Cards can be blocked for different reasons. You can go to the card details page to have more information about the block reason and how to recover.
When more than one reason applies, the most important reason is shown on the card page to guide you on what to do next. A card stays blocked until all blocking reasons have been resolved.
This article explains how priority works, what you'll see in the product, and how to recover from each block reason.
How priority works
Most important reason displayed
If multiple block reasons apply at the same time, the card page displays the most important reason first. You'll also see who blocked the card when applicable.
Actions to unblock a card
When an action is available to you (for example, too many missing receipts), you'll see information in the blocking message on the card page explaining what to do next. The card will stay blocked until all issues are fixed: Clearing one reason may not immediately unblock the card if other reasons still apply. Resolve each active reason to fully restore the card.
Blocking reasons
Sorted from the most important to the least and how to fix them.
User‑initiated blocks
What it means: The cardholder (or an admin acting on their behalf) manually blocked the card.
What you'll see: "Blocked by [cardholder/admin] since [date]"
How to recover Cardholder: Go to the card page and choose Unblock (if your permissions allow). Admins: Open the card from the requester's profile and choose Unblock.
Note: This requires a manual unblock. The card will remain blocked until someone unblocks it.
Control rule blocks (Play by the Rules)
What it means: Your company's Play by the Rules (PBR) settings require you to complete specific actions (for example, submit a receipt or add missing information to a Payment). Until you do, the card is blocked.
What you'll see: Card has been blocked due to missing receipts
How to recover: Provide missing information for the Payments needing it. The card will automatically unblock once requirements are met.
Agent‑initiated blocks
What it means: A Spendesk banking operator blocked the card, typically for security reasons.
What you'll see: Card has been blocked by Spendesk
How to recover: Contact your admin or Spendesk Support to review and unblock.
Cardholders cannot unblock this themselves. The card remains blocked until a manual unblock is completed by security.
Schedule‑initiated blocks
What it means: The card is available according to a schedule defined by your company (for example, only usable on weekdays between 9:00 and 17:00 in a specific timezone).
What you'll see: Card has been blocked due to configured schedule
How to recover: Wait until the next authorised time. You can find this in the My Card page. Admins can edit or disable the schedule in the card settings if needed. If the schedule is deactivated, the block will no longer be enforced.
Process‑initiated blocks
What it means: The card is temporarily blocked by an ongoing process.
Typical scenarios:
Request process: During approval, rejection, or finalisation of a request
Subscription process: When subscription status changes (active to inactive), during a subscription update, or during a transfer
Single‑purchase process: After the single‑purchase transaction is settled, when a single‑use card expires, or when the purchase workflow completes
What you'll see: Restricted access
How to recover: Wait a bit for the workflow to finalize. If it seems stuck, contact your admin. No manual action is usually required unless your admin advises otherwise.
Banking partner blocks
What it means: Our banking partner has blocked the card (for example, for security or network reasons).
What you'll see: Restricted access
How to recover: Contact Spendesk Support (or your admin, who can contact Support) to investigate. Unblock timing depends on the banking partner's review and resolution.
System process blocks
What it means: Card is temporarily blocked by a system process, typically related to specific account or company changes.
What you'll see: Restricted access
How to recover: Nothing to do. The card will be unblocked when the process has completed. If the block persists longer than expected, contact Spendesk Support.
FAQs
Why is my card still blocked after I fixed one issue?
Multiple block reasons can apply at once. The card will only be usable again after all reasons are resolved. If you've fixed one reason and the card remains blocked, check the card page for the next most important reason.
Can I see who blocked the card?
Yes, when applicable the card page shows who blocked the card (for example, a user or an agent).
Can I see all block reasons at once?
You'll always see the most important reason first. Resolve it, then refresh the card page to see if any remaining reasons still apply.
How long do automatic unblocks take?
PBR: Immediately after you complete the required action, though it can take a short moment to reflect.
Schedules: At the next scheduled time window.
Process‑initiated: When the related workflow finishes. If it takes longer than expected, contact your admin or Spendesk Support.