If you’ve sent a Venmo payment that’s still listed as pending, it can be frustrating and worrisome. There are several reasons why Venmo might not immediately take money from your bank account. Here are 7 possible reasons and 6 ways to try and resolve the issue.
Reasons the Payment is Pending
1. The payment was sent as a bank transfer.
- Venmo offers two types of transfers: bank transfers and instant transfers. Bank transfers can take 1 to 3 business days to process, while instant transfers usually process within 30 minutes. Check if you sent your payment as a bank transfer.
2. The payment was sent on a weekend or bank holiday.
- Venmo payments process on business days. Payments sent on weekends or bank holidays won’t be processed until the next business day. US bank holidays include New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
3. The person you paid doesn’t have a Venmo account.
- If you sent a payment to an email or phone number not associated with a verified Venmo account, the payment will remain pending until the recipient signs up for Venmo.
4. You have an insufficient balance.
- If your account doesn’t have enough funds to cover the payment, it may be pending. Ensure your bank or Venmo balance is sufficient to cover the payment.
5. Venmo is conducting a verification check.
- Large payments or payments to new recipients may trigger verification checks to ensure there is no suspicious activity, causing a delay.
6. Venmo may be having technical issues.
- Sometimes, Venmo experiences technical glitches or undergoes maintenance, causing payments to be pending.
7. There is a problem with your bank’s network.
- If your payment is a bank transfer, it may be pending due to issues with your bank’s network. Check if your bank is experiencing technical problems.
Solutions for Pending Payments
1. Check your account balance.
- Ensure your Venmo or bank balance is sufficient to complete the payment. Add more funds if necessary.
2. Check your bank details in Venmo.
- Verify that your bank details in Venmo are accurate and up to date. Incorrect details can lead to delays.
3. Ask the person you paid to sign up for Venmo.
- If the recipient isn’t a Venmo user, ask them to sign up using the Venmo app to accept the payment.
4. Contact your bank.
- If you’re trying a bank transfer, contact your bank to see if they can provide more information or resolve any issues.
5. Contact Venmo.
- If your bank can’t fix the issue, contact Venmo directly via their contact form, app, or by calling (855) 812-4430.
6. Wait for a resolution.
- Sometimes, you just need to wait. If you sent a bank transfer or made the payment on a weekend or holiday, wait up to three business days to see if the payment processes.
By understanding the reasons why a Venmo payment might be pending and taking the appropriate steps, you can help ensure your payments are processed smoothly and efficiently.





