Adding the mobile recharge service in your app or website is an effective way of serving your customers. Technique making it possible is called mobile recharge API. It works as a silent bridge, which processes instant top up processes by connecting your platform with all major telecom networks. 

Although, sometimes there is an interruption in this process. Errors may appear, thereby transactions may fail, and users can be disappointed. This guide explains these common errors in easy language and provides a clear solution. Whether you run a business or make a platform, this guide will help you to efficiently run your recharge services. 

How does recharge API work?

Think about paying a recharge for a customer on your website. Your website sends this order to a recharge API provider in India. This   provider forwards this request to the right mobile network (e.g. Airtel or Jio). The network processes it and replies to a success or fail message. 

In this series, any type of issue may be on any point. Finding out this, what did happen is the first step of solution. 

Common errors being in mobile recharge API and their solution 

Here are the most common errors, which are presented in brief for understanding them easily. 

1. "In valid mobile number" or "Not find number"

This common error means, API doesn't recognize your entered number. 

What is its cause?

  • Wrong format: Mobile numbers were sent without country code (for example, 91 for India). For example, sending 98XXXXXX01 instead of 9198XXXXXX01.  
  • Wrong height - An Indian mobile number should be 10 characters. If you send 9 or 11 characters, then an error is shown. 
  • Fake number - Number format is right, but it is not available in real. 

How to resolve it: 

  • Standardized input - Always send with country code (91 + 10-numerical number). 
  • Confirm it firstly - Add a common number check on your website before payment. Ensuring this, it is 10 numbers, This prevents that from happening.

Ask again: Tell the customer about the check and enter its number again. 

2. "Invalid operator" or "Operator are not available"

It means, the API can not recognize the mobile network (Jio, Vi, Airtel) or doesn't support that. 

What is the cause of it?

  • Wrong code: Maybe, number is any new or small operator, which doesn't support your API provider right now. 
  • Ported number: Maybe, the user has changed their network (for example, Vi to Airtel), but your system is looking for the previous operator right now also. 

How to resolve it?

  • Use auto-detection: Number detection facilities are available in modern recharge API. You send a mobile number, and the API looks at the operator automatically. It is the easiest solution. 
  • Update code: Ensure that your system uses the updated operator code of your API partner. 
  • Manual selection: If there are any errors, then give the permission to users to choose the operator manually. 

3. "Transaction fail" or "Payment error"

This comprehensive error indicates any issue connected with transaction money. 

What is its reason?

Low balance: Maybe, there is no sufficient amount in your accounts of your recharge API provider. 

  • Bank rejection - His bank has rejected his customer's card, UPI or net banking payment. 
  • Duplicate transaction: Same transaction has been sent twice from the same ID. 

How to resolve it 

  • Check your wallet - Ensuring that you have sufficient balance, login to your provider' dashboard. 
  • Try any other way -  If errors towards the customer side, then advise them to use any other payment option. 
  • Specific ID - Ensure that there is a unique ID of every transaction processed by your system, so that duplicate transactions are not.  

4. "Invalid amount" or "amount is not supported"

Your entered amount is not valid for that specific operator or plan. 

What is the cause of it?

  • Previous plan - Operators often frequently change the plan. Many Rs.199 plans, which you are preferring, have been changed from the new plan. 
  • Wrong circle - Plans are different-different according to zone (for example, Mumbai vs Kolkata). Maybe you are implementing the Mumbai numbers on a Kolkata mobile number. 

How to resolve it:

  • Use plan API: Don't let the user enter a custom amount to users. Apart from this, use your providers' "plan API". It shows updated, valid plans for any number, thereby users can choose from the list. It is the best solution. 
  • Stay updated - Continue to communicate with your API provider about changes in plans. 

5. "System error" or "API down"

This common error usually indicates any issue in the recharge API provider or telecom operator. 

Which is its reason?

  • Provider issue:  Your API can be shut down for your provider's server maintenance. 
  • Operator issue - Final telecom operator (e.g. Jio) may be technical issues. 

How to resolve it?

  • Wait and retry - These issues often resolve automatically some time later. Add a "retry"  button for unsuccessful transactions. 
  • View status page: Good providers have a good dashboard, which shows that's system status. Check it first. 
  • Communicate to support - If error persists, then communicate with your provider's support team. 

Choosing the provider avoiding the issues

The best way of resolving the issue is preventing them from happening. Starting from choosing a reliable recharge API provider in India. Focus on these:

  • High success rate - This number presents a stable and well built API. 
  • Number detection - This feature prevents automatic operator and number related issues. 
  • Clear dashboard - To see the reasons for tracking the transactions, checking balance and recharge fail, A user-friendly dashboard is most important. 
  • Good support - A support team which gives instant response, and helps to resolve the issues, is crucial. 

Read Also:  How Can Mobile Recharge API Improve Your Business?

Frequently asked questions: Mobile recharge API issue resolvation

1. What is mobile recharge API, and why does my business need it?

Mobile recharge API is such a tool, which lets the integrate the mobile top-up services directly in their website, app or software. It handles the connection with various telecom operators. Businesses use it to provide extra features to their users, boosting the engagements on their platform and generating extra revenue. 

2. I am getting "invalid operator" errors frequently. What is the easiest way to solve it?

The easiest and most effective way of its solution is to use such an API provider, which provides automatic number recognition. This feature allows the API to detect the right telecom operator only from mobile number, thereby manual errors related to choosing the wrong operator code is completely eliminated. 

Conclusion

Using a mobile recharge API is an excellent way of increasing your business. Although errors are rare, knowing how to handle them, from knowing it ensures a smooth experience for your users. Understanding these common issues and their easy solutions, you can make reliable service, which keeps your customers happy. Our goal is make recharge such as easy that users don't ever see the complex technique behind the screen.