Samsung Galaxy NFC Payment Issues? Step-by-Step Fix


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If your Samsung Galaxy stops working with NFC payments (Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet), you’re not alone. After updates like One UI 6 and One UI 7, many users in the U.S. and Canada reported failed tap-to-pay, cards not verifying, or terminals not detecting the phone. Here’s the exact checklist I follow whenever my NFC payment stops working.


1. First Check: Is NFC Actually On?

  1. Swipe down to open Quick Settings.
  2. Look for the NFC toggle.
  3. Turn it ON.

Small tip: On some models (S22/S23/S24), the toggle may be hidden — you may need to tap the three-dot icon → Edit Buttons to find it.

2. Make Sure Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet Is Set as Default

Set default payment app

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap Apps → Default Apps.
  3. Select Tap & Pay.
  4. Choose Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet.

Note

If both payment apps are installed, Samsung Wallet sometimes overrides Google Wallet, causing terminals to not detect your cards.

3. Fix the "Card Not Eligible" or "Verification Failed" Error

Try these steps:

  • Remove the card from your Wallet app.
  • Restart your Samsung phone.
  • Add the card again and complete verification.

For U.S. banks like Chase, Bank of America, Capital One — verification requires a text message; if the text doesn’t arrive, turn off Wi-Fi calling and try again.

4. Clear Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet Cache

Clear app cache

  1. Go to Settings → Apps.
  2. Search for Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet.
  3. Tap Storage.
  4. Press Clear Cache (not Clear Data).

Personal note

Clearing cache fixes payment failures more often than you’d expect — especially after major One UI updates.

5. Check if NFC Mode Is Set Correctly

  1. Go to Settings → Connections.
  2. Tap NFC and Contactless Payments.
  3. Select Contactless Payments → choose your wallet app.
  4. Make sure Use while phone is locked is enabled.

Why this matters

Many terminals reject payment if the screen is off or locked incorrectly.

6. Try a Different Terminal (Real World Tip)

I’ve had multiple cases in U.S. stores (Walmart, Target, CVS, 7-Eleven) where one terminal didn’t detect NFC but the next lane worked instantly. Not every terminal gets firmware updates regularly.

7. Remove Magnetic or Thick Phone Cases

MagSafe-style cases, metal plates, and thick rugged cases block NFC coils. If payments start working after removing the case, you’ve found the culprit.

8. Reset Network & NFC Settings

  1. Go to Settings → General Management.
  2. Tap Reset.
  3. Select Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & Bluetooth.

This refreshes NFC communication without deleting personal data.

9. Re-Insert SIM or Try eSIM Activation Again

On some U.S. carriers (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon), wallet verification fails if SIM services glitch. Removing and reinserting the SIM — or toggling eSIM off/on — often fixes this.

10. When Hardware Might Be the Issue

If NFC stopped working after a drop, the NFC coil near the back cover may be damaged. Before assuming hardware failure, try:

  • Restarting in Safe Mode
  • Testing with Samsung Members → Diagnostics → NFC

If NFC payments still fail after completing all steps, it’s usually either a Wallet app verification issue or a damaged NFC coil — both identifiable through the quick tests above. These steps cover 99% of common Samsung payment issues in the U.S. and Canada.

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