Stripe decline code
expired_card
The card has passed its expiration date, so the charge can never succeed on the card currently on file.
Quick answer
expired_card is a hard decline. Retrying will keep failing; the customer has to act.
| Decline code | expired_card |
|---|---|
| Type | Hard (needs customer action) |
| Retrying helps? | No |
| Category | Expired or updated card |
| Customer fix | Add a current, non-expired card. |
Will retrying help?
No, retrying will keep failing
Do not waste retries. Send a dunning email immediately with a one-click card update page. Pre-dunning expiry reminders prevent most of these.
A real example
A subscriber's card expired three months ago; the next annual renewal silently fails against the dead card.
What the customer needs to do
Add a current, non-expired card.
Your recovery approach
Do not waste retries. Send a dunning email immediately with a one-click card update page. Pre-dunning expiry reminders prevent most of these.
Copy-paste recovery email
Subject
Your card needs updating, [First Name]
The card on file for [Product] is expired or out of date, so your renewal could not go through.
Add a current card and you are all set, it takes under a minute.
Recover expired_card declines on autopilot
SubRevival reads every decline code and responds correctly, retrying soft declines on smart timing and emailing customers for hard ones, with a hosted card update page. $19/mo flat.
FAQ
What does the Stripe "expired_card" decline code mean?
The card has passed its expiration date, so the charge can never succeed on the card currently on file.
Will retrying a "expired_card" decline work?
No. expired_card is a hard decline, so retrying the same card will keep failing. Do not waste retries. Send a dunning email immediately with a one-click card update page. Pre-dunning expiry reminders prevent most of these.
How do I recover a payment that failed with "expired_card"?
Do not waste retries. Send a dunning email immediately with a one-click card update page. Pre-dunning expiry reminders prevent most of these. Customer action: Add a current, non-expired card.
Related decline codes
Source: official Stripe decline codes documentation. Recovery guidance is SubRevival's own.