Error when adding payment instrument on my Xbox Account

Hi There,

Just to make sure you are adding the same name/address word for word that's listed under your credit card information? because even a slight variation can cause it to become declined. As a test run, try and add in your PayPal information, if you have it,
then see if you still get the same error.

As a small extra to what Ironwilled mention, you can also call your credit card provided to double check how they have the information on file, and at least with American Express I was able to add a few permutations of the address because they had changed
the names recently and some websites that fill out the information automatically didn't have the new ones.

You just go through the regular purchase steps and when you get asked how you want to pay, select Microsoft account. You may be asked to add another payment option except your credit card in case you have no payment instrument on your account, keep in mind though that the added payment instrument is just a backup plan, you won't be charged through it if you select the Microsoft account balance as your main payment instrument.

Hey bohy

Thank you for taking the time to post this on the Xbox Forums. We understand that you are currently experiencing difficulties with adding a payment instrument to you account.

Although your payment instrument on your console may match the local on your Xbox console, you may actually need to

update the region of your Microsoft account.

This actually requires you to sign into your account on the Xbox website and edit your

Xbox settings from here.

This should allow you to discard the error code you keep receiving when adding your card onto your account.

Give this a try and let us know if this works for you!

OK so can't edit my previous post so adding to it in this one trying to post the information clearly for support.

1. Tried to buy points on the xbox console and got a payment error.

2. Went to my account page on the computer and checked the card there, it was all current and correct.

3. So tried to buy points on the PC and the initial credit card on the account was fine for an initial purchase of 1000 points.

4. An additional 500 points could not be bought due to an error that stated the payment instrument could not be authorized.

5. Added my wife's card and the debit card neither would work.

6. Checked account balance for the debit card plenty of money there.

7. Tried my wife's card on my wife's account worked fine to buy two lots of 500 points, no issues there so the card is fine.

8. Tried it again on my account - payment instrument could not be authorized.

9. tried it again on the xbox worked fine and bought the 500 points I needed.

10. Tried it again on the pc - payment instrument could not be authorized.

The card is fine, there are no problems with the balance as checked by the bank and shown by the fact of then initial purchase and subsequent purchases on my wife's account and the purchase on the Xbox console after numerous tries online.

This is therefore an issue Microsoft's end and appears not to affect everyone but enough people that it warrants investigation.