Why Is Your Amazon Gift Card Not Working?

You know that moment when you’re ready to treat yourself, you scratch off the code, you type it in, and Amazon hits you with an error. Instant mood killer.

If your search history currently says, Amazon gift card not working, you’re in the right place. This guide walks you through the most common reasons it happens, the exact checks to do right now, what to do if it still won’t redeem, and how to avoid the drama next time.

Let’s get your money (or your gift) back on track.

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Reasons for Your Amazon Gift Card Not Working

If you find your gift card not working don’t panic, first understand the cause of your Amazon gift card is not working and then fix it accordingly.

Code was Entered Incorrectly

This is the classic. Amazon gift card codes can be long, and one tiny mistake can ruin your whole day. Common mix-ups:

• O vs 0 (letter O vs zero)
• I vs 1 (capital I vs number one)
• Missing a character
• Extra spaces when you copy/paste

Also, if the scratch-off strip is messy, some characters can look cursed.

Gift Card has Already Been Redeemed

If someone already redeemed that code, Amazon won’t let you redeem it again. This happens more than people think, especially with:

• Cards bought from random online sellers
• “Discount” gift card deals that are too good to be true
• Cards that were photographed or exposed before you got them

Sometimes it’s not even fraud. It can be a simple “someone in the house already redeemed it on the wrong account” situation.

Gift Card is Not Activated

Physical gift cards (especially those bought in stores) usually need to be activated at the checkout. If the cashier forgot, or the payment didn’t fully go through, the card might look real but won’t work.

This one feels unfair, because you’re standing there like, “Bro, I literally paid.”

Region or Country Mismatch

This is one of the biggest reasons people type “Amazon gift card not working” into Google.

Amazon gift cards are usually tied to one specific Amazon site, like Amazon.com (US), Amazon.co.uk (UK), Amazon.ca (Canada), or Amazon.de (Germany).

So, if you’re trying to redeem an Amazon.com gift card on an Amazon.co.uk account, it’s not going to play nice. It’s basically like trying to tap your London Oyster card in New York. Same energy, totally different system, and it just won’t work.

Gift Card Balance is Already Used

Sometimes the code redeems fine, but when you try to buy something, it doesn’t apply like you expected.

Common reasons:

• You already spent the balance earlier (easy to forget)
• Part of your order is not eligible for gift card balance
• Your order total is higher than your gift card balance and you need a backup payment method

Also, if you have multiple gift cards, it’s easy to assume the balance is bigger than it really is.

Amazon Account Issues

Sometimes the card is fine, but your Amazon account is the one acting up.

Examples:

• You’re logged into the wrong Amazon account
• Your account is temporarily locked or under review
• There’s a payment verification issue or suspicious activity flag

Not super common, but when it happens, it’s annoying because it’s not obvious.

Checks You Should Do if Your Amazon Gift Card is Not Working

Here’s the quick “do this in order” checklist. No overthinking, just vibes and logic.

Double Check the Code

Re-type it slowly instead of copy/pasting or look closely for O/0 and I/1. Make sure you’re not including spaces or extra characters.

If it’s a physical card, check if the code is fully revealed and readable. If the code is damaged or partly missing, don’t panic yet contact support to get help.

Check your Amazon Gift Card Balance

Sometimes you redeemed it already and forgot (it happens).

Go to Your Account then Gift cards and check gift card balance and Gift Card Activity.

If you see the card in your activity, you’re good. The issue might be applying it at checkout, not redeeming it.

Confirm your Amazon Account Region

This is the big one. Make sure you’re redeeming the card on the correct Amazon site:

• If your gift card says Amazon.com, redeem on Amazon.com
• If it’s Amazon.co.uk, redeem on Amazon.co.uk

Also check you’re not accidentally using the app for a different marketplace. People do this more than they admit.

Try Redeeming on a Different Device or Browser

Yes, it sounds like basic IT advice. Yes, it works sometimes. You can try:

1. Another browser (Chrome to Safari/Edge)
2. Incognito/private mode
3. Another device (phone to laptop)

Sometimes a cached login session or browser extension messes with the redemption flow.

Log Out and Log In

If you’re logged into the wrong account, you’ll be stuck in a loop.

Do a clean reset:

• Log out
• Log back in
• Confirm the email on the account
• Try redeeming again

If you’re managing multiple accounts (personal + work, or multiple marketplaces), this step is effective.

What to do if Your Amazon Gift Card is Still Not Working?

Okay. You’ve done all the right things and it’s still failing. At this point, don’t keep guessing. Time to switch to receipts and proof.

Contact Amazon Support

Amazon support can check what’s going on with the code on their side. They may be able to tell you:

• If it’s already redeemed
• If it’s invalid
• If it was never activated
• If it’s tied to a different region

What to have ready:

• The gift card code (obviously)
• Proof of purchase (order confirmation email, receipt photo, etc.)
• Where you bought it (store name, seller name, marketplace)

Pro tip: if you bought it online, keep the email receipt open while you chat.

Contact the Seller

This matters a lot depending on where it came from.

If you bought it from:

• Amazon directly: Amazon support is usually your best path.
• Retail Store: You may need the store receipt for activation issues.
• A third-party seller: Contact them ASAP and keep your messages in writing

If the seller is being shady or delaying, don’t “wait it out.” The longer you wait, the harder it can be to resolve depending on the platform’s rules.

How to Avoid Amazon Gift Card Issues?

No one wants a sequel to this stress. Here’s how to keep yourself safe in the future.

Always Check Region Before Buying

Before you buy, confirm:

• Which Amazon marketplace the card is for?
• Which Amazon site you actually use?

If you’re buying for someone else, ask which Amazon they use. It saves everyone a headache.

Buy from Trusted Sellers

The safest options are:

• Amazon directly
• Major retailers (big supermarkets, online via Send Credit)
• Official brand partners

Be extra careful with random websites or “discount gift card” marketplaces. If the deal looks unreal, it might be.

Wrapping It Up

If you find your Amazon gift card not working, it’s usually one of these:

• The code was typed wrong
• It was already redeemed
• It wasn’t activated (common with store-bought cards)
• The region doesn’t match your Amazon site
• You’re logged into the wrong account

Start with the quick checks, then move to Amazon support with proof if it still won’t work. And next time, buy from trusted sources and redeem early so you don’t get ambushed at checkout.