V
Visa Network Response CodesVisa Z3
Unable to Go Online – Offline Declined
Soft Decline
Temporary failures that may succeed on retry
Retryable
This decline may succeed on retry
Description
The terminal was unable to connect online for authorization, and the offline parameters on the card resulted in a decline.
Recommended Action
Retry the transaction when online connectivity is restored.
Common Causes
- Network connectivity lost at the terminal
- Card offline limits exceeded
- Terminal forced offline and card does not support offline authorization
Recovery Tips
- Check network connectivity and retry
- Ensure the terminal has a stable internet connection
- Process the transaction when online connectivity is available
Quick Reference
Code
Z3
Category
Soft Decline
Retryable
Yes
Source
Visa
Recoverability verdict
This is a soft decline. This revenue is often recoverable.
Payments failing with code Z3 are often recoverable with the right retry timing and routing. Slicker recovers up to 70% of soft declines with smart retries.
Related Decline Codes
01Retryable
Refer to Card Issuer
The issuing bank is requesting the merchant to contact them before proceeding. This is a generic referral code indicating the issuer wants more information or verification.
02Retryable
Refer to Card Issuer (Special Condition)
Similar to code 01 but indicates a special condition. The issuing bank wants the merchant to contact them for a specific reason related to the account.
03Retryable
Invalid Merchant
The merchant ID or terminal configuration is not recognized or not valid for this transaction type. This typically indicates a setup issue rather than a cardholder problem.
05Retryable
Do Not Honor
The issuing bank has declined the transaction without providing a specific reason. This is one of the most common decline codes and can be temporary or permanent depending on the issuer's internal risk assessment.