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Test Mode

Updated

Overview

Test Mode allows you to safely simulate credit card or ACH transactions without processing real payments. This is especially useful when setting up your payment systems or testing new features—helping you confirm that everything works before accepting real customer payments.

What Is Test Mode?

Test Mode is a setting that turns your entire payment gateway account into a test environment. Any transaction submitted while Test Mode is active will be simulated and will not reach your processor or bank. No real charges occur, and no funds are transferred.

Key Benefits:

  • Test website payment forms without running real transactions.
  • Confirm system functionality before going live.
  • Simulate errors to ensure your error-handling logic works.

When to Use Test Mode

  • New setup: Ensure your checkout process works as expected before accepting real payments.
  • Training staff: Safely walk through transaction processes with new employees.
  • System updates: Validate new integrations or customizations.

Important Note: Any data—transactions, subscriptions, saved payment methods—created in Test Mode will not appear once Test Mode is disabled. Likewise, live data won't show in Test Mode.

Prerequisites

To toggle Test Mode on or off:

  • You must have the Access Administrative Options permission.
  • Primary account users have this by default.

How to Enable or Disable Test Mode

  1. Log into your Merchant Portal.
  2. Go to the left menu → Options → Settings.
  3. Under Transaction Options, select Test Mode.
  4. Click the Enable Test Mode button.
  5. To return to Live Mode, repeat the steps and click Disable Test Mode.

Visual Indicators:

  • A pink banner appears at login when Test Mode is active.
  • A “Test Mode” label stays in the upper-right corner of your portal.

How to Flush Test Data

You can permanently delete (flush) all test records:

  1. Go to Options → Settings → Test Mode.
  2. Choose the type of data: Transactions, Subscriptions, Vault Records, Invoices, or Products.
  3. Select a date range.
  4. Click Flush Test Transactions.

Note: Flushed data cannot be recovered.

Limitations

  • No real funding: Transactions won't reach the bank.
  • Not per user: Enabling Test Mode affects the entire account.
  • No crossover: Data from Test Mode won't appear in Live Mode and vice versa.

Testing Information

Simulating Errors

Test Mode can simulate both approved and declined responses. Visit your integration portal for a full list of error triggers.

You can also use specific inputs to simulate common scenarios:

  • Declined Transaction: Submit an amount less than 1.00.
  • Fatal Error: Use an invalid card number.
  • AVS Match: Use 888 for the address field and 77777 for the zip code.
  • CVV Match: Use 999 in the CVV field.

Virtual Pin Pad Testing

You can test card-present functionality using a virtual device:

  • Use registration code T00001 in License Manager while in Test Mode.
  • This creates a “fake” device that works only in test environments.

Payer Authentication 2.0

This can be tested in Test Mode, as long as the service is active on your account.

Test Data

Use the following sample data to simulate transactions:

Card Type Test Number
Visa 4111111111111111
MasterCard 5431111111111111
Discover 6011000991300009
American Express 341111111111111
Diner's Club 30205252489926
JCB 3541963594572595
Maestro 6799990100000000019

Expiration Date: 10/25
ACH Account Number: 24413815
ACH Routing Number: 490000018

What Cannot Be Tested

  • Level III data responses
  • Production Cloud Terminals
  • Transaction routing on live accounts

Common Questions

Can I move test transactions to live mode?
No. You’ll need to re-run any test transactions once you return to Live Mode.

Will I be billed while in Test Mode?
Yes, the account may still incur base fees, but you won’t be charged per transaction.

Do AVS (Address Verification System) or CVV checks run in Test Mode?
Not by default. If needed, contact your Merchant Service Provider to request "Use New Test Mode Responses" be enabled.

Need Help?

If you have questions or need help enabling Test Mode, please contact your Merchant Service Provider.