Why Is My Amazon Gift Card Code Not Working?
It can be fustrating not having an Amazon gift card code work. You likely assume the problem is that the gift card is unusable. However, this is rarely the problem if the card has already been redeemed. In fact, the issue is more likely to be a simple typing error, using the wrong Amazon account, or a delay on the Amazon end to update your card balance. To further complicate things, the card may have a regional lock.
There are a few simple checks to make before contacting support. Your Amazon account may just be linked to a differnt Amazon marketplace region. There are many reasons for this problem in regards to the Amazon account, the code, or the region. This tutorial will focus on the common problems regarding the Amazon gift card codes and what steps to take.
Look At Your Amazon Account First
The first thing you should look over is your Amazon account. There may be an account set up that is different from the one you usually use to redeem codes. This is likely if you have multiple Amazon accounts or have family members that share the devise. If this is the case, it is possible that the code was accidentally applied to the account.
This problem is very easy to overlook. The code may be valid, but the money may be in another account. Sign out, verify the email associated with your intended Amazon account, and then check your gift card balance again.
You should also check your Amazon gift card balance and activity. If the card was applied properly, Amazon should reflect the value on your balance or your transaction history. If you can’t see the balance, keep trying the other steps
Reason 1: Incorrectly Entered Code
A common reason an Amazon gift card code is invalid is simply due to mistyping. Gift card codes usually contain numbers and letters that can look very similar, especially when looked at from a printed card or a screenshot.
If the code is sent via email, do not type it out. When pasting the code, ensure there is no space before or after it. If it is from a physical card, ensure you do not skip any numbers and that you do not mix similar letters.
Also ensure it is a claim code and not an order number, serial number, receipt number, or a code that is a barcode. Many gift card receipts have a bunch of numbers, but only the claim code can be redeemed.
Reason 2: The Code is Invalid
A code may show as invalid if it is not a valid Amazon gift card claim code for the reason that it is incomplete, damaged, or the card itself was scratched too hard and the code is unreadable, or if the code is for a different type of voucher or promotion (non gift card).
If the code is damaged or scratched to a point where it is unreadable, do not attempt to try random combinations however many times. Guessing the missing characters will likely cause more harm to your case when attempting to explain your situation to support.
Look for proof of your purchase via email, a receipt, or order confirmation to verify what you bought. Confirm that the product is indeed an Amazon Gift Card for the correct Amazon store, as well as, any values associated with the order. If everything is in order and Amazon is still saying your code is invalid, reach out to the seller. Provide your order number, date of purchase, and the exact error message from Amazon.
Reason 3: The Code Has Already Been Used
If you see that Amazon states the gift card has already been redeemed, you should look at your gift card balance before saying that the code is stolen or faulty. The gift card might have been added to your account and is available to use.
To check recent balance activity, go to your Amazon gift card balance page. Look for a recent redemption of the same amount. It’s possible the balance was used during checkout or that the page didn’t refresh after the balance was applied.
If you still can’t find the balance, think about whether the card could have been redeemed on a different Amazon account. This can occur if multiple people share the same device, a family member helps to redeem the card, or the gift card code was sent to someone else.
If you or anyone you know redeemed the code, reach out to the seller or Amazon support. Provide your order number and the error message, but do not share the gift card code.
Reason 4: The Card Region Does Not Match the Amazon Store
Region mismatches are a common reason why Amazon Gift Cards do not work. Each country has specific Amazon stores, and the gift cards work with a specific Amazon marketplace.
For instance, gift cards purchased for New Zealand region will not work on Amazon AU, Amazon UK, Amazon CA, or any other local Amazon sites.Â
Always check the product title, country, and currency before making a purchase. Do not assume that a United States Amazon Gift Card will work on Amazon Australia if your account is primarily used on that site. Purchase the card that corresponds to the Amazon store that the recipient shops at.
Reason 5: The Balance Is Not Showing Yet
There are instances where the code may work but the expected balance does not appear. This can happen due to the account page not refreshing, the app being slow, or you are checking the wrong account.
Try logging out and then log back in. Then check the Gift Card Balance page again. If you redeemed on a browser, check in the Amazon app as well, or the other way around.
Check your transaction history as well. The card may have been applied automatically to an order placed recently. The balance will appear to be lower if the Amazon gift card balance was used at checkout.
Reason 6: Account Restrictions or Payment Issues
Account restrictions could apply to an Amazon Gift Card even if it is valid. There could be security reviews, unusual activity, payment issues, order holds, or restrictions based on the country.
Amazon might also need to confirm your identity before you are allowed to use a gift card balance for some purchases. There are also restrictions on applying balance to certain items, including physical products, digital products, subscriptions, and marketplace items.
If the code is redeemed, but the balance can’t be used, verify your account messages, order messages, payment problems, and notices from Amazon support.
Reason 7: The Card Was Not Activated Properly
An Amazon Gift Card that is physical might not work if it was improperly activated at the register. Digital cards can also experience issues with delivery or processing, though that is infrequent when bought from a good seller.
If the card is inactive or if the code has not worked from the start, keep the receipt or order confirmation. The seller may require the order number, purchase date, card balance, and error message to help him/her investigate.
Don’t throw away the receipt until the gift card has been redeemed.
What to Do If Your Amazon Gift Card Code Still Does Not Work
Start with the simple checks. Confirm the code, remove extra spaces, and make sure you are signed in to the right Amazon account. This is the fastest way to narrow down an Amazon gift card code not working problem before contacting support.
Next, determine the region of the Amazon store. If the code was issued for a different country’s Amazon site, that could be the cause of the situation. After purchase, it may not be possible to resolve region issues, so it is better to reach out to the seller as opposed to attempting to fix it multiple times.
If the card states that it is already used, go to your gift card balance and activity history. If you do not see that value, check other Amazon accounts you may have.
If the problem seems to be a restriction on your account, reach out to Amazon support. If the problem is about delivery, activation, or the item being in the wrong region, contact the seller and provide your order details.
How to Make Sure You Don’t Have These Problems Again
First and foremost, buy the correct country version.
Check if you are purchasing an Amazon Gift Card for Amazon.com, Amazon.com.au, Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.ca.
Buy from sellers that list the country, currency, value, delivery method, and support structure. Don’t buy from vague sellers and sellers with prices that are too low.
If you are buying the gift card for someone, let them know the region of the Amazon store. This can help prevent an Amazon gift card code not working issue caused by using the card on the wrong Amazon marketplace.
Final Thoughts
If an Amazon gift card code is not working, it does not automatically mean that the card is invalid. It is common for gift cards to be wrong because of user error, using the wrong account, redeeming it on the wrong Amazon marketplace, account restrictions, activation issues, or the code has already been redeemed.
To start, check the claim code, Amazon account, gift card balance, and store region. Once you identify the cause of the problem, you will be able to determine whether or not to contact Amazon support or the seller.
Make sure you pick the right country and currency before purchasing the gift card on Amazon. Choosing a trustworthy seller, providing clear regional details, and using your saved buyer preferences will help you avoid another issue with Amazon gift card codes not working.
