Beginner
How to enable payment methods on Stripe
Quick Answer
Enable payment methods on Stripe by accessing your Dashboard, navigating to Settings > Payment methods, and activating desired options like cards, wallets, and bank transfers. Each method may require additional verification or setup steps depending on your business location and type.
Prerequisites
- Active Stripe account
- Business verification completed
- Dashboard access permissions
- Bank account connected for payouts
1
Access Stripe Dashboard
Log into your Stripe account and navigate to the main Dashboard. Click on Settings in the left sidebar, then select Payment methods from the dropdown menu.
Tip
Bookmark the Payment methods page for quick access during setup.
2
Review Available Payment Methods
On the Payment methods page, you'll see all available options for your region. Common methods include Cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), Bank transfers (ACH, SEPA), and Buy now, pay later services (Affirm, Klarna).
Tip
Payment method availability varies by country and business type.
3
Enable Card Payments
Click the toggle switch next to Cards to enable credit and debit card payments. Select which card brands to accept by checking the boxes for Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Card payments are typically enabled by default for most accounts.
Tip
American Express has slightly higher fees but is popular with business customers.
4
Configure Digital Wallets
In the Wallets section, enable Apple Pay and Google Pay by clicking their respective toggle switches. These require no additional setup if card payments are already enabled. For PayPal, click Enable and follow the connection prompts to link your PayPal business account.
Tip
Digital wallets can increase conversion rates by reducing checkout friction.
5
Set Up Bank Transfer Methods
Enable bank transfers by toggling on ACH Direct Debit (US), SEPA Direct Debit (EU), or other regional options. Click Configure to set up payment timing and mandate requirements. For instant bank transfers, enable ACH Credit Transfer or equivalent options.
Tip
Bank transfers typically have lower fees but longer settlement times.
6
Enable Buy Now, Pay Later Options
In the Buy now, pay later section, enable services like Affirm, Klarna, or Afterpay by clicking their toggle switches. Each service may require additional approval - click Apply and complete the application process with your business information.
Tip
BNPL options can increase average order values but may have eligibility requirements.
7
Configure Regional Payment Methods
Scroll to Local payment methods to enable region-specific options like iDEAL (Netherlands), Giropay (Germany), Alipay (China), or UPI (India). Click the toggle switches for methods relevant to your target markets.
Tip
Local payment methods are crucial for international expansion and customer trust.
8
Test and Activate Changes
After enabling desired payment methods, click Save changes at the bottom of the page. Use Stripe's Test mode to verify each payment method works correctly with your integration. Toggle to Live mode when testing is complete and you're ready to accept real payments.
Tip
Always test payment methods in your actual checkout flow before going live.
Troubleshooting
Payment method not showing in checkout
Verify the payment method is enabled in Live mode, not just Test mode. Check that your integration code includes the payment method in the
payment_method_types array when creating Payment Intents.Regional payment methods unavailable
Ensure your Stripe account country matches the region for local payment methods. Some methods require additional business verification or have minimum transaction volume requirements.
Buy now, pay later application rejected
Review the rejection email for specific reasons. Common issues include insufficient business history, high-risk industry classification, or incomplete business verification. Contact Stripe support with your business details for reconsideration.
Cards being declined frequently
Check your Radar fraud prevention settings under Settings > Fraud prevention. Overly strict rules may block legitimate transactions. Review decline codes in your Dashboard to identify patterns.
Ready to get started with Stripe?
Put this tutorial into practice. Visit Stripe and follow the steps above.
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