UPI error U98: Null acknowledgement for meta request
Raised by: NPCI UPI switch. Source: NPCI, UPI Error and Response Codes v2.9, section 4.4, errors from the UPI service layer.
What it means
NPCI received a null (empty) acknowledgement for a meta (non-payment) request.
No. This code comes from a setup step, such as registering your device or account, not from a payment.
No money moves at this step, so there's nothing to refund.
NPCI's UPI switch.
Technical: a system didn't respond or failed.
What you should do
Try the action again.
If you are a merchant, bank or PSP
Your meta API returned an empty ACK. Fix the response handler.
UPI error U98 kya hai?
U98 ka matlab hai meta request ka khaali acknowledgement aaya.
Related codes
If it still isn't sorted
- Raise a complaint inside your UPI app. Every UPI app has a help or dispute option on the transaction, and it goes into NPCI's online dispute system. Keep the UPI transaction ID or RRN handy.
- If the app doesn't resolve it, contact your bank's grievance desk with the same reference.
- If your bank hasn't replied within 30 days, or you're not happy with the reply, complain to the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in. It's free.
Technical or business decline?
NPCI splits declines into two kinds. A technical decline means a system didn't respond or failed: a bank offline, a timeout, a switch error. A business decline means the systems worked and said no, for a reason about the account or the payment: wrong PIN, not enough money, a limit, a risk check. Retrying helps with some technical declines and almost never with business ones.