ACH return codes
Quick reference for resolving ACH return errors — search 80 codes by number or reason.
Most common
Insufficient Funds
The available and/or cash reserve balance is not sufficient to cover the dollar value of the debit entry.
Account Closed
A previously active account has been closed by action of the customer or the RDFI.
No Account/Unable to Locate Account
The account number structure is valid and it passes the check digit validation, but the account number does not correspond to the individual identified in the Entry, or the account number designated is not an open account.
Invalid Account Number
The account number structure is not valid.
Unauthorized Debit to Consumer Account Using Corporate SEC Code
A CCD or CTX debit entry was transmitted to a consumer account of the receiver and was not authorized by the receiver.
Returned per ODFI's Request
The RDFI has returned the entry at the request of the ODFI.
Authorization Revoked by Customer
The RDFI's customer (the Receiver) has revoked the authorization previously provided to the Originator for this particular transaction.
Payment Stopped
The receiver of a recurring debit transaction has stopped payment on a specific ACH debit.
Uncollected Funds
Sufficient book or ledger balance exists to satisfy the dollar value of the transaction, but the dollar value of transactions in the process of collection (i.e., uncollected checks) brings the available and/or cash reserve balance below the dollar value of the debit entry.
Customer Advises Originator is Not Known to Receiver and/or Originator is Not Authorized by Receiver to Debit Receiver's Account.
Customer Advises Originator is Not Known to Receiver and/or Originator is Not Authorized by Receiver to Debit Receiver's Account.
Account Frozen/Entry Returned per OFAC Instruction
(1) Access to the account has been restricted due to legal action or specific action undertaken by the RDFI, or (2) The OFAC (The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury) has instructed the Gateway or RDFI to return the Entry.
Corporate Customer Advises Not Authorized
Corporate customer advises not authorized.
Understanding ACH return codes
An ACH return code is a 3-character identifier banks use to explain why an ACH transaction failed. Codes start with R, followed by a 2-digit number (R01–R85). They tell the originator what went wrong so they can act.
Identify problems fast
Every return code points to a specific reason a transfer failed. Knowing the code is the first step to resolving the issue.
Stay compliant
Nacha rules dictate how quickly you must respond and how many times you can retry. Misreading a code can mean fines.
Improve your processes
Tracking the codes you see most often reveals where your payment workflow needs work — verification, timing, or follow-up.
Reduce returns over time
Understanding why returns happen lets you prevent them: cleaner data, better customer communication, smarter retries.
FAQs
Common questions about ACH return codes.
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