--- title: Resolving Common Payment Instruction File (PIF) Errors description: When submitting a Payment Instruction File (PIF), errors may prevent successful processing. This guide outlines the most common PIF errors (excluding duplicate file issues), explains their meaning, an --- [Skip to content](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/resolving-common-pif-payment-instruction-file-errors#main-content) [![PW Logo\_light\_Green\_ White](https://help.paymentworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20PaymentWorks%20Brand%20Guidelines/PW%20Logo_light_Green_%20White.png?width=200&height=34&name=PW%20Logo_light_Green_%20White.png)](https://www.paymentworks.com/) - [Help Center](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/how-to-use-the-paymentworks-knowledge-base) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Help Center](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/how-to-use-the-paymentworks-knowledge-base) - [Contact Support](https://help.paymentworks.com/contactsupport) [Contact Support](https://help.paymentworks.com/contactsupport?hsLang=en) Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Center](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base?hsLang=en) 2. [Payer Knowledge Base](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en) 3. [Payments & Invoicing](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#payments-invoicing) # Resolving Common Payment Instruction File (PIF) Errors When submitting a **Payment Instruction File (PIF)**, errors may prevent successful processing. This guide outlines the most common PIF errors (excluding duplicate file issues), explains their meaning, and provides clear steps to resolve them. A member of the **Payment Operations** team will contact you to assist with troubleshooting if needed. However, we encourage you to follow this guide to resolve errors proactively on your own. Please look at the [Resolving Duplicate Payment Instruction File (PIF) Submission Errors](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/resolving-duplicate-payment-instruction-file-pif-submission-errors?hsLang=en) article for duplicate file handling. ### **Common Payment Instruction File Issues & Resolutions** --- #### **Missing Payee Routing/Account Information:**  One or more payment entries are missing a routing number, account number, or both. #### **How to Resolve:** 1. Update the file to include the missing **routing** and/or **account number**, or remove the affected payment. 2. Re-submit the corrected PIF. --- #### **Hash Total Discrepancy:** The **Hash Total** value in the file does not match the calculated total from the payment data. #### **How to Resolve:** 1. Review the payment entries and recalculate the **Hash Total**. 2. Update the **Hash Total** field in the file. 3. Re-submit the updated file. --- #### **Non-ASCII Character Detected:** The file contains invalid characters, such as non-ASCII or invisible characters (e.g., tab {TAB}). #### **How to Resolve:** 1. Scan the file for special or invisible characters. 2. Replace them with standard **ASCII** characters. 3. Save and re-submit the cleaned file. --- #### **Entry/Addenda Count Discrepancy:** The **Entry** or **Addenda** count in the file does not match the actual number of records. #### **How to Resolve:** 1. Recalculate the **Entry/Addenda** totals based on actual content. 2. Update the file with the correct counts. 3. Re-submit the corrected PIF. --- #### **Invalid Routing Number:**  A payment entry contains an unrecognized or misformatted routing number. #### **How to Resolve:** 1. Verify the routing number in your ERP. 2. Confirm bank details with the payee. 3. If the payee (Vendor) is registered via **PaymentWorks**, direct them to update their **banking information** through the platform. 4. Remove the affected payment from the current file. 5. Reissue the payment in a future file after the payee has updated their information. --- #### **Missing Payment Date:** The file does not include a required payment execution date. #### **How to Resolve:** 1. Add the **payment date** field. 2. Format the date as YYYY-MM-DD. --- #### **Bank Rejected File:** The file was transmitted but rejected by the bank. #### **How to Resolve:** 1. **Review the feedback provided by your bank.** 2. Correct the issue based on their guidance. 3. Re-submit the updated file through **PaymentWorks**. #### **⚠️Important Notes** - Always follow your **bank’s file specification** and naming conventions. - Review all **error messages** displayed in the **PaymentWorks UI** before taking action. - A **file format error** may also be referred to as a **Parsing Error** in system messages. - Submit files **before your bank’s cutoff time** to avoid processing delays. --- #### **Training and Additional Resources** For more information on uploading a Payment Instruction file and the payment file status definitions, check out these articles:  - [Resolving Duplicate Payment Instruction File (PIF) Submission Errors](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/resolving-duplicate-payment-instruction-file-pif-submission-errors?hsLang=en) **PaymentWorks is here to help.** If you have questions or need assistance while the Payment Operations team investigates your file errors, feel free to [submit a support ticket](https://help.paymentworks.com/contactsupport?hsLang=en)—we’re happy to assist you. - [Payee Knowledge Base](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Verification Process & Document Uploads](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#verification-process-document-uploads) - [Account Login & Updates](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#account-login-updates) - [Invoices & Payments](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#invoices-payments) - [Invitations & Customer Registrations](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#invitations-customer-registrations) - [Account Creation & Onboarding](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#account-creation-onboarding) - [Payee Profile](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#payee-profile) - [Manage Your Data](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#manage-your-data) - [Customer Table & Quick Connect](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#customer-table-quick-connect) - [Payment Methods & Bank Information](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#payment-methods-bank-information) - [FAQs](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#faqs) - [Payer Knowledge Base](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Product Releases](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#product-releases) - [Profile Manager](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#profile-manager) - [Platform Updates & Announcements](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#platform-updates-announcements) - [Sending Invitations & Reviewing Payee Status](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#sending-invitations-reviewing-payee-status) - [New Vendor Registrations & Updates](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#new-vendor-registrations-updates) - [Supplier & Invoice File Uploads](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#supplier-invoice-file-uploads) - [Payments & Invoicing](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#payments-invoicing) - [Training Videos](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#training-videos) - [SSO/Login & User Permissions](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#sso-login-user-permissions) - [Implementation & Configuration](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#implementation-configuration) - [Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#frequently-asked-questions-faqs) - [Developer Portal](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/developer-portal?hsLang=en) - [Contact Support](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/contact-support?hsLang=en) - [Help Center](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/how-to-use-the-paymentworks-knowledge-base) - [Contact Support](https://help.paymentworks.com/contactsupport) [![PW Logo\_light\_Green\_ White](https://help.paymentworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20PaymentWorks%20Brand%20Guidelines/PW%20Logo_light_Green_%20White.png?width=200&height=34&name=PW%20Logo_light_Green_%20White.png "PW Logo_light_Green_ White")](http://paymentworks.com) Copyright © 2025, PaymentWorks