The error “We’re having trouble with this transaction” on PayPal usually means something went wrong during payment processing.
Common Reasons
Payment Method Issues
- Your card may be declined by the bank.
- Insufficient funds in your PayPal balance or linked account.
- Expired or invalid card on file.
Account or Security Flags
- PayPal flagged the payment as unusual or risky (fraud prevention).
- Your account may be limited, restricted, or unverified.
Recipient’s Account Issues
- The seller’s account may not be able to receive payments (e.g., country restrictions, unverified).
- The merchant hasn’t set up their PayPal correctly.
Technical Glitches
- Browser or app cache issues.
- Temporary PayPal service outage.
How to Fix
Check Your Payment Method
- Make sure your card/bank details are up to date.
- Try a different card, bank, or PayPal balance.
Confirm Your Account
- Ensure your PayPal account is verified (email, phone, linked bank).
- Check for account limitations in your Resolution Center.
Try Again
- Use a different browser or the PayPal app.
- Clear your browser cache and cookies.
- Disable VPN/proxy (sometimes payments get blocked if the IP looks suspicious).
Contact the Seller
If the issue is on their side, they may need to fix their PayPal setup.
Check PayPal Status
Go to PayPal’s status page (https://www.paypal-status.com/) to see if there’s a temporary outage.
Contact PayPal Support
If everything looks fine but it still fails, reach out to PayPal directly.