# Reattempt failed recurring payments with Subscribe buttons (/archive/paypal-payments-standard/integration-guide/reattempt-failed-payment)



> **Warning:** This product is [deprecated](/archive/product-lifecycle) and should not be used for new integrations. Use [Payment Links and Buttons](/payment-links-buttons/overview) instead. For information about migrating, visit the [Upgrade Hub](https://developer.paypal.com/upgrade/wps/guide/).

A recurring payment fails if funds cannot be moved from the subscriber's PayPal account to your own. PayPal by default reattempts the failed payment a couple of times, then cancels the subscription if it continues to fail.

## How reattempts on failed recurring payments work [#how-reattempts-on-failed-recurring-payments-work]

To avoid overlapping payments, a reattempt will not occur if another subscription payment is scheduled within 14 days of the failed payment. Otherwise, PayPal reattempts a recurring payment three days after the recurring payment failed. If this first reattempt fails, PayPal waits 5 days to reattempt a second time. If the second reattempt fails, PayPal cancels the subscription.

> **Note:** **Note:** PayPal, rarely and for a variety of reasons, places temporary limits on subscribers' accounts. Such temporary limits could be in effect at the same time as a recurring payment. PayPal often lifts these temporary limits quickly.

### Reattempt example [#reattempt-example]

Subscription terms:

* A regular subscription for $20.00 USD a month, for one year

Bob signs up for the subscription on Feb. 12.

* On Mar. 12, PayPal attempts to collect Bob's recurring $20.00 payment for March, and the payment succeeds.
* On Apr. 12, PayPal attempts to collect Bob's recurring $20.00 payment, but the payment fails because of a temporary limit placed on Bob's PayPal account.
* On Apr. 15, PayPal reattempts to collect Bob's recurring $20.00 payment for April, but the payment fails again because the temporary limit remains on Bob's PayPal account.
* On Apr. 18, Bob takes action on his PayPal account, and PayPal lifts the temporary limit.
* On Apr. 20, PayPal reattempts to collect Bob's recurring $20.00 payment for April, and the payment succeeds.
* On May 12, PayPal attempts to collect Bob's recurring $20.00 payment for May, and the payment succeeds.

## Override reattempt default in HTML button code [#override-reattempt-default-in-html-button-code]

To override the default reattempt payment setting, you can specify the `sra` HTML variable with the value set to `0`. Only use this setting if you do not want PayPal to reattempt the failed payment.

To override the default reattempt payment setting, you can specify the [Subscribe: sample HTML button code](/archive/paypal-payments-standard/integration-guide/html-example-subscribe#reattempted-payments) HTML variable with the value set to

## See also [#see-also]

For information on PayPal subscribe buttons, see [subscribe button basic payment options](/archive/paypal-payments-standard/integration-guide/subscribe-step-1).