What is transaction processing mode and how to enable or disable (formerly called test mode) - New Experience (2.0)
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06/02/2025 16:37 PM
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This article covers the new Authorize.net experience (2.0) and processing mode for the new Merchant Interface. For the classic experience (1.0) please see the support article: What is Invoicing and how to use and configure it? - Classic Experience (1.0).
For information on how to identify what version of Authorize.net you are on, please see: How to identify what version of Authorize.net you are on and switching between them? - Classic (1.0) and New Experience (2.0)This article explains how to enable or disable Transaction Processing Mode, a feature that allows you to test your website or software implementation without processing live transactions.
All new Authorize.net accounts have processing mode set to disabled by default.
Transaction Processing Mode:
- Disabled: When disabled, you or your developer can test your website/software implementation without submitting live transactions. Transactions will not be saved to the database or be viewable in search results or reports.
- Enabled: When enabled, all transactions received will be processed, and transaction fee charges will apply.
Processing Mode Disabled Indicators:
When your account has processing mode disabled, each page in the Merchant Interface will display a blue banner stating: Transaction Processing Mode is disabled. Enable Transaction Processing Mode in Settings to process real transactions.
Email receipts generated by Authorize.net will also indicate whether they were submitted in Test Mode, by having this text at the top of the receipt:
************* TEST MODE *************
Differences between Processing Modes:
- When Processing Mode is off:
- Customer Email Receipts
- Will show as from noreply@mail.testauthorize.net
- Email Receipts will only be emailed when the email address used in the test mode transaction matches a user on the account.
- A special note at the top notifying the recipient that the email is from a test system:
- PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EMAIL IS SENT FROM A TEST ENVIRONMENT; NO ACTION IS REQUIRED, AND YOU SHOULD NOT REPLY, MAKE ANY PAYMENTS, CLICK ANY URLS/LINKS, OR CONTACT ANY NUMBERS/EMAILS PROVIDED.
- Merchant Email Receipts
- Will show as from noreply@mail.testauthorize.net
- Customer Email Receipts
- When Processing Mode is on:
- Customer Email Receipts
- Will show as from noreply@mail.authorize.net
- No restriction on when customer email receipts are sent.
- No additional note the email receipt.
- Merchant Email Receipts
- Will show as from noreply@mail.authorize.net
- Customer Email Receipts
How to Enable or Disable Transaction Processing Mode:
- Sign in to the Merchant Interface.
- Be on or switched into the New Merchant Interface (2.0)
- Click Account from the navigation section on the left.
- Click Account and API Settings.
- Go to Transaction Processing Mode under Security Settings.
- Use the toggle switch on the right to enable or disable.
If your account is still in the process of obtaining a Merchant Account or if you have applied for a Gateway Only account, additional steps may be needed before the system will allow Processing Mode to be enabled. Steps and instructions on the Processing Mode page will be provided on what steps and actions have to be taken based on your account status.
Billing:
You will incur transaction fee charges when Processing Mode is turned on.
Website and Software Integration:
It is also possible to be in Processing Mode Disabled (in Test Mode) through your website/software integration, which will override the Merchant Interface settings described above. To disable Test Mode through your website, you will need to work with your developer or integration provider to modify any code/setting to turn Test Mode off.
An alternative to using Test Mode on your live/production account is signing up for a Sandbox/Developer account that is in a test/sandbox environment that has no connection to your live/production account. These accounts are mean for testing web site and API integrations to Authorize.net.
To sign up go to the Authorize.net Developer Center and Getting Started to create a sandbox account.
Processing Mode FAQs:
- Do I need to provide any additional information to switch to processing (live) mode?
- If your account is still in the process of obtaining a Merchant Account or if you have applied for a Gateway Only account, additional steps may be needed before the system will allow Processing Mode to be enabled.
- If you have applied for a Gateway and Merchant Account, the application for your merchant account must be completed and connected to your Processor account before Processing Mode can be turned on.
- If this has not been completed you may encounter an error of: Unanticipated error occurred. Please try again later.
- For Payment Gateway Only accounts, you must provide and configure your Merchant Account's processor information into your Authorize.net account.
- If you have applied for a Gateway and Merchant Account, the application for your merchant account must be completed and connected to your Processor account before Processing Mode can be turned on.
- If your account is still in the process of obtaining a Merchant Account or if you have applied for a Gateway Only account, additional steps may be needed before the system will allow Processing Mode to be enabled.
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