Encrypted buttons fail (in Sandbox)

[PseudoNyhm]

I think I have everything configured correctly, but when I use encrypted button mode, the PayPal Sandbox will not accept it (generic error message "Message 3005"). This happens whether or not I configure my PayPal Website Payment Preferences to require encrypted buttons.

When I look at the source code of my page, I see that s2Member did, indeed, created what looks like an encrypted button (there is a PKCS#7 encrypted string in a hidden field). I'm crypto-savvy, but not familiar with PayPal's API, so I'm not sure how to diagnose further.

Any recommendations as to how I can get encrypted buttons to work? (Also note that everything works splendidly without encryption.)

UPDATE: Just got word from PayPal that encrypted buttons might not work in the Sandbox... seeking further confirmation from PayPal...

[Cristián Lávaque]

Thanks for the update. I look forward to what PayPal tells you later.

[PseudoNyhm]

PayPal reports that the sandbox should work just fine with encrypted buttons. I will double-check my configuration to make sure I've got everything in the Sandbox and s2Member configured correctly...

[PseudoNyhm]

I've triple-checked that my PayPal (Sandbox) and s2Member settings are all OK. When enabling encrypted buttons, paypal fails with a generic "Message 3005" page stating that they are having technical difficulties (which I think is a bogus catch-all when something comes in that it can't deal with).

I have confirmed that when I turn on s2Member encrypted buttons, the page code includes (what would appear to be) a PKCS#7 encrypted string, in place of the plain-text button code.

Encrypted buttons are not accepted by PayPal regardless of the "Block Non-Encrypted Website Payments" setting. PayPal claims the Sandbox should be compatible with encrypted buttons. I have not been able to test this on a live PayPal account (only Sandbox).

Can you test whether encrypted buttons work in Sandbox for you?

[Jason Caldwell]

I can confirm that Encrypted Buttons work ( i.e. can be tested ) in our Sandbox account. That being said, not all Sandbox accounts are created equal; I've seen some discrepancies from one account to the next. If all else fails, you might try creating a new Sandbox account and see if that helps.

[PseudoNyhm]

Thanks for the confirmation. I'll quadruple-check everything and even try another Sandbox before going live.

[Cristián Lávaque]

And if all else sandbox fails, you can try small live transactions.

[PseudoNyhm]

Come to think of it, the failure occurs immediately upon going to PayPal (before you even get a screen showing the terms of the purchase). So, if I switch to a live account, enable encryption, then click the button, I can see if PayPal even accepts the button code. If it does, then I can still decline the subscription (or cancel the subscription if I include a free trial period).

[Jason Caldwell]

For further discussion on this topic, please see:
viewtopic.php?f=36&t=309&p=28461#p28461