Invalid payment method - authorization hold failed.

[rahbadev]

Select Topic Area

Bug

Copilot Feature Area

General

Body

i wan't test github copilot but
Invalid payment method - authorization hold failed.

[Akash1134]

Hi @rahbadev 👋,

Thank you for posting in the GitHub Community! I understand you're experiencing an "Invalid payment method - authorization hold failed" error when trying to test GitHub Copilot.

This error typically occurs when GitHub attempts to place a temporary authorization hold on your credit card to verify it's valid before activating your Copilot subscription, but the hold is being declined by your bank or card issuer.

Here are some steps you can take to resolve this issue:

Check your card details

• Verify that your card number, expiration date, CVV, and billing address are entered correctly in your GitHub payment settings.
• Ensure your card hasn't expired.
• You can update your payment information by going to your Settings → Billing & Licensing → Payment information.

Common reasons for authorization holds failing

1. Insufficient funds: Ensure your card has enough available balance.
2. Card restrictions: Some banks place restrictions on international transactions, online purchases, or automatic recurring charges.
3. Fraud protection: Your bank might be flagging the transaction as suspicious.

What to do next

1. Contact your bank: Inform them you're trying to make a purchase with GitHub and ask why the authorization hold is being declined. Sometimes they can approve the transaction on their end.
2. Try a different payment method: You can try using a different credit card or PayPal as an alternative payment method.
3. Check for error messages: If you received a specific error message from your bank in an email, this can provide additional details about why the charge was declined.

If you're still experiencing issues after trying these steps, you can contact GitHub Support with specific details about the error you're seeing.

For more information about payment methods and troubleshooting billing issues, you can check out these resources:

• Managing your payment and billing information
• Troubleshooting a declined credit card charge
• About billing for GitHub Copilot

Would you be able to try these steps and let us know if the issue persists? We're here to help!

[RafeKop]

I have the same problem. I made a payment for GitHub Pro. I received an email confirming payment was made, and the amount has been debited from my bank account. My payment status in my Payment History appears to be "success," but in my Account I see the message "We are having a problem billing your account. Please update your payment method or call your payment provider for details on why the transaction failed." In Payment Information I see: "Invalid payment method - authorization hold failed."If I've already had money withdrawn from my bank account but can't use PRO services, what should I do?

[dewifebriani-project]

Hi @Akash1134 ,

Thank you for the detailed troubleshooting steps. I'm experiencing the exact same "Invalid payment method - authorization hold failed" error.

What's interesting is that my Visa card, which failed the authorization on GitHub, works perfectly fine for other international online subscriptions. I just successfully used the same card for a Google AI Platform (GLM) subscription moments ago without any issues.

This suggests that the problem likely isn't related to:

Insufficient funds.

An expired card.

A general block on international transactions from my bank.

The issue seems to be specific to how GitHub's payment processor interacts with certain cards or banks for the authorization hold, especially since the card is valid and functional with other major online merchants. I am based in Indonesia, which might be a relevant factor.

Has anyone facing this specific scenario (card works elsewhere but fails on GitHub) found a workaround? It feels like contacting the bank might not be the solution if they are already approving other, similar transactions.

Thanks for any insights!

[sizoune]

how to cancel my payment since my card always fail to pay ? i still got Invalid payment method even though i already remove my payment information

[AgungHari]

i got "Invalid payment method - authorization hold failed." after i receive that i quickly use my phone to pay for copilot pro and pay 10$ , but even after i pay 10$ i still got "Invalid payment method - authorization hold failed." any fix? or i have to accept my 10$ lost? is copilot pro is scam?

[akhilchandran]

In India, you can't hold without OTP verification. I don't see any otp here.

[wawananakkaili]

i Need Help, i cant do payment, i use mastercard

[Ito84]

I got the same Problem.! i use Mastercard, and i tried Visa to, same problem!!

Your account is currently locked due to a failed billing authorization. Please update your payment information.

[Ito84]

pls help

[yanyiik99]

I got same problem right now

[wawananakkaili]

not responded :'(

[shyam-rajput]

I getting this message when i addidng my card for payment then my card is on hold for the validation since last one week

[egorderg]

I get the same error and i got like 2-3 messages where 10$ payments were blocked even i wanted to use the 30 day free version ...

[1donkey]

I met with the same question

[abreyu]

same issue here

[yanyiik99]

do you fix with that?

[ITiburoncinI]

También tengo el mismo problema probé con mi tarjeta de debito visa , también con una MasterCard y por ultimo con mi cuenta de PayPal , todas me tiran el mismo error.

[shyam-rajput]

No it's not fix

…

On Thu, 9 Oct, 2025, 11:26 am yanyiik99, ***@***.***> wrote: do you fix with that? — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#162989 (reply in thread)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/A52IG2CYXMQP3ISGHYP4YPL3WX2IVAVCNFSM6AAAAAB7NCIT26VHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43URDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHMYTINRTGI4DOMY> . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[yanyiik99]

tell me evryone if you are fix with this payment

[yanyiik99]

I have fix this problem, with use paypal account you can fix the bug & subscribe your copilot hehehehe