Debit cards may lack contactless functionality if they are older, not yet upgraded by the bank, or if the feature is disabled in your banking app. Other common reasons include physical damage to the internal antenna from bending, reaching a contactless limit, or the terminal not supporting tap-to-pay.
If contactless payments are declined, first check the card's NFC chip and ensure it is undamaged. Verify sufficient funds and card activation status with your bank. Clean the card and terminal reader to remove dirt or debris. Restart the payment terminal to reset its NFC reader.
The first time you use your contactless card, you'll need to use chip and PIN or sign for your purchase. Once you've done that, all future transactions can be contactless. Hold your card close to the reader - around two to four centimetres - for it to work.
Set up tap to pay
Contactless payments
Check for physical issues and make sure your account has sufficient funds. What stops contactless cards from working? Common issues include card damage, exceeding transaction limits, outdated card technology, or problems with the payment terminal. Make sure your card is clean, active, and has enough balance.
If the card still doesn't read, ask the customer to slide the card to center the chip directly over the notch on the device. If the contactless card remains unread without any feedback from the interface, the card might have a damaged antenna or might not work with contactless payments.
How do I know if my card or device can make contactless payments? You'll see the Contactless Indicator on your card.
On Android, the simplest failure is that NFC is off. Check the toggle first, as turning NFC on often resolves the issue immediately. Approximately 30% of NFC issues are caused by the feature being turned off on Android devices. Make this toggle the mandatory first step in any field checklist.
Activate your contactless card
When you get your new contactless card, you must use it for a Chip and PIN transaction or an ATM cash withdrawal before making a contactless purchase (so we know you've received your card). Once you've done that, you're ready to make contactless payments.
Fix other issues
You've probably used it without thinking – the quick “tap, beep, done” way to pay. Contactless means you don't need to faff with chip & PIN or cash; your card, phone or smart watch has a tiny chip that securely transmits payment details. Cards: Almost all new UK debit and credit cards are contactless.
When you get a new card, you'll need to use it with your PIN in a shop, or at a cash machine, to enable contactless payments. You can make contactless payments wherever you see the contactless symbol, both in the UK and abroad1. We'll occasionally ask you to enter your PIN, to prove it's you using the card.
In your bank's app, check your card settings.
Check if your software is Play Protect certified. If you could previously make contactless payments with Google Wallet but no longer can, contact your device manufacturer. There may have been a software update that affects functionality. If you modified your phone, make sure that it meets security standards.
If your phone is unresponsive or insensitive when NFC reads the physical card, you can troubleshoot as follows: Make sure NFC is turned on. Please pull down the notification center to confirm that the NFC switch is turned on. Please adjust the reading method and distance.
1. Turn on near field communication (NFC)
If you've tapped a credit or debit card or paid for a purchase with a mobile wallet, you've used NFC technology. These days, most credit and debit cards, smartphones and wearables in Canada are equipped with NFC, and most businesses have NFC-enabled card readers that allow them to accept contactless payment methods.
You can check for NFC settings on your Samsung Android device by looking in the settings app > connections > tap NFC and contactless payments. If you see an option for NFC there, your device is enabled to make NFC payments.
Use Online Banking: Log in to your bank's online banking portal or mobile app. There should be an option to check the status of your card under the account or card management section. Visit an ATM: Insert your card into an ATM and try to perform a transaction, such as checking your balance or making a small withdrawal.
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.
NFC no longer works on your phone
It could be that the antenna is broken, which means you can no longer read the NFC tags. This is actually the worst-case scenario. You will have to buy a new phone to be able to read NFC tags again.