Why is Your Walmart Gift Card Not Working?

You know that feeling when you’re at checkout, already imagining your order arriving, and then find your Walmart gift card not working.

Yeah. It’s annoying. But most of the time it’s not a “your card is broken forever” thing. It’s usually one small issue that’s easy to fix.

Let’s get your Walmart gift card up and running.

The 60-Second Fix Checklist

Do these in order (it saves time):

1. Check the balance first (online, in a Walmart store, or by phone at 1-888-537-5503).
2. Make sure your card has a PIN (online needs a PIN).
3. Re-type the card number + PIN slowly (typos happen more than we’d like to admit).
4. Switch how you’re checking out (Walmart app → browser, or self-checkout → staffed register).
5. If anyone is telling you to “pay” them with a gift card or send the code… stop. That’s a scam.

How Walmart Gift Cards Work?

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Buy Walmart Gift Card

A Walmart gift card is basically store credit you can use for purchases on Walmart.com and in U.S. Walmart stores. Some can also be used at Sam’s Club if you’re a member.

When you pay online, you enter the gift card number + PIN at checkout. If your total is higher than your balance, Walmart lets you pay the rest with another method.

Common Reasons for Your Walmart Gift Card not Working

Here are some reasons for your Walmart gift card not working:

1. Your Card Doesn’t Have a PIN

This one catches people out. If your plastic gift card has no PIN:

• you can use it in a Walmart store.
• you can’t use it online at Walmart.com.
• you can’t check the balance online or by phone.

Walmart’s fix is simple: you can trade it in for a new card with a PIN at a Walmart or Sam’s Club location in the U.S.

2. Wrong Card Number or PIN

This is the “boring” reason, but it’s super common.

Real-life example: you scratch the PIN area a bit too lightly, one number looks off, and now it keeps saying “invalid.”

Fix: enter it again slowly. If it’s an eGift, copy/paste from the email.

3. Not Enough Balance

If your gift card has $25 and your cart is $29.84, it can fail unless you cover the rest.

Walmart allows:

• up to five gift cards per order, and/or.
• combining a gift card with another payment method.

4. The Card Wasn’t Activated

Sometimes the card didn’t activate properly at purchase. Or it’s part of a larger order.

Walmart notes that if you order 25+ gift cards or $250+, they’ll email you about activation.

Fix: check the purchase email/receipt. If someone gifted it to you, ask them for the receipt or order confirmation.

5. Walmart Checkout is Glitching

Sometimes it’s not you. It’s the site/app.

Fix: Try Walmart app instead of browser (or the other way around).

• a different device.
• again, a bit later.
• in-store at a staffed register.

6. The Balance Was Drained

If you check the balance and it’s suddenly $0, or it shows it’s already used, treat it like a fraud situation.

Walmart says lost or stolen gift cards can’t be replaced, and they aren’t responsible for use by someone else.

That’s why buying from trusted places (and keeping your receipt) matters.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Walmart Gift Card

Here is a step-by-step breakdown on how to troubleshoot Walmart Gift Card:

Step 1: Check the balance

You’ll need the 16-digit number and PIN. You can check:

• online
• in a Walmart store
• by phone at 1-888-537-5503

Step 2: Confirm the card has a PIN (if you’re shopping online)

No PIN = online won’t work. Trade it for a PIN card at Walmart/Sam’s Club (U.S.).

Step 3: Apply it the right way at checkout

Walmart’s flow is: Checkout → Payment Method → Gift Card → add/select your card.

Step 4: If your cart total is higher than the car

Pay the difference with another payment method (or another gift card, up to five).

Step 5: If you suspect a scam

Walmart’s fraud guidance is clear: don’t share gift card info with people you don’t know and treat gift cards like cash.

The FTC says the same thing: if someone tells you to pay with a gift card, it’s a scam.

Walmart Gift Card Terms

Walmart gift cards have no fees and don’t expire. They’re generally not refundable for cash, except where required by law.

There are many other Walmart gift card terms you must know for a seamless gift card experience.

Final Thoughts

Most “Walmart gift card not working” problems are one of these: no PIN, wrong entry, low balance, or a glitch. Start with the balance check, confirm the PIN, then try checkout again cleanly.

If you want, paste the exact error message you’re seeing (like “invalid PIN” vs “can’t apply”), and I’ll tell you the most likely cause in one reply.