HSBC Banking App Down? Fixes You Can Try for ‘err03’

HSBC App Not Working: Customers Face Major Outage

HSBC App Down: Thousands of HSBC customers were left unable to access their mobile banking app and online banking on August 27, 2025, due to a widespread outage. Users reported being locked out with error messages such as “err03”, preventing them from checking balances, transferring money, or making payments.

According to outage tracker DownDetector, issues began around 11:00 AM UK time and peaked shortly after, with over 4,000 complaints logged within an hour. The disruption also affected First Direct, HSBC’s digital-only subsidiary.

HSBC’s Official Response

HSBC acknowledged the technical glitch on its social media accounts, saying:

“We understand some customers are having issues accessing our digital banking services. We’re sorry for the inconvenience and are urgently investigating the matter.”

The bank also directed users to its Service Status page, which confirmed disruptions to mobile and online banking, while ATM withdrawals, card transactions, and in-branch services remained unaffected.

Customer Impact and Complaints

The outage caused significant frustration, with many customers sharing experiences online:

• Payments declined at shops and online platforms.

• Account balances not showing in the app.

• Salary deposits and transfers delayed, causing stress for those with urgent financial obligations.

Several users voiced concerns about missing bill payments and potential late fees due to the outage.

How to Fix or Manage During HSBC Outage

While HSBC works on restoring services, here are expert-backed steps customers can take:

1. Check HSBC’s Service Status Page – For real-time updates on outages.

2. Retry After Clearing Cache – On mobile, clear cache/data or reinstall the app.

3. Switch to Web Banking – If the app fails, try HSBC’s online portal.

4. Use Alternative Methods – ATMs, card payments, and phone banking are still functional.

5. Document Issues – Note error codes, failed transactions, and times for possible compensation claims.

6. Contact Customer Support – Call HSBC directly for urgent payments or workarounds.

Can Customers Claim Compensation?

While banks are not legally obliged to pay compensation for outages, HSBC customers may be eligible if they face direct financial losses such as:

• Missed bill payments leading to late fees.

• Declined mortgage or loan transactions.

• Business losses due to payment failures.

Customers can raise complaints via HSBC, and if unresolved, escalate to the UK Financial Ombudsman Service.

Why Bank Outages Are Increasing

Experts point to rising cybersecurity threats, technical upgrades, and digital dependence as key reasons behind frequent banking outages. For a global bank like HSBC, even a few hours of downtime impacts millions. Regulators, including the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), have previously urged banks to strengthen IT resilience to avoid widespread customer disruption.

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