generic_decline
Catch-all decline with no specific reason from the issuer.
What just happened
Most common decline category. The bank just said 'no' without context.
Retry strategy
Smart retry on day 1, 3, 7. Add personalized email between attempts to lift recovery 2x.
What to tell the customer
Your bank declined the charge. Often a transient fraud check — we'll retry, or you can update your card now.
Recommended action
Auto-retry up to 3 times. Pair retries with email sequence + save offer on attempt 3.
Want to see what this looks like on your Stripe?
See how often "generic_decline" hits your Stripe account in the last 30 days — and how much MRR is at risk because of it.
Related codes
Frequently asked questions
Is "generic_decline" a soft or hard decline?+
It's classified as a soft decline: Temporary issue. Retry later — most resolve within 7 days with the right cadence.
Should I retry a "generic_decline" decline?+
Smart retry on day 1, 3, 7. Add personalized email between attempts to lift recovery 2x.
What should I tell my customer when this happens?+
Your bank declined the charge. Often a transient fraud check — we'll retry, or you can update your card now.
How do I prevent this decline going forward?+
Auto-retry up to 3 times. Pair retries with email sequence + save offer on attempt 3.
Does Rechurn handle this decline code automatically?+
Yes. Rechurn classifies "generic_decline" and runs the optimal retry cadence with a personalized email sequence. Run a free audit to see how many of your failed charges are this code.