the problem persists, contact Moneris support.

How do I fix a card reader error (code 402)?

Card reader errors can be caused by dirty or damaged card readers, or damaged card chips. Clean the card reader with an appropriate cleaning card, check for visible damage, and try inserting the card again. If the issue persists, contact Moneris support for card reader replacement.

What should I do if I see a security violation error (code 501)?

Security violation errors indicate a security check failed. Request the customer to contact their bank, try a different payment method, and verify the card is legitimate. If fraud is suspected, contact Moneris security team and follow security protocols.

How often should I clean my payment terminal?

Regular cleaning helps prevent card reader errors. Clean the card reader weekly or more frequently in high-traffic environments. Use appropriate cleaning cards and follow manufacturer guidelines. Keep the terminal display and keypad clean as well.

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Summary

Proper interpretation of Moneris error codes is essential for efficient payment processing operations. This comprehensive reference enables quick problem identification and guides appropriate response actions. Moneris terminals display error codes on the terminal screen and in transaction receipts to indicate specific transaction and system issues. Understanding these codes helps maintain smooth payment processing and minimizes transaction delays.

ℹ️For persistent errors or issues that cannot be resolved using this guide, contact Moneris customer support for professional assistance. Some errors may require technical support, terminal configuration changes, or merchant account adjustments. Always document error codes and transaction details when contacting support for faster resolution. Note that error code formats may vary by terminal model and software version—always consult your specific terminal's documentation for precise interpretations.