Stripe Balance Unavailable Meaning
Stripe balance unavailable means your funds cannot be paid out or used yet. Learn why Stripe shows this message and how to fix it.
STRIPE
Chris Walker
12/24/20251 min read


What Does Stripe Balance Unavailable Mean?
Stripe balance unavailable means that the money in your Stripe account cannot currently be used for payouts or transfers. The funds exist, but they are temporarily restricted or not yet cleared for use.
This message is shown by Stripe when funds are not ready for withdrawal.
Common Reasons for Stripe Balance Unavailable
This status usually appears for one or more of the following reasons:
Payments are still pending or processing
Payout schedule date has not arrived
New account holding period is active
Payouts are paused or on hold
Verification or compliance review is in progress
Recent refunds or chargebacks affected the balance
What Happens When Stripe Balance Is Unavailable?
When your balance is unavailable:
Funds cannot be paid out to your bank
Customer payments still work normally
The balance usually becomes available automatically
Money is not lost or removed
Once funds clear or restrictions are lifted, the balance updates.
How Long Does Stripe Balance Stay Unavailable?
The timeframe depends on the cause:
Card payments: 2–7 days to clear
New accounts: Up to 14 days
Reviews or holds: A few days to a couple of weeks
Stripe typically shows an estimated availability date in your dashboard.
How to Fix Stripe Balance Unavailable Issue
You can try the following:
Wait for pending payments to clear
Complete any required identity or business verification
Check if payouts are paused or on hold
Review refund and dispute activity
Contact Stripe support if no reason is shown
Most cases resolve automatically without action.
Is Stripe Balance Unavailable a Problem?
No. This is normal behavior, especially for new or growing accounts. It does not mean your account is suspended or permanently restricted.
Does Unavailable Balance Affect Customers?
No. Customers can continue making payments as usual. Only your ability to withdraw funds is affected temporarily.
Stripe balance unavailable means your funds are temporarily not ready for payout. Once payments clear or required checks are completed, the balance usually becomes available without issues.
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