How To Fix Google Play Redeem Gift Card Error Code PRS-PGCSEFC-01?

People are facing a strange Gift Card Error when they go ahead with redeeming on Google Play Store. The first such issue was reported on the Google Play Help Support forum in late 2020. The user complained about staring at a message while redeeming a Gift Card Error Code PRS-PGCSEFC-01. He was joined by many afterward with the error code still unable to find a permanent solution from Google.

People have tried all possible means to redeem the gift card and have wasted money too in return. Unfortunately, Google has not released any solution to it except a recommended autobot reply.

Check out a few complaints and the reply

People have tried all possible means to find a way around the Gift Card Error Code PRS-PGCSEFC-01 while redeeming. They have tried all the possible combinations of upper case, lower case, and mixed case. The redemption feature can be located on the sidebar of the Google Play Store Android app.

What is the reason behind Redeem Gift Card Error Code PRS-PGCSEFC-01?

Over a period of a few months, people have found the root cause of the issue. It is a mismatch between the country that issued the redemption card and where the Google Play account was created. For instance, if a gift card is from the USA and the account is in Germany, Redeem Gift Card Error Code PRS-PGCSEFC-01 will pop up. The gift card in US currency must be redeemed in the US only.

The reason lies behind this is Google’s policy. It mandates the gift card to be from the same country where the account holder resides. Maybe the fix lies in resolving transactions between different currencies, the issue lies unattended. Cross-country redemption on Google Play Store is out of scope for the time being.

If you’re encountering the same error within the same country, it could indicate a technical problem like a bug or glitch in the Google Play Store system. To address the Error Code PRS-PGCSEFC-01, you can try the following troubleshooting steps

How to fix Redeem Gift Card Error Code PRS-PGCSEFC-01?

There are a couple of tried and tested workarounds to it. Before you start, ensure the Google Play Store account isn’t a Google Family Link and stop supervision.

Method 1: Clear the cache of the Store app

To delete the cache of Google Play Store, you can follow these steps:

1. Go to your device’s Settings.
2. Scroll down and select “Apps” or “Application Manager” (the name may vary depending on your device).
3. Look for and tap on “Google Play Store” from the list of installed apps.
4. On the App Info page, you will find options like “Force Stop,” “Disable,” and “Storage.” Tap on “Storage.”
5. You should see the “Clear Cache” option. Tap on it to delete the cache of the Google Play Store app.

Deleting the cache can help resolve certain issues and refresh the app’s data. If the problem persists, you can also try clearing the app’s data by selecting the “Clear Data” option on the same page. Keep in mind that clearing the data will remove your preferences and settings within the app, but it may help in resolving more persistent issues.

Method 2: Use a VPN

If it doesn’t work, opt to redeem using VPN. Here is one suggested by a user.

The above workaround is applicable only if you are in a different country from where the Gift Card was purchased.

In case the above workaround did not help you, ensure that GPay details are correct and the account isn’t being denied by Google Family Link. Check out what another user has to say

Method 3: Re-Login to PlayStore

If you have verified all the possible solutions and still could not redeem the gift cards, then the final resort is to sign out of your Google account and re-login. As per Google ensure that it is a Google Play gift card only and the code is correct.

1. Open your phone’s Settings.
2. Navigate to the “Apps” or “Application Manager” section (the exact wording may vary depending on your device).
3. Scroll through the list of installed apps and find “Google Play Store.” Tap on it to open its App Info page.
4. On the App Info page, you will find various options related to the Google Play Store app.
5. Tap on “Force Stop” to forcefully stop the Play Store app.
6. Once you have stopped the Play Store, go back to your home screen or app drawer.
7. Tap on the Google Play Store icon to reopen the app.
8. Inside the Play Store, go to the “Redeem” or “Redeem Gift Card” section.
9. Try to redeem your gift card and check if you are now able to redeem it successfully.

Restarting the Play Store can help resolve temporary issues and refresh its functionality. By following these steps, you can force stop the app and then reopen it to see if the problem with redeeming the gift card has been resolved.

Method 4: Contact Google Playstore Support Team

If none of the above solutions resolve the Error Code PRS-PGCSEFC-01 in Google Play Store, it is indeed advisable to contact the Play Store Support Team for further assistance. They have the expertise to provide specific guidance and troubleshooting steps tailored to your situation. You can reach out to the Play Store Support Team through their official support channels, such as their website, support forums, or customer service contacts. They will be able to investigate the issue more thoroughly and provide you with the necessary guidance to resolve the error.

Share with us which option worked for you and if you found a new solution, drop a note to us so that it can be shared with all the readers.