UPI Server Down on April 12: Transaction Failures Reported on Paytm, PhonePe, and GPay
Nationwide Disruption Hits UPI Services, Users Unable to Make Payments
On Saturday, April 12, 2025, users across India experienced a major outage in UPI (Unified Payments Interface) services. The sudden server downtime affected top digital payment platforms including Paytm, PhonePe, and Google Pay (GPay), leading to failed transactions at grocery stores, malls, restaurants, and more.
With Indiaโs heavy reliance on UPI for daily payments, the disruption triggered a wave of frustration among users who were caught off guard without alternative payment options.
What Happened?
According to Downdetector, a platform that tracks real-time digital service disruptions, over 1,200 reports were logged by midday about UPI failures. Users across various states reported issues like:
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Payment declined without reason -
App freezing or unable to process transactions
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Money debited but not credited
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Timeouts and error messages during transfers
User Reactions on Social Media
Social media platforms flooded with complaints and reactions. Hereโs what some users had to say:
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โStuck at a restaurant no UPI working. This is chaos.โ -
โDigital India is great, but not when UPI crashes on a weekend.โ
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โPaytm, GPay down canโt even pay for auto rides.โ
Hashtags like #UPIDown, #PaytmNotWorking, and #PhonePeFail trended throughout the day.
What Apps Were Affected?
Paytm Google Pay (GPay) PhonePe BHIM App Several bank-specific UPI apps also reported disruptions
Banks such as SBI, HDFC, ICICI, and Axis faced intermittent issues with UPI-linked services.
Why Did UPI Fail?
While no official reason was cited immediately by NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India), experts suggest:
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High server load
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Backend infrastructure error in NPCIโs payment switch
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Possible technical glitch during weekend maintenance
NPCI is expected to release a statement regarding the cause and resolution soon.
What Should You Do Now?
Avoid retrying transactions repeatedly You may be charged or debited without success Use debit/credit cards or cash where available Check your bank app for balance or failed transaction refunds Monitor NPCI or your UPI appโs official Twitter handles for real-time updates Keep screenshots of any failed or pending transactions.
