PayPal Payment Troubleshooting
Every subscription and recharge is paid through PayPal. When a card payment fails, PayPal usually shows only "Sorry, we weren't able to authorize your card" — the real reason sits with your bank. Find the message or situation that matches yours below.
"Sorry, we weren't able to authorize your card. Please choose another way to pay."
Why: Your card issuer declined the charge. PayPal shows this one generic message for every issuer decline and does not pass the reason on to PromotiAI, so the real reason is with your bank.
- Check your banking app, SMS or email — most banks log the declined attempt with a reason code.
- Match the reason to one of the entries below and apply that fix.
- Or press "Change" on the same PayPal screen and pay with a different card, your PayPal balance or a linked bank account.
"TXN NOT PERMITTED TO ACQ/TERMINAL" (transaction not permitted)
Why: Your bank refused the payment because a usage setting on the card blocks it. The most common culprit is the card's POS / ATM (in-store and terminal) usage switch in your banking app: with it turned off, many banks also refuse PayPal charges, even if online payments look enabled. A replacement card from the same bank fails the same way when the new card has the same setting off.
- Open the card's settings in your banking app and turn on POS / ATM usage (sometimes labelled "in-store payments" or "card at terminals").
- In the same place, make sure online and international payments are turned on too.
- Retry the checkout. You can switch POS / ATM usage back off after the payment succeeds, but renewals will fail again while it is off.
- If every switch is already on, call your bank and ask why payments to PayPal are not permitted, or pay with a card from a different bank.
Card works in local shops but fails online
Why: Many debit cards are issued with international or online payments switched off. PromotiAI bills in USD through PayPal, which most banks treat as a foreign online transaction.
- Enable international and online payments for the card in your banking app.
- Check the card's daily online spending limit is above the plan price.
- Retry the checkout.
A one-time recharge works, but subscribing fails
Why: A subscription sets up automatic payments. Some prepaid, virtual and debit cards refuse merchant-initiated recurring charges even though they accept one-time payments.
- Subscribe with a regular credit card, your PayPal balance or a bank account linked to PayPal.
- Or use a one-time manual recharge, which does not store a recurring agreement.
Bank verification (OTP / 3-D Secure) failed or timed out
Why: Some banks ask you to confirm online payments with a one-time code or an approval in their app. If it is not completed in time, the charge is declined.
- Retry the checkout and keep your phone and banking app at hand.
- Approve the payment as soon as the code or notification arrives.
Insufficient funds, expired card or details that don't match
Why: The balance or credit limit is below the charge, the card has expired, or the card details saved in PayPal no longer match what your bank has on file.
- Check the available balance or credit limit covers the USD amount plus any currency conversion fee.
- Update or re-add the card in your PayPal Wallet, then retry.
PayPal asks you to verify your account, or shows a limitation
Why: PayPal can restrict payments from an account until you confirm your identity, email or a linked card or bank.
- Log in to PayPal and complete any open verification or limitation steps it shows.
- Retry the checkout once PayPal lifts the restriction.
My monthly renewal failed and the workspace is paused
Why: PayPal could not charge the card on your subscription. PayPal does not retry a suspended subscription on its own.
- Change the card behind the subscription on PayPal's automatic payments page (https://www.paypal.com/myaccount/autopay/).
- Back in PromotiAI, press "Pay now" on the payment banner to collect the outstanding balance and resume everything.
- If the subscription can no longer be resumed, choose a plan again from Billing.
I paid, but my plan or credits are not showing
Why: Your plan is activated when PayPal returns you to PromotiAI. If the tab was closed before that, activation waits for PayPal's confirmation, which can take a few minutes.
- Open Billing in PromotiAI — returning there finishes the activation.
- If it is still missing after an hour, email [email protected] with your PayPal transaction ID.
Still stuck? Email [email protected] with the exact message PayPal showed and, if you have one, the PayPal transaction ID.