To fix Tap to Pay, ensure NFC is enabled in settings, the phone is unlocked, and the app (Google Wallet/Apple Wallet) is updated. Common solutions include restarting the phone, removing and re-adding your card, removing your phone case, or updating your OS. If it still fails, ensure the phone is held directly against the terminal for a few seconds.
Tap to Pay not working usually stems from phone settings (NFC off, locked screen), physical obstructions (thick case), expired/invalid card, merchant issues, or app glitches, requiring you to unlock your phone, remove/re-add cards, check NFC settings, update the app, or restart your device to resolve.
Make sure your card is activated for contactless payments, check if it's damaged, and ensure you haven't exceeded the transaction limit. If all else fails, use chip and PIN instead. Why isn't my tap card working? Your tap card might not work if it's damaged, dirty, or has reached its contactless limit.
Your card didn't work, it may be because: There's a problem with the terminal. There's a problem with your card. You might have reached the contactless limit on your card and for security reasons you will need to insert your card and complete a chip and PIN transaction.
Set up tap to pay
Important: If you can't pay contactless, check if you've completed the following steps:
If you receive a “Something's wrong” message during a Tap to Pay sale, confirm the following:
A Tap to Pay on iPhone payment can be declined for various reasons, including insufficient amount in your customer's account, or technical issues in contacting their bank. If this happens, you can ask your customer to use a different payment method, such as a different card or a digital wallet.
Tap to Pay not working usually stems from phone settings (NFC off, locked screen), physical obstructions (thick case), expired/invalid card, merchant issues, or app glitches, requiring you to unlock your phone, remove/re-add cards, check NFC settings, update the app, or restart your device to resolve.
If Apple Pay suddenly stops working, try restarting your iPhone, checking for iOS updates, ensuring your card is valid with your bank (insufficient funds/restrictions), verifying the merchant terminal supports Apple Pay, and checking Apple's System Status page for outages; if issues persist, remove and re-add the card in the Wallet app.
Important: To troubleshoot issues that occur before the tap screen appears or after a successful tap, contact your payment app developer or payment service provider.
Physical and Terminal Interference
Heavy metal cases 1-(855)(518)(8609) or credit cards tucked behind your phone can interfere with the NFC sensor. Try holding the 1-(855)(518)(8609) top of your iPhone much closer to the contactless symbol on the terminal.
Go to the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap Wallet & Apple Pay, then tap Apple Pay Defaults. Set any of the following: Transaction defaults: Set the default card, your shipping address, email, and phone number.
To prepare your Android device to use Tap to Pay: Ensure your device is running Android 9 or higher. On your device, navigate to Settings > Connections > NFC and Contactless Payments, then toggle ON Use NFC.
With Tap to Pay on iPhone, customers' payment data is protected by the same technology that makes Apple Pay private and secure. All transactions made using Tap to Pay on iPhone are encrypted and processed using the Secure Element and, as with Apple Pay, Apple doesn't know what's being purchased or who is buying it.
Tap to Pay not working usually stems from phone settings (NFC off, locked screen), physical obstructions (thick case), expired/invalid card, merchant issues, or app glitches, requiring you to unlock your phone, remove/re-add cards, check NFC settings, update the app, or restart your device to resolve.
If Apple Pay's double-click isn't working, first check your settings to enable the feature in Wallet & Apple Pay, ensure you have a card added to Wallet, and try a faster double-click; if that fails, restart your iPhone, update iOS, or check for hardware issues with the side button or battery health.
Learn how to update your Android version.
Sometimes, contactless payments fail for security reasons. Simply insert your card into the terminal and enter your PIN to complete the payment. After doing this, contactless payments should work again.
Your card may be declined for a number of reasons: the card has expired; you're over your credit limit; the card issuer sees suspicious activity that could be a sign of fraud; or a hotel, rental car company, or other business placed a block (or hold) on your card for its estimated total of your bill.
Your NFC may not be working due to it being turned off, outdated software, interference from metal cases, or app conflicts. Hardware damage or improper positioning of the phone against the NFC tag or reader can also prevent proper functioning.