
If you're experiencing a pending issue with PayPal, it's likely due to a temporary hold on your payment, which can last anywhere from a few hours to several days.
PayPal's automatic risk assessment system may flag your payment for review if it doesn't meet certain criteria. This can happen if you're a new user or if the recipient's account has been flagged for suspicious activity.
The pending issue can be caused by a mismatch between your name and the name on your payment method, such as a credit card. This can happen even if your name is spelled correctly.
To resolve the issue, you can try contacting PayPal's customer support team for assistance.
Payment Issues
Payment issues can be frustrating, but understanding the common causes can help resolve them quickly.
If a payment is pending, it's often due to a failed payment attempt, which can happen if the seller's account is not verified or if the buyer's payment method is declined.
A common reason for a pending payment is an insufficient balance in the buyer's account, which can be caused by a hold on the funds or a temporary issue with the bank's system.
To resolve the issue, the buyer can try contacting their bank to resolve the hold or temporary issue, or they can try using a different payment method.
PayPal Payment Issues
PayPal payment issues can be frustrating, especially if you're trying to send or receive money.
According to the article, PayPal's payment processing times can be affected by bank holidays and weekends, which can cause delays in transactions.
If you're experiencing issues with PayPal, it's essential to check your account balance and ensure you have sufficient funds to complete the transaction.
PayPal's customer support is available 24/7, but they may not be able to resolve issues related to bank transfers or other third-party services.
If you're having trouble with a PayPal transaction, try contacting the recipient directly to see if they've received the payment.
Some common PayPal payment issues include failed transactions due to insufficient funds or incorrect payment details.
Common Reasons for Payment Pending
Payment pending can be frustrating, especially when you're expecting a payment to go through. It's essential to understand the common reasons behind this issue.
One of the main reasons a payment is in pending status is because the shopper needs to take further action to complete the payment.
Incorrect PayPal email (MID) configured at the payment method is another common reason for a pending payment. This can cause issues if the email address is not correct or if it's not linked to a verified PayPal account.
Incorrect or missing currency on payment can also lead to a pending status. Make sure you're using the correct currency for the transaction.
If a payment is pending or unclaimed, it's usually because the recipient hasn't received or hasn't accepted the payment yet.
Here are some common reasons for a payment to be pending or unclaimed:
- Incorrect email address or phone number
- Recipient needs to set up a PayPal account or verify their account
- Recipient has opted not to automatically accept certain payments
In some cases, you may not have the option to cancel the payment yourself. The recipient needs to accept or deny the payment within 30 days. If they don't, the payment will automatically be canceled after 30 days.
Canceling Payments
If a payment you sent is pending or unclaimed, it means the recipient hasn't received or hasn't accepted the payment yet.
The payment would be pending or unclaimed if it was sent to an email address or phone number that isn't registered to a verified PayPal account.
To cancel an unclaimed payment, you can follow these steps on the web:
- Go to Activity.
- Click Cancel under the payment in question.
- Follow the steps to cancel the payment.
You can also cancel an unclaimed payment on the app by tapping Wallet, then Activity, finding the payment and tapping to open, and finally tapping Cancel.
The payment will be automatically canceled after 30 days if the recipient hasn't accepted it, and the money will be sent back to the original payment method.
Refunds to bank accounts may take up to 5 business days, while refunds to credit or debit cards may take up to 30 days.
Temporary Holds
Temporary Holds are a common issue with PayPal pending transactions. It usually takes up to 5 business days for payments to clear your bank.
If your refund is on hold, it means the seller refunded you before the original payment could clear your bank. The refund will complete once the original payment clears.
Debit Card
Paying with a debit card can take a bit longer to process refunds.
Refunds to debit cards can take up to 5 business days to complete, but may take up to 30 days depending on your card company.
You can track refunds for checkout transactions by using the bank reference ID shown under Activity with your bank.
If a refund can't be applied to your debit card, it will be added to your PayPal balance instead.
Credit Card
Temporary holds can be frustrating, especially if you're waiting for a refund.
The refund to your credit card can take between 1-2 billing cycles, depending on the card issuer.
If you're refunded by eCheck, it must clear the sender's bank before you can receive it. This process usually takes up to 5 business days to complete, but in some cases, it may take longer.
Temporary Hold
Temporary holds can be frustrating, but they're usually a temporary solution to a payment issue. It usually takes up to 5 business days for payments to clear your bank.

If your refund shows as "on hold", it means the seller refunded before the original payment could clear your bank. The refund will complete once the original payment clears.
Don't worry, it's not uncommon for this to happen, and it's not a reflection on the seller or the refund process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my PayPal payment be pending?
Your PayPal payment will be pending for 3 to 4 days while it's under review. Once the review is complete, the payment will be released
How do I accept pending money on PayPal?
To accept pending money on PayPal, log into your account and click "Approve" next to the pending payment in the "Summary" section. This will confirm the payment and allow you to access the funds.
How can I get pending money from PayPal faster?
To get pending money from PayPal faster, use an approved shipping carrier and have them confirm delivery, which can release the hold on funds within one day. You can also print a shipping label via PayPal to expedite the process.
Sources
- https://www.saasant.com/blog/why-are-paypal-payments-pending/
- https://help.adyen.com/en_US/knowledge/payment-methods/wallets/why-is-a-paypal-payment-stuck-on-pending-status
- https://www.paypal.com/uk/cshelp/article/why-is-the-payment-i-sent-pending-or-unclaimed-can-i-cancel-it-help111
- https://www.paypal.com/ie/cshelp/article/why-is-the-payment-ive-sent-pending-or-unclaimed-can-i-cancel-it-help111
- https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/where-is-my-refund-help130
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