> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.vortexiq.ai/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Top Decline Reasons, Stax Payments > Top Decline Reasons for Stax Payments stores. Tracked live in Vortex IQ Nerve Centre. How to read it, why it matters, and how to act on it. **Metrics type:** [Supporting Metrics](/nerve-centre/overview#metrics-types-explained) • **Category:** [Payment Gateway](/nerve-centre/connectors#connectors-by-type) ## At a glance > **Top Decline Reasons** is a transaction health metric tracked from Stax Payments data. It surfaces operational signal at the transaction health layer so merchants can spot regressions, opportunities, and structural patterns in their store performance. The card pairs with sibling metrics in the Transaction Health category to build a complete diagnostic picture; cross-reference the related cards listed below for context. | | | | --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **What it counts** | Top Decline Reasons as exposed by the Stax Payments integration. The metric is computed from the latest available data and refreshed on the standard data refresh. | | **Sample type** | Backend API data from Stax Payments, refreshed on the standard data refresh. | | **Why it matters** | The metric appears in the Transaction Health category and complements the sibling cards listed below. Track movement over time to identify regressions or opportunities. | | **Reading the value** | Compare the current period to the prior period to identify direction. Cross-reference siblings for the full diagnostic picture. | | **Currency** | count | | **Time window** | `30D` | | **Alert trigger** | `-` | | **Sentiment key** | `sta_top_decline_reasons` | | **Roles** | owner, finance, operations | ## Calculation Calculated automatically from your Stax Payments data. See the At a glance summary above for what the metric tracks and the worked example below for a typical reading. ## Worked example *A representative reading of **Top Decline Reasons** for a typical merchant on Stax Payments.* The card reports the current period value alongside a comparison against the previous period. Direction matters: rising values may be healthy or concerning depending on the underlying metric. Cross-reference the siblings below to triangulate cause when the value moves outside expected range. For deeper investigation, use Vortex Mind to trace upstream causes; for natural-language exploration, ask Ask Viq. ## Sibling cards merchants should reference together | Card | Why merchants reach for it | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | | [`sta_decline_rate`](/nerve-centre/kpi-cards/stax-payments/decline-rate) | Transaction Health sibling: Decline Rate. | | [`sta_success_rate`](/nerve-centre/kpi-cards/stax-payments/success-rate) | Transaction Health sibling: Success Rate. | | [`sta_threedsecure_abandon_rate`](/nerve-centre/kpi-cards/stax-payments/3ds-abandonment-rate) | Transaction Health sibling: 3DS Abandonment Rate. | | [`sta_top_payment_methods`](/nerve-centre/kpi-cards/stax-payments/top-payment-methods) | Transaction Health sibling: Top Payment Methods. | | [`sta_avg_settlement_days`](/nerve-centre/kpi-cards/stax-payments/avg-settlement-time) | Settlement sibling: Avg Settlement Time (days). | ## Reconciling against the vendor's own dashboard **Where to look in Stax Payments's own dashboard:** The Stax Payments dashboard surfaces this metric (or its components) under the relevant report section. Confirm period boundaries and filter settings match the Vortex IQ profile to reconcile cleanly. **Why the Vortex IQ value may legitimately differ:** | Reason | Direction | What to do | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------- | ------------------------ | | **Period boundary.** Vortex IQ uses 30-day rolling by default; vendor dashboards may use calendar periods. | Variable | Match the period range. | | **Time zone.** Vendor uses account time zone; Vortex IQ aligns to merchant reporting time zone. | Marginal | Confirm time zone match. | | **Filter scope.** Profile-level filters (channel, B2B, test orders) may narrow the Vortex IQ view. | Variable | Match filter settings. | **Cross-connector reconciliation:** complement with sibling cards in the same category for the full diagnostic picture. For divergence investigations, use Vortex Mind. ## Known limitations / merchant FAQs **Q: How often does Top Decline Reasons update?** The card refreshes on the standard data refresh (typically every 30-60 minutes for live integrations). For real-time signals, force a manual refresh from the dashboard. **Q: Why does my Stax Payments dashboard show a different number?** The most common reasons are period-boundary differences (Vortex IQ uses 30-day rolling vs vendor's calendar months), time-zone alignment, and filter scope (profile-level vs vendor's all-account view). Match these settings before assuming a real divergence. **Q: How does Top Decline Reasons relate to other transaction health metrics?** Track this card alongside the siblings listed above to build a complete picture. Single-metric reads can mislead; the diagnostic value is in the cross-reference. **Q: Can I customise the alert threshold?** Yes, alert thresholds are configurable per profile in the Alert Rules tab. Adjust to match your business baseline rather than relying on the generic default. *** ### Tracked live in Vortex IQ Nerve Centre *Top Decline Reasons* is one of hundreds of KPI pulses Vortex IQ tracks across Stax Payments and 70+ other ecommerce connectors. Nerve Centre runs the detection layer; Vortex Mind investigates the cause when something moves; Ask Viq lets you interrogate any number in plain English. [Start for free](https://app.vortexiq.ai/login) or [book a demo](https://www.vortexiq.ai/contact-us) to see this metric running on your own data.