How to fix Xbox billing errors [COMPLETE GUIDE]

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Key notes

  • Sometimes, error codes are not so much related to technical issues, but to a more trivial matter. Such is the case with Xbox billing errors.
  • If you happened to run into error codes 80153021 or 801613FB, then you already know they are related to billing information. What you probably don't know is how to get rid of them - find out by following our complete guide below.
  • Purchasing games might not be what is bugging you at all. We know that errors come in many shapes and sizes, that's why we created the Xbox error codes page. Make sure to go there if you're dealing with an error instance on your console and secure your troubleshooting.
  • Speaking about troubleshooting, you should also take a look at our Xbox troubleshooting hub for detailed fixes and advanced tips that are sure to work and are also easy to implement.
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You can purchase all sorts of content online with your Xbox such as movies, games and DLCs. Unfortunately, certain errors can appear while buying multimedia content online, and you might get Xbox billing error on your console.

Billing errors can prevent you from buying content online, but there are few ways to fix these types of errors.

How can I fix Xbox billing errors?

1. Change your billing information

If you get a billing error on your Xbox, you might want to try changing your billing information. You can easily do that using your web browser or directly from your Xbox One or Xbox 360. To change the billing information in your web browser, follow these steps:

  1. Sign in to your Microsoft account in any web browser.
  2. Go to Payment & billing and select Billing info.
  3. Now select Edit profile and make the necessary changes to your billing address.

To change your billing information on Xbox One, do the following:

  1. Scroll left from the Home screen to open the Guide.
  2. Choose Settings > All Settings.
  3. In Account section select Payment & billing.
  4. Now choose Change billing address.
  5. Enter your billing information. Keep in mind that you can skip the billing information that you don’t want to update by pressing B on the controller and choosing Next.
  6. Now select Save info to save changes.

You can also change your billing information on Xbox 360 by following these steps:

  1. Make sure that you’re signed in to your console.
  2. Go to Settings and select Account.
  3. Choose Manage Payment Options.
  4. Select the payment option that you want to update.
  5. Update the billing information.
  6. Select OK to save changes.

After making the necessary changes to your billing information try to make the purchase again.

2. Check the status of Xbox Live services

Xbox Live relies on certain services in order to run properly and if one of those services isn’t running, you might encounter all sorts of billing errors. To check the status of Xbox Live services, simply visit the Xbox website.

If the Purchase and Content Usage service is up and running you should be able to make purchases online. If this service is down, you’ll have to wait until Microsoft fixes the issue.

3. Make sure that you don’t have any balance due

Billing errors such as 80153021 can appear if you have a balance due on your account. If that’s the case, you won’t be able to make any purchases until you settle the balance due. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Sign in to your Microsoft account on any web browser.
  2. Navigate to the Services & subscriptions page.
  3. Select Pay now option and follow the instructions on the screen to pay the balance due.

After settling the balance due check if the error is resolved.

4. Check if your country or region matches your PayPal country or region

If you recently moved to a different location or country, you might experience billing errors on your console until you change your region settings. Changing your region on Xbox One is simple, and you can do it by following these steps:

  1. Sign in to your Xbox One.
  2. On the Home screen scroll left to open the Guide.
  3. Select Settings > All Settings.
  4. Select System.
  5. Now choose Language & location.
  6. Select a new location from the list and then choose Restart now.

To change your region on Xbox 360, do the following:

  1. Sign in to your console.
  2. Go to Settings and choose System.
  3. Select Console Settings.
  4. Choose Language and Locale > Locale.
  5. Select the desired locale.

As you can see, changing your region or locale is simple, but there are certain limitations that you should know about. Firstly, you can change your region only once every three months, so keep that in mind.

Also, you won’t be able to change your region if your account is currently suspended or if you have a balance due on your Xbox Live subscription.

You should also know that money from your Microsoft account won’t be moved if you choose to change your region, therefore be sure to spend it. Lastly, certain services might not be available in some regions, so keep that in mind.

5. Contact your bank or financial institution

Sometimes you can get billing errors due to problems with your credit card. It can happen that your card is not activated or that it’s not authorized for online purchases or automatic billing.

If that’s the case, you should contact your financial institution and ask them if they can fix the problem.

6. Try to perform the purchase at a different time

You might get billing errors if you made several purchase requests that were declined. In addition, your card might be flagged as a suspicious payment option and that can lead to these types of problems.

Using an incorrect region can also cause billing errors to appear, and if that’s the case, wait for 24 to 48 hours and try to make your purchase again.

7. Use Xbox gift card

If you’re having billing errors, you might want to consider using an Xbox gift card. Simply purchase it and add it to your account. Keep in mind that not all purchases work with Xbox gift cards, so be sure to check if your desired purchase can work with a gift card.

8. Add a new payment option

If you have problems with billing information errors, you might want to consider using PayPal to purchase content online. To add a new payment option on your Xbox One, do the following:

  1. Sign in to your console with a Microsoft account.
  2. On the Home screen scroll left to open the Guide.
  3. Select Settings > All Settings.
  4. Select Account > Payment & billing.
  5. Select Add credit card or Add PayPal and follow instructions on the screen.
  6. Follow the instructions on the screen and enter the necessary information.

To add a new payment option on Xbox 360, do the following:

  1. Make sure that you’re signed in to your Microsoft account.
  2. Go to Settings > Account.
  3. Choose Manage Payment Options.
  4. Select one of the following options: Add Credit Card or Add PayPal and follow the instructions on the screen.

9. Check if the credit card information is valid

Billing error can occur if your credit card information isn’t correct or if your credit card is expired. To update a payment option on Xbox One, do the following:

  1. Sign in to your console with a Microsoft account.
  2. Scroll left on the Home screen to open the Guide.
  3. Select Settings > All Settings.
  4. Select Account > Payment & billing.
  5. Scroll down to the payment option that you want to update and select Edit.
  6. Update payment option details and select Save info once you’re done.

To do this on Xbox 360, follow these steps:

  1. Sign in to your Microsoft account on your console.
  2. Go to Settings > Account Management.
  3. On the Account Management page, select Manage Payment Options.
  4. Navigate to Your Memberships and select the membership you want to update.
  5. Select Change Payment Options.
  6. Optional: You might have to select Modify Membership to select the membership plan.
  7. After that, enter the new payment option and select OK.

You can also change a payment option on your Microsoft account in any web browser if these methods don’t work for you. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Sign in to your Microsoft account with any web browser.
  2. Go to Payment & billing and select Payment options.
  3. Choose a payment method and select Edit info.
  4. Now change the desired information and click Next.

10. Check if the prepaid card is activated

Users reported billing error 801613FB while using a prepaid card, and to fix this error you need to check if the prepaid card is activated.

According to users, activation of the prepaid card can last up to 24 hours. If the problem still persists after 24 hours, we suggest that you contact the retailer and check if your card is activated.

11. Check your internet connection

Sometimes billing errors can occur due to problems with your Internet connection, but you should be able to fix them simply by testing your Internet connection. To do that on Xbox One, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings and select Network.
  2. In the Troubleshooting section select Test network connection option.
  3. After the scan is completed, select the Test multiplayer connection option.

To test your connection on Xbox 360, do the following:

  1. Press the Guide button and go to Settings.
  2. Select System Settings > Network Settings.
  3. Select Wired Network or the name of your wireless network.
  4. Select Test Xbox Live Connection.

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12. Delete and download your profile again

You might be able to fix some billing errors simply by removing and downloading your Xbox profile. This is a simple procedure and to do it on Xbox One you need to follow these steps:

  1. Scroll left on the Home screen to open the Guide.
  2. Choose Settings > All Settings.
  3. Select Account > Remove accounts.
  4. Now choose the account that you want to remove.
  5. Select Remove to confirm.
  6. After you’re done, choose Close.

To add an account on Xbox One, do the following:

  1. Scroll left on the Home screen to open the Guide.
  2. On the Sign in tab move all the way down and select Add & manage.
  3. Enter your Microsoft account login information and select Enter.
  4. Read Microsoft Service Agreement and Privacy Statement and select I Accept.
  5. Follow the instructions on the screen to configure your Sign-in & Security preferences.

To remove your Xbox account on Xbox 360, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings > System.
  2. Select Storage > Add Devices.
  3. Choose Gamer Profiles.
  4. Select the Xbox Live profile that you want to delete.
  5. Choose Delete > Delete Profile Only. This option will delete your profile but it will keep your saved games and achievements.

To download your Xbox Live profile on Xbox 360, do the following:

  1. Press the Guide button.
  2. Select Download Profile option.
  3. Enter your Microsoft account login information.
  4. Select the storage device for your profile.

After deleting and redownloading your profile check if the billing error still appears.

13. Clear your cache

You can fix some billing errors simply by cleaning your cache. To do that on Xbox 360, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Guide button on the controller.
  2. Go to Settings > System Settings.
  3. Select Storage or Memory.
  4. Select any storage device and press Y on the controller.
  5. Choose Clear System Cache.
  6. When the confirmation message appears, select Yes.
  7. Restart your console.

On Xbox One this procedure is a bit different, but you can do it by following these steps:

  1. Press the Power button on your console and hold it until the console turns off.
  2. Unplug the power cable from the console.
  3. Press the Power button on the console few times to drain the battery completely.
  4. Connect the power cable to the console again.
  5. Wait until the light on power brick changes from white to orange.
  6. Press the Power button again to turn on your console.

After clearing the cache, check if the billing error is resolved.

Billing errors can prevent you from purchasing online content, but you should be able to fix these errors simply by using one of our solutions. Let us know what worked for you in the comments section below.

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