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Why did I get API error code 10501?

Issue
PayPal returned error 10501 - Invalid Configuration. This transaction cannot be processed due to an invalid merchant configuration.

Causes
Multiple issues, explained in the next few paragraphs, can produce this error:
  • You're trying to process payments on PayPal using a method that isn't enabled on your account. Most commonly, this happens when you select PayPal Payments Pro or PayPal Payments Advanced in your shopping cart without activating these products in your account.
  • You have yet to agree to the PayPal Billing Agreement, or it has somehow become disabled or inactive.

Solutions

PayPal product not activated

Check that you've been approved on PayPal for the product you selected in your shopping cart. You can also switch to a free product like Express Checkout or PayPal Payments Standard.

To apply for one of these products, log in to your account and click Contact at the bottom of any PayPal page.

Billing agreement disabled or inactive
Here's how to find the billing agreement on the PayPal Live site:
  1. Log in to your PayPal account.
  2. Click the Settings icon next to "Log out."
  3. Click Website Payments.
  4. Click Update next to My automatic payments. The Recurring payments dashboard page displays all billing agreements and whether they're disabled or inactive.
If you still get an error after accepting the billing agreement, login to your account and click Contact at the bottom of any PayPal page.

If you get this error in the Sandbox environment, see How do I set up Payflow Pro with PayPal Sandbox?

See the Developer Portal for a complete list of NVP/SOAP API error codes.
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