Root Cause

• Merchant account limited to test mode: The account is currently configured to process only test charges and is not activated for live transactions.
• Incomplete account setup: The required steps to activate the account for live transactions have not been completed.
• Pending account verification: The payment gateway is awaiting required documents or compliance checks before enabling live charges.
• Account restricted by gateway: The gateway has enforced limitations restricting the account to test charges only.

Troubleshooting and Solutions

• Verify the current status of the merchant account and complete all steps to activate live transaction capabilities.
• Submit any pending documentation or complete required verification processes with the payment gateway.
• Inform customers that their transactions have not been processed and provide alternative payment methods if possible.
• Contact the payment gateway support team to understand and resolve any account restrictions.
• Retry the transaction only after confirming that the merchant account is enabled for live processing.