Input error · recoverable

invalid_expiry_month

Expiry month is out of range or wrong format.

What just happened

Customer entered an invalid month (00, 13, etc.).

Retry strategy

Re-prompt for correct expiry.

What to tell the customer

Your card expiry month is invalid. Please re-enter it.

Recommended action

Use a date picker on checkout to prevent this.

Want to see what this looks like on your Stripe?

See how often "invalid_expiry_month" hits your Stripe account in the last 30 days — and how much MRR is at risk because of it.

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Related codes

incorrect_cvc

Customer entered the wrong CVC (3-4 digit code).

incorrect_number

Card number is invalid (wrong digits or fails Luhn check).

incorrect_pin

PIN entered doesn't match the card (in-person/POS context).

incorrect_zip

Postal/ZIP code didn't match the issuer's record (AVS check).

Frequently asked questions

Is "invalid_expiry_month" a soft or hard decline?+
It's classified as a input error: Wrong number, expiry, or CVC. Customer needs to re-enter card details.
Should I retry a "invalid_expiry_month" decline?+
Re-prompt for correct expiry.
What should I tell my customer when this happens?+
Your card expiry month is invalid. Please re-enter it.
How do I prevent this decline going forward?+
Use a date picker on checkout to prevent this.
Does Rechurn handle this decline code automatically?+
Yes. Rechurn classifies "invalid_expiry_month" 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.
All decline codes